Tbilisi. 23.01.07. Media News. Today in Tbilisi, representatives of the Coordinative HQ of the Interior Ministry’s veterans, pensioners and disabled people held informational and warning demonstration in the Aleksandre Pushkini Square.
They protested the abolished allowances for the veterans of the law enforcement bodies, armed forces and the World War II; as well as for the families of the soldiers who died during the Georgian Civil War. Under the law these people were granted with 39 kinds of allowances since 1995.
Under the law, they did not pay for their travels by the municipality transport and Tbilisi underground. The veterans had 50% allowances for the telephone and water bills. Under the same law, they had free 20 cubes of gas a month. In summer 75 kilowatts and in winter 250 kilowatts were free for them.
The veterans said that their allowances have been abolished since January 1, 2007. As for the gas and electricity bills, they will receive 8 and 14 laris a month to pay bills. However, the veterans said that that money will not be enough because of the increased price on gas and electricity.
Nodar Tsotniashvili, representatives of the Coordinative HQ, informed the Media News that they have petitioned the president Saakashvili on January 18. They urged to renew the allowances and also asked the president to meet them. However, they did not receive any reply yet. “If our demands are not satisfied, we will start permanent demonstrations tomorrow. We have to persuade the government that our demands are just,” said Tsotniashvili.