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The parliament debated the issue of the election of the member of the Public Services Regulatory Commission (PSRC) of the Republic of Armenia. The NA Civil Contract Faction nominated Sergey Aghinyan’s candidacy in the vacant position of the member of the RA Public Services Regulatory Commission.

The deputy of the Faction Tsovinar Vardanyan presented the candidate’s biography.

“Sergey Aghinyan was born in Yerevan, in 1977. In 1994-1998 he studied in RA Polytechnic University, received Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, served in the Armed Forces. From 2000 he worked in the PSRC,” Tsovinar Vardanyan informed and asked her colleagues to vote in the candidate’s favour.

Sergey Aghinyan presented the problems demanding prior solution of the public services sphere, touched upon the further works and approaches. He noted that the sphere has economic, political significance and sounding. According to him, the Public Services Regulatory Commission should at best balance the interests of the citizen, entity and the state.

“In the last two years I work as an international volunteer expert, present the experience of the Republic of Armenia in the sphere of the PSRC,” Sergey Aghinyan noted.

The candidate referred to the investments, reforms made in the sphere of energy, spoke about the rise in the water tariff and the new challenges of the Commission.

The deputy of the Civil Contract Faction Sergey Bagratyan inquired from the PSRC member candidate if one kilowatt energy transit sum of money is 20 drams. The MP inquired also if, an alternative to Veolia Jur/Water CJSC is possible which will ensure competitive situation in the sphere in order the possible change of the tariff is visible

“At the level of distribution, yes, one kilowatt of energy is 20 drams, and the transportation – is 2 drams,” Sergey Aghinyan said.

According to the candidate, the RA water system was given to Veolia Jur CJSC by rent, it was elected in competitive way, proposing the lowest price at that time.

Sisak Gabrielyan’s question related to the sale of the citizen’s produced energy.

“Is it possible that the consumer can sell other consumer’s energy,” the MP inquired, in response to which, Sergey Aghinyan said that it is also one of the important reforms of the PSRC. According to the candidate of the PSRC member, the consumer will pay only the money of moving the electricity: the relations between the sides will not be regulated in any way.

Babken Tunyan noted many citizens apply to him on price increase in electricity, water and gas tariff, on damaged technique, and he readdresses all question to the PSRC. Babken Tunyan touched upon to the fact that one percent of the PSRC annual budget, which is 8 million drams, is directed to the rise of the level of education of the NGOs. The MP inquired in raising the public awareness providing that part of the budget to it.

“We should be active on awareness; I share your opinion. We should better and much work, but ensuring the level of education of the NGOs is also very important, the candidate of the PSRC member Sergey Aghinyan said, answering the MP’s question.

Babken Tunyan underscored, reacting that spending 8 million drams on several organizations is a drop in the sea, which is lost, and that sum of money is possible to use elsewhere, will bring bigger result. The MP also did not remember any big project or change, which refers to a big number of people, where the organization being engaged with the consumers’ interests will have united position.

Babken Tunyan also opined that this Q&A session is a good occasion in order the citizens will be informed that if they have problems with the Electric Networks of Armenia, Gazprom Armenia, Veolia Jur CJSCs, the companies working in communication sphere, then they can apply to the PSRC, as the latter is responsible for all those problems.