Armenian govt allots almost $5 mln for initial social expenses of displaced persons from Nagorno-Karabakh

YEREVAN. Nov 23 (Interfax) - The Armenian government has allotted 2 billion drams (about $4.98 million) for initial social expenses of displaced persons from Nagorno-Karabakh.

The decision was made at a government meeting on Thursday.

"It is planned to allot 50,000 drams [about $125] to each person in November-December. The program beneficiaries will be 40,000 people," Armenian Labor and Social Affairs Minister Narek Mkrtchyan said.

People who received a one-off compensation of 100,000 drams (about $250) are also eligible for the program, he said.

"The program does not apply to those who had over 2 million drams [about $4,989] on their bank accounts as of October 2, persons registered in the State Register of the Armenian Population before September 19, persons staying outside Armenia or those staying at hotels and guest houses as of November 15. The compensation is given on the basis of a one-off online application, and payments are made exclusively in cashless form through banks," Mkrtchyan said.

The one-off compensation of 100,000 drams (about $250) has been received by 108,336 people to date, he said.