Experts Refute Poverty Reduction Claims

On Wednesday, the NGO "Journalists in extreme conditions" organized a public debate on the topic: "The problems with the payment of targeted social benefits."

According to expert economist Muhammad Talibli, the situation in this sphere is not encouraging. In 2006, social aid received 122,000 people, now the number has increased to 750,000. This is contrary to the government's statement on the reduction in poverty. In 2006, allocations from the state budget for this purpose amounted to 39 million manat, and in 2011, 548 million manat.

Officially, the minimum cost of living is 102 manat. However, alternative estimates say this figure is 168 manats. In addition, officials ask for bribes from citizens for the provision of social assistance, he said.

The expert Natig Jafarli, says welfare indicators are determined from Soviet times. 

The truth in the statement on Azerbaijan’s poverty reduction over 10 years was from 49% to 7.8% is also doubtful.  It is not right, not to provide assistance to families who have an old car or no used land.

The country’s monopoly and business interference does not allow citizens to earn therefore they need state help. Today, 15 state agencies intervene in business operations and can suspend their activities, which does not contribute to business development.

Participants support change allocation principles of targeted social aid. -05C-