ArmInfo. The gas and electricity tariff policy will be revised in Armenia, Armenian Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan said at the Government's sitting on September 15. "I suggest that the Public Services Regulatory Commission, Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, Ministry of Labor and Social Issues should jointly discuss and submit proposals on revision of the gas and electricity tariff policy," Karapetyan said, noting the matter concerns possible reduction of the tariffs for vulnerable public strata. However, this will happen at the expense of other consumers. Tariff policy revision will also cover agriculture and processing industry. These measures will not be implemented with the state budget funds. When commenting on the Prime Minister's instruction, Chairman of the Union of Manufacturers and Businessmen of Armenia Arsen Ghazaryan said that the tariffs significantly influence the prime cost, especially in agriculture and processing industry. So, the fulfillment of the Prime Minister's instruction will have a positive effect on both social life and business in Armenia, he noted.
To recall, according to the watchdog's decision adopted on June 24, both the day and night tariffs of electricity were reduced for ultimate consumers by 2.58 drams or by 5.9% to 46.20drams (from 48.78drams) and 36.20drams (from 38.78drams) respectively. The decision came into force on August 1. On May 31, the Public Services Regulatory Commission of Armenia (PSRC) made a decision on changes in the gas tariffs. The tariff for households consuming up to 10 thsd cu m of gas per month was reduced from 156 to 146.7 AMD per 1 cu m. The gas tariff for the subscribers consuming over 10 thsd cu m of gas reduced from 276.98 to 257.56 USD in AMD equivalent. Nevertheless, the gas and electricity tariffs in Armenia remain the highest in the region.