site.btaSocialists Propose Inquiry into Residential Buildings Energy Renovation Programme

SSofia, November 23 (BTA) - The BSP For Bulgaria parliamentary group made a formal proposal for a parliamentary resolution to set up an ad hoc committee in the National Assembly to probe the implementation of the National Programme for Energy Renovation of Multi-family Residential Buildings, the group's Deputy Floor Leader Zhelyo Boichev told a news briefing in the legislature on Thursday.

The group wants the inquiry to clarify all circumstances concerning the working out of the rules for the programme and the implementation of its goals. The future committee should also look into the setting of price ceilings for the energy renovation of buildings, the expenditures incurred so far and the results achieved. Furthermore, it should bring clarity about the future of the programme.

According to Boichev, the proposed 2018 state budget does not have money for the further implementation of the programme and for the 4,759 contracts signed between municipal governments and condominiums. This has transpired from information provided by the Regional Development Minister to the legislators, Boichev said. He noted that the future of the programme is unclear and there is uncertainty about the percentage of the price which should be paid by the home owners. The very fact that part of the money has to be paid by the home owners means that these people are discriminated against, because earlier on other beneficiaries were spared any costs whatsoever, Boichev said.

The Socialists are concerned that, according to a report by the National Audit Office, the Public Finances Act has been violated. The problem is that over 1 billion leva in resources earmarked for the programme for 2017 have not been put to the vote in the National Assembly as part of the state budget scheme.

Boichev said: "We hope the inquiry will reveal all facts and circumstances about this corrupt environment in which payments have been made for services whose quality and quantity have not been certified in the most legitimate way and money has been given for activities beyond the scope of the programme."