Subsidies Planned for Compensation of Utility Services for the Population in Artsakh

A joint meeting of the Standing Committees on Production and Production Infrastructure and Budgetary and Economic Management took place in the National Assembly of the Republic of Artsakh on February 6, chaired by Vladimir Kasyan and Arthur Harutyunyan.

According to the information department of the National Assembly of Artsakh, government members were invited, led by State Minister and Finance Minister Grigor Martirosyan, along with representatives from 'Artsakhenergo' and 'Artsakhgaz'. The topic of discussion was a support program for the compensation of utility services for the population.

Grigor Martirosyan informed that the budget draft for 2021 includes a subsidy of 12 billion drams. The planned compensation for natural gas consumption during the winter months is set at up to 180 cubic meters, and for electricity consumption, it is up to 500 kWh.

For non-gasified settlements and communities, compensation for electricity is planned up to 1500 kWh, including. The payment for the technical maintenance service of the domestic gas consumption system for 2021 will be fully compensated.

Reports were presented by the Minister of Territorial Administration and the officials from 'Artsakhenergo' and 'Artsakhgaz'. They outlined possible optimal options. The parliamentarians made proposals regarding increasing the subsidy threshold for electricity tariffs from the current 500 kWh to 750 kWh, reducing gas and electricity tariffs instead of compensation, and distributing summer compensation over winter months.

The issue will be discussed further after relevant authorities present the results of their studies.