Human Rights Committee supports opposition

The Human Rights Committee in the Parliament of Georgia has supported the draft law initiated by the European Georgia opposition, envisaging increased financial and other support for the Internally Displaced People (IDPs).

The bill was drafted by Elene Khoshtaria, the European Georgia party’s mayoral candidate in Tbilisi, and former Tbilisi Mayor Zurab Tchiaberashvili.

If finally supported by Parliament, the draft will cause 73.3 million GEL additional expenses from the state budget.

The draft proposes an increase of monthly aid for IDPs from current the 45 GEL to 60 GEL.

The IDPs can receive the aid in case his/her monthly income is not more than 1,500 GEL. Now, the barrier in 1,250 GEL.

Receiving a flat from the state will not be a reason for the suspension of the assistance.

In addition, the aid will also not be suspended if the IDP accepts social assistance from the state if he/she is extremely poor.

There will be no need for the registration of new generations of the IDPs; they will automatically obtain the status.

At present, 225,000 IDPs are being financially supported by the state, and if the draft is confirmed and the 1,500 GEL is specified as the barrier, those receiving the budget money would increase by several thousands.

The state must think about its IDP population and care about their interests.

However, the best support for the people and the state economy would be creating jobs.

If the current situation continues, a larger burden will be placed on the small number of the employed, as the Government could increase taxes for them in order to meet the interests of the socially vulnerable.