VIDEO: Water Volumes Recorded in Hectares Instead of Cubic Meters - Irregularities of the 'Aragatsotn' Water Users Company

The Main Department for Combating Organized Crime of the Police of the Republic of Armenia has received operational information indicating that the management of the non-profit 'Aragatsotn' Water Users Company has committed irregularities.

Specifically, the management of the aforementioned company has exploited the negligent attitude of qualified employees of the Republic of Armenia's Water Committee and the opportunities created from the improper execution of the duties imposed by the government's decree on monitoring water supply and usage. They have violated the fundamental requirements of contracts for water supply services signed with subscribers during the periods of 2016-2019. The company’s management, along with other employees, has used their authority in a manner contrary to the interests of the organization and with the intent to cause harm to itself or others.

Instead of recording the volumes of supplied water in cubic meters, they recorded them in hectares without the installation of water meters, thus depriving subscribers of the ability to monitor the volumes of irrigable water supplied. The company has inflated the figures resulting from a 35% natural loss of water by adding these amounts to the revenue of water users.

By including these distorted data in electronic registers and effectively inflating the volumes of services rendered, the balance of receivables owed to the company has been burdened by a total of 654,800,000 AMD, resulting in serious consequences for both the water users and the organization.

A criminal case has been initiated regarding the evident fact of crime.

The investigation is ongoing.