Armenian gov’t applies unique saving policy

/By Azernews/

By Gunay Camal

While life is quote dark for ordinary people in Armenia uploaded with thoughts how to earn money for tomorrow, it is quote smooth for state and government officials living without any disturbing burden.

The government of Armenia has recently announced a policy of saving to somehow cut the budget expenses and slowdown the economic crisis reigning in the country.

But as the Armenian media reports, the more the government urges to save the more cases of undue wastage revealed.

In May, Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan said the government will shift to a more saving regime, though the budget had been approved already. "We should curb that expenses where possible, for instance, transport costs of official trips, expenses on representation, spending on the service of official cars, etc.," Abrahamyan said, urging to shift to economy class services.

"The government has enough political will to implement all the necessary measures," the Prime Minister stressed, but not all ministers seem to hear the news.

Only a month after instructions of the Prime Minister on June 14, the Defense Ministry booked for Minister Seyran Ohanyan first class ticket cost 965,000 drams (over $2,000) for his two-day visit to Moscow.

And now, no matter what the arguments and justifications the Defense Ministry voices, the result remains the same: Seyran Ohanyan put himself above all and is not going to obey the rules, because already accustomed to comfortable conditions.

Almost the same situation is observed in other ministries. The government has recently announced a cut of 800 official cars, which was expected to be a serious signal for the official. However, it turns out that the minister for territorial administration and development minister, David Lokyan, cannot use an ordinary vehicle. The minister was in an urgent need of something expensive and high quality.

In late May, David Lokyan announced that no reduction will be in the staff of his ministry, but instead the number of employees will be increased.

He stated that to optimize the fleet of the ministry’s motor vehicles four cars were reduced. But it turns out that the "economical Armenia" is generous enough to provide Lokyan with car LEXUS GX 4.6 GAS worth 16 million drams ($33,550).

Minister-Chief of Government Staff David Harutyunyan explained the purchase of the luxury car with the need to visit remote areas, while in social media Armenians “thanked” the minister for not buying “helicopter” and saving money.

As for saving regime, ordinary Armenians suggest to rename it into the “regime of appropriateness” and apply it for preferred and ordinary people seperately.