In the first reading, the Healthcare and Social Issues Committee discussed the draft amendments to the Law on Social Assistance, which were introduced by one of the initiators, MP Beka Liluashvili, at the level of principles.
Ana Buchukuri, Giorgi Khojevanishvili, Mikheil Daushvili, and Shalva Kereselidze are among the bill's authors, along with Beka Liluashvili.
The revision is included in an article of the law, according to which the Georgian government decides the rule for estimating the increased amount of subsistence allowance at the start of each year. In addition, the transitional provision stipulates that, due to the negative economic consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic, a one-time increase of the nominal subsistence allowance by 10 GEL for all categories according to the social rating score of beneficiaries in 2022 shall be made in addition to the increase in subsistence allowance through indexation.
According to Beka Liluashvili, despite the aggravated socio-economic situation, price level, and the increase in the number of recipients of social assistance, since 2015, there has been no increase in subsistence allowance.
As a result, he believes it is critical to aid socially disadvantaged persons by increasing the amount of subsistence allowance by 10 GEL on the one hand and adopting a law that ensures annual growth of social assistance in line with economic parameters on the other.
Chairman of the Committee Dimitri Khundadze stated that out of 600 thousand vulnerable persons, 200 thousand are able to work.
People with the ability to work, he believes, should not rest on public financial resources solely, as this would be an infinitely burdensome burden.
The Chairman of the Committee emphasized the executive power's ongoing and planned efforts in this direction.
According to him, as per the latest data from the World Bank, extreme poverty has been reduced twice, the dynamics are positive, which is undoubtedly important
"In terms of indexation, the Committee agrees with the bill's spirit; however, under Article 66 of the Constitution, when the financial element of the bill makes major changes in the budget during the budget year, it must be agreed upon with the administration. As a result, the Committee decided not to support it at this time. It should be mentioned, however, that work in this direction is already ongoing with the relevant agency, and I believe that systemic change, rather than a one-time symptomatic intervention, is required. In general, social policy should be reformed to be more targeted, focused, and suited to specific needs. We're making progress in this direction”, - Dimitri Khundadze stated.
