Violations Found in Shirak Water Users Association

The police's public relations service reports that operational information was received indicating that the management of the Shirak Water Users Association committed several violations while providing water supply services from 2017 to 2019.

According to preliminary data obtained, it has been ascertained that the management of the Shirak Water Users Association made violations by taking advantage of the possibility of negligence and improper performance of duties by officials from the water committee of the Ministry of Energy Infrastructure and Natural Resources. This was stated in a message released by the police.

According to the known details from the investigation, the management of the company, personally and involving other employees, has violated the terms of the contracts signed with subscribers for water supply services during 2017-2019 by misusing their authority against the interests of the organization. They failed to install metering devices, depriving subscribers of the opportunity to monitor the volumes of supplied irrigation water.

Based on personal or other vested interests, the officials concealed part of the actual volume of 70% water loss occurring during the supply, adding these into the water user fees, and included the data in electronic registers.

Currently, it is known that over 26 million drams have been collected from subscribers for inflated services, while over 31 million drams have been received in state subsidies.

It has also been revealed that the director of the Shirak Water Users Association, being aware that 7 employees registered as pump operators had not attended work and did not fulfill their duties, confirmed false reports of regular attendance and actual work periods, presenting them for payment. According to preliminary data, about 1.5 million drams have been embezzled through mismanagement.

A criminal case has been initiated regarding the incident. An investigation is underway.