RA Ombudsman: the government must not burden people with its own problems

PanARMENIAN.Net -
Today, during a news conference, RA Ombudsmen Armen Harutyunyan touched upon the most urgent issues in today’s society, specifically noting the increase of gas prices in Armenia. On February 24, RA Ombudsman, accompanied by representatives of NGOs, met with Chairman of RA Public Services Regulatory Commission Robert Nazaryan to discuss the increase of gas prices. “Unfortunately, the dialogue between Nazaryan and NGOs was not successful,” said Armen Harutyunyan, adding that his office does not intend to intervene in that area.



According to him, the experts split into pro and con groups, believing price increase either justified or not. “Once again we are facing the monopoly problem. Lack of civilized market relations gives advantages to the owners of larger business, destroying small and medium ones. With principles of social justice violated, people stop caring about calculations, which do nothing but increase the social burden,” the Armenian Ombudsman added.



Whether the increase of gas prices is justified is of minor importance, as the population has no opportunity to be involved in proper business and earn enough money.



Mr. Harutyunyan urged RA government to form a social package for the population, as even the medium business in Armenia is threatened. “Until recently, we received no complaints from medium business representatives. We do now,” he stressed.



According to the RA Ombudsman, the government must not burden people with its own problems; trying instead to ease the burden as much as it can.