Epress.am News from Armenia
The meeting of the Public Services Regulatory Commission that began at 11 am today was held under chants of "Shame! Shame!" by demonstrators protesting outside the building. Recall, the Commission is discussing the matter of increasing the electricity tariff by 4 AMD, which protestors are hoping to prevent.
As reported by the Epress.am correspondent inside, PSRC Chair Robert Nazaryan repeatedly called for silence; however, those present said it's the noise outside that's disrupting the meeting.
During the meeting, Armenian National Congress MP Aram Manukyan, addressing the Commission representatives, said that, according to his information, Armenia imported electricity from Georgia in 2012–2013. The MP asked for an explanation, underlining that Armenia has always exported electricity. According to him, information and the amount of the imported electricity was never disclosed.
Two members of the Commission made contradictory statements on the matter: Gagik Baghramyan didn't deny Manukyan's claim, stating that the import was seasonal, while Mnatsakan Mnatsakanyan said that Armenia didn't import electricity — the country acted simply as a transit country for supplying electricity to Iran from Georgia.
Given that the Commission justifies the electricity price hike by serious financial problems for companies operating in this sector, those present at today's meeting questioned the high salaries paid by Electric Networks of Armenia — particularly the 4 million AMD (about $,9820 USD) monthly salary received by General Manager Yevgeni Bibin.
Bibin said he wish he could get the amount of salary the media reports he gets. Commenting on the average monthly salary at the company (220,000 AMD, or $540), he said it's a good salary, and they have an interest in their employees' salaries continuing to grow.