Levon Zurabyan: Electricity tariffs were to be increased by 3,5 drams
Earlier this week the Electric Networks of Armenia CJSC applied to the Public Services Regulatory Commission (PSRC) with a request to raise electricity tariffs in Armenia by more than 40 percent. The rise of electricity prices was not to make 3,5 drams per one kilowatt, says Armenian lawmaker Levon Zurabyan. “The authorities force our citizens to pay the remaining 15 drams to be able to repay the 250 million dollar debt of the Electric Networks of Armenia,” Zurabyan told reporters on Friday. “It means the authorities do not intend to eliminate corruption in the system. Rather, they want our citizens to pay for their inaction,” said the opposition lawmaker. Levon Zurabyan is going to collect signatures of 44 MPs in order to invite a special session on the possible rise in electricity prices. “I am not sure that we shall succeed but at least we can try,” said the head of the Armenian National Congress (HAK) faction. HAK is also planning to start a series of protests for people to be able to express their disagreement with the new tariffs. The PSRC is to discuss the application of the Electric Networks of Armenia within 90 days and decide how much the electricity prices will be increased. On Thursday evening a number of civil activists gathered at Liberty Square in Yerevan for a “public discussion” and protest against the planned increase in energy tariffs.Participants in the rally said it was another 'whim' of the authorities.
