Republican Party of Armenia

 A Cabinet sitting was held today, chaired by Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan.

The government passed a decision declaring scarcity of water resources in Ararat, Hrazdan and Akhurian water basins. The Minister of Territorial Administration was instructed to find alternative sources of drinking and irrigation water supply in the aforementioned regions.

The shortage can be addressed based on the report submitted by the Minister of Nature Protection. The scarcity of water resources has caused increased conflict of interest among water users, which in turn has led to lower underground water pressure, especially during he irrigation campaign.

Today’s decision will allow the government to restore the required level of groundwater pressure and mitigate the conflict of interest in water users, as well as to make a better use of limited water supplies.

The proceedings revealed that some of the water users’ concerns had not been reflected in the draft decision. Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan suggested holding an extra consultation on the problem.

The meeting discussed the draft law on border guard communities, which was moved by ANC MP Nikol Pashinyan. The bill defines the “border guard community” concept and envisages a set of benefits for the residents of such communities.

The government suggested that the MP should call of the bill at this point of time and start cooperating with the government in order to have a finalized package sent to the National Assembly.

Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan noted that as initiated by the government in an effort to support border communities, the bill needs to be replenished with reasonable proposals submitted by MPs and serve its purpose. The draft law and the government’s findings will be submitted to the National Assembly in the manner established by law.

The meeting has adopted two resolutions aimed at increasing the effectiveness of state regulation of economic activity, improving the business environment and the removal of legislative barriers to the development of market economy.

The government revoked the decision on the requirement for the managers of major commercial facilities (fairs, trade centers, supermarkets, etc.) to report to tax authorities about the entities engaged in commercial activities in their respective facilities. The decision seeks to reduce the costs incurred by economic entities.

The Government Staff’s National Center for Legislative Regulation SE has looked into the need to enhance the qualifications of precious metal refiners, assayers and hallmarking entities. The meeting adopted a decision on a more transparent qualification test procedure.

Stanford University student, seeker of a bachelor’s degree, Artik-resident Haik Tepanyan was granted a compulsory army service deferment until his graduation before the 2018 summer call-up campaign, while Massachusetts Institute of Technology PhD student, Armavir-resident Armen Mkrtchyan was respectively granted an army service deferment until the 2015 winter conscription campaign.