  President inks law to halt mandatory funded pension  May 26, 2014 - 16:45 AMTPanARMENIAN.Net - President Serzh Sargsyan signed a law to introduce amendments to the law on mandatory funded pensions on Monday, May 26. The amendment stipulate for cancellation of fines for non payment of pension fees till a new legislation is adopted before September 30. Earlier on May 15, Armenia’s National Assembly passed a law at a session to suspend mandatory funded pensions. Under the amendments, Armenian citizens who want to get a refund for the pension fees charged since January 1 2014 should write an application. The amendment provisions are temporary and will be valid until legislation is changed as required by the April 2 Constitutional Court ruling (deadline for the final law is September 30). The bill was passed with 67 votes for and 18 against; 29 MPs abstained from voting. Non-coalition Prosperous Armenia, ARF Dashnaktsutiun and Orinats Yerkir factions said they did not oppose to the bill as it was half a step ahead of the previous law, but abstained from the vote. Orinats Yerkir faction voted against the bill in this second reading, as, the secretary of the faction Hovhannes Margaryan said, the government turned down their proposal to allow citizens that are against the new system withdrawing of payments without application. The Armenian National Congress and the Heritage factions also voted against the amendment.   Top stories The number of state universities will be reduced from 23 to 8 by 2030, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan has said. From September 21 to November 11, a total of 2,820 Russians registered at a place of residence in Armenia, the police has said. The situation on the contact line between Karabakh and Azerbaijan was relatively stable overnight, the Defense Army says. Defense Minister Suren Papikyan has visited the southern Armenian province of Syunik, the Defense Ministry reported on March 18.   Partner news |  Latest news Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals  Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation.Azerbaijan must respect human rights, Scholz tells Aliyev German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called for greater respect for human rights in Azerbaijan.Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year.Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. |
