“My initiative envisages mobilization of the funds to ensure aid for the crisis-affected persons. The initiative implies the deposits by the persons with the higher incomes: 20% of the salaries varying within 3000-6000 GEL; 30% of the salaries varying within 6000-8000 GEL; and 40% of the salaries over 8000 GEL. This so-called tax of a temporary nature valid for one year shall be established by the Government”, - MP Gia Zhorzholiani stated at the briefing today.

He is convinced that the greatest part of the population will be solidary to his initiative.

“My initiative on Universal Solidarity Fund announced on March 24 envisaged the establishment of the universal mandatory deposits to thus raise special funds to the state budget to be consumed by the Government for the citizens who lost their incomes due to the pandemic. As to the voluntary donations as initiated by the Party “Georgian Dream” on April 2 – it was a distorted interpretation of our initiative.

Naturally, we are not against the charity but it is totally ridiculous for the Government to determine the policy counting on the personal initiatives solely. On April 1, the Government has announced its decision regarding the optimization of funds from the budget to save 2 billion GEL to support the economic and social spheres. Extra 351 million GEL shall also be allocated for the healthcare sphere. At the same time, the Prime Minister stated the expected reduction of the budget incomes with 3 million GEL and possible further reduction of the incomes and increase of the expenditures.

It is evident that the funds we can raise from the international financial institutions or donors will never be enough to satisfy the vital needs of our citizens. The social and economic situation is being further aggravated in the world and the field experts foresee the recession and unprecedented reduction of the economy for 6-8 months (or a year). Taking this alarming situation into account, we need to intensively enact all internal resources to save lives.

We fully realize the position expressed by the Prime Minister: full responsibility to address the crisis, save our citizens and maintain economic potential and education imposed on the Government. Correspondingly, the Government must raise all the possible resources (financial and non-financial) to solve the issues. And this is exactly envisaged under our initiative – to mobilize funds and save the crisis-affected persons.

We need to mobilize about 700-800 million GEL per year from the citizens with higher incomes: 20% of the salaries varying within 3000-6000 GEL; 30% of the salaries varying within 6000-8000 GEL; and 40% of the salaries over 8000 GEL on a temporary basis. And we believe that most of the population will support our solidarity action. The Government has been effective and competent so far. Now, it is time to make braver steps”, - he stated.