Chair of the parliamentary Standing Committee on Social Affairs and Republican Party of Armenia MP Hakob R. Hakobyan believes no social crisis is expected in Armenia after April 1, given the rise in gas prices.

At a press conference today, Hakobyan said that the conditions of those citizens under the state aegis will not deteriorate due to the rise in gas tariff.

“When we were confirming the budget, we adopted such a policy that just as many resources will be spent in social areas this year as in 2009,” said Hakobyan.

He shares the view that due to the 6.5% inflation last year, the purchasing power of pensions, salaries and social benefits has been cut. However he thinks that the inflation has not been big for those who are socially vulnerable in Armenian society.

“There’s a difference between a household income of 15,000 AMD and 30,000 AMD. Our approach is as follows: no worries, the family with 30,000 AMD income can get by just as well with 28,000 AMD,” he said, adding that it is important that the state compensate the expenses of low-income individuals, since due to the rise in gas prices, the expenses for these marginalized groups will increase too.

In an effort to prevent social polarization, currently discussions are being held to find out which social group’s expenses the state will compensate and by how much.

According to Hakobyan’s calculations, a four-member family’s expenses will increase by an average of 2,500–3,000 AMD as a result of a rise in gas prices.