Signs of use of administrative resources in regions
On August 1-5, Borjomi Municipality held [1] a youth camp intended for students of the graduating class.
Since August 1, the Ministry of Health & Social Affairs of Adjara started implementing new social programs:
Material assistance for socially vulnerable families [2], which provides monthly material assistance of 200 GEL to socially vulnerable families registered in Adjara.
Material support for families with newborn twins [3], according to which material support for families with newborn twins is increasing. From now on, the ministry will issue 1500 GEL instead of 1000 GEL per twin.
Funding [4] of dental services for disabled persons under 30 years old. Funding includes therapeutic and surgical dental services.
On August 1, the government adopted a resolution [5] approving the beekeeping support program. Within the framework of the program, 50% of the cost of the hives will be financed for beekeepers, not more than 70 GEL per hive, but not more than 5,000 GEL per beneficiary. A total of 2 million GEL is planned to be allocated for the program.
As of July 31, 63,558 individuals' total tax arrears of 361 million GEL had been waived off [6]. The arrears’ write-off process began on June 25, with the adoption of government-initiated amendments [7] to the tax code on May 29. According to the changes, any recognized tax arrears incurred and unpaid before January 1, 2021, including the penalties charged on them, will be totally written off. According to Irakli Kobakhidze, 145 thousand individuals will have their tax arrears of 590 million GEL totally waived off.
It is critical for a healthy and harmonious electoral climate that new state programs of this nature (described above) not be initiated shortly before the elections, because the state candidate/party gets a serious advantage at the expense of taxpayers. Consequently, these decisions can be categorised as election-motivated budgetary spending.
Links
[1] https://kvira.ge/946455
[2] http://adjara.gov.ge/branches/description.aspx?gtid=1234853&gid=3
[3] http://adjara.gov.ge/branches/description.aspx?gtid=1234855&gid=3
[4] http://adjara.gov.ge/branches/description.aspx?gtid=1234856&gid=3
[5] https://matsne.gov.ge/ka/document/view/6241532?publication=0
[6] https://bm.ge/news/63-atas-moqalaqes-361-milioni-laris-sagadasakhado-davalianeba-chamoetsera
[7] https://matsne.gov.ge/ka/document/view/6158656?publication=0#DOCUMENT:1;