Armenian Social Welfare Ministry intends to bring illegally paid
family benefits back to budget

YEREVAN, May 5. /ARKA/. People who have illegally got social benefits
in Armenia will have to return this money to the government budget,
Armenian Labor and Social Welfare Minister Arthur Grigoryan said
Thursday after the Cabinet’s regular meeting.

He told journalists that this is a quite large amount of money.

`Substantial reforms are being implemented now in the family benefit
system,’ he said. `Unfortunately, there are many corruption risks
here, and the system needs special attention and reformation.’

The minister said that the ministry has already taken certain steps
and will release its analysis soon.

He said that appropriate legislative changes will be implemented as well.

These amendments will imply punishment for those officials who,
abusing their powers, include persons not eligible to receive benefits
in lists of beneficiaries. -0-

From: A. Papazian