On June 16 RA Administrative Court in Gyumri ended hearing the suit of Levon Barseghian, Board Chairman of “Asparez” Journalists’ Club of Gyumri, versus the Governor of Shirak region.
On January 18 and 29, 2010 the head of “Asparez” addressed the Governor of Shirak region Lida Nanian, requesting to provide the following information: on budgetary funds, allocated in 2005-2009 for providing financial assistance to impecunious citizens of Shirak and the copies of relevant decisions of the Governor; on the expenditure of budgetary funds (2005-2009) by the article “Representation Expenses”, specifically, how many decisions were made every year, how much money was spent on their implementation, what services or goods were purchased with that sum and from who they were purchased. The requested information was granted partially, therefore Levon Barseghian filed the court. The plaintiff demanded to hold the inaction of the Governor, oblige Lida Nanian to fully reply to both inquiries, as well as exact the state duty for filling the suit. The hearings on the suit started on April 27, 2010.
At the session of June 16 the parties signed an amicable agreement. The new Governor of Shirak region Ashot Gizirian engaged to fully provide with the requested information until July 1, while the Board Chairman of “Asparez” committed to withdrawing the suit and revoking his demand to the plaintiff on compensating the court costs.
As Levon Barseghian informed YPC, he highly appreciates the willingness of the newly appointed Governor to work transparent, unlike to Lida Nanian. Levon Barseghian also noted that “Asparez” will address the RA Government and all the Governors with a proposal to ensure, at most, the access to the information on allocation of budgetary funds by regional heads for providing financial assistance to people in need.
