Republican Party of Armenia

A Cabinet sitting was held today, chaired by Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan at which the Government approved the 2013 state budget bill.

According to the bill, next year budget revenue will rise to AMD 1.059.1 billion (excluding the receipts from cross-budget transfers). Expenditures will stand at AMD 1.183.1 billion (excluding receipts from cross-budget transfers) and finally, the deficit will be AMD124.0 billion.

The Government adopted a decision on the formation of a welfare housing estate in Charentsavan community of Kotayk province, according to which AMD 75mn will be earmarked to buy accommodation in the former technical school dormitory building for 19 families currently living under emergency conditions. With another decision, the Government provides improved living conditions for 7 households residing in the frontier village of Khachik of Vaiots-Dzor province.

The Executive amended a previous decree relating to 2012 State budget indicators by which it strengthens the social protection of asylum seekers and refugees through simplified rules for adoption of Armenian citizenship and integration into society.

The Ministry of Territorial Administration was allocated AMD 1 billion 300 million for transfer to the Town Hall of Yerevan to install central heating in 36 high and special schools in the capital city. Over the past two years, the government solved the issue of heating pre-school institutions and is now addressing the problem of art and music schools, as well as that of the libraries.

The Cabinet decided to earmark AMD 238mn to restore the following road sections which have suffered from heavy rains and other natural adversities: 5-M, 5-kilometer-long section on the motorway leading to Yerevan-Armavir-Turkish border and 200 meter-long section leading to Bagaran.

The meeting allocated a sum for the preparation of the second conference of rural communities in Jermuk town this October 5-6.

The Government decided that DigiTech - 2012 exposition will be held on October 5 - 7, 2012 at the Yerevan-Expo Exhibition Complex, which is located on the site of Yerevan Research Institute of Mathematical Machines CJSC.

The government allocated AMD 8.2mn to organize and hold a gala event dedicated to the Teacher’s Day.

At the end of the sitting, the head of government referred to the issue of Indian buffalo meat imports that has been speculated recently by some political forces (see under a separate chapter).