The Committee discussed the Draft Law on State Compensations and State Academic Scholarship introduced by the Deputy Interior Minister, Alexander Darakhvelidze.

As the legal package envisages, the amendments are to be also introduced to the Law on Social Security of Persons Transferred to the Reserve from Military Bodies, Internal Affairs Bodies and the Special State Protection Service, and Their Family Members, and the Law on Civil Security.

The package envisages the improvement of the social guarantees for the employees retired from law-enforcement agencies and the increase of the upper limit for their pensions.

“Significant amendments are being introduced to the legislation. The upper limit of the pension – 560 GEL – was posed as a problem for years, which was established in 2006. Despite the increase of the basic pension, the upper limit remained unchanged. Persons with many years of service in law-enforcement agencies, as well as former MPs, judges etc. were restricted from enjoying higher academic scholarships. The amendments increase the upper limit”, - he stated.

Pursuant to the Draft, the limit of 560 GEL shall increase to 1000 GEL and the compensation established for persons due to the decease of their breadwinners shall increase to 1200 GEL.

Besides, for the first time since 2013, the coefficient calculation rule shall be modified and the coefficients shall increase from 5 to 25 GEL according to the titles. The upper limit for the former judges, prosecutors, MPs, Parliamentary staffers, diplomats, civil aviation officers, the Auditor General and his/her deputies shall as well increase. Overall, the hereof amendments shall affect the expenditure part of the Budget, increasing it by 45 ml GEL.

The legal amendment shall become effective as of May 1, 2024, and hence, the pensions shall be re-calculated for persons also who already are eligible.