Wednesday, June 3 2015 08:42

Republican Party deputy Samvel Farmanyan has told ArmInfo journalist that "Electric Networks of Armenia" CJSC's arguments on energy rate increase are rather flimsy. 

The June 2 closed meeting covered issues on ENA's application on energy rate increase. The Armenian society is rather concerned over this prospect. This and the comparative study of energy rates in various countries, the company's unreasonable and excessive expenditures, as well as the heavy losses in the sphere have been considered. 

According to Farmanyan, the situation is of both socio-economic and political character. Both the ENA and Gasprom-Armenia are Russian companies. Every single rate increase causes public embarrassment leading to anti-Russian public sentiments. "I believe companies' management teams should consider this when taking decisions", said Farmanyan.  
To note, on June 2 Republican Part faction and heads of relevant bodies of the sphere held a closed meeting at National Assembly RA. ArmInfo's source in RPA informs that heads of Public Services Regulatory Commission (PSRC) of Armenia Robert Nazaryan and "Electric Networks of Armenia" CJSC Yevgeni Bibin respectively got engaged in thrived arguments. Republican deputies and heads of competent authorities blamed Bibin and the ENA for unreasonable expenses. However, Bibin was not even trying to remain silent or feign any excuse. Quite the opposite, he was rather determined and made it clear that part of the so-called "unreasonable expenses" was fobbed off on ENA. Those who are now blaming the company for these expenses are well aware of the situation and have something to do with it. He has made it clear he is not going to take full responsibility for the current situation. He can shed some light on the source of these "unreasonable expenses" if required. ArmInfo's source informs that neither the deputies nor the officials liked that statement. They did hope to throw the ENA under the bus. Reps of the governing Party decided to hold the June 12 discussions behind closed doors given that the situation might get out of hand and the society can find out a different side of the reality. "The decision is still to be taken, yet everything is heading in that direction", said our source. He has also added that the PSRC will only uphold the ENA's claim in part - the energy rate will by increased by 7 AMD instead of 17. This means that daytime energy will cost 50 AMD versus the current 41.85 AMD.