The government said on November 12 it has revised the initial draft of 2009 state budget and made it more socially oriented envisaging increase in pensions and social allowances.

A total of additional GEL 169 million has been allocated for this purpose in the draft budget, according to the government’s press release.

Monthly pensions, it says, will increase by GEL 5 starting from January, 2009 and by another GEL 5 from November 2009. 

The government said number of persons allegeable for social allowances will increase from the current 400,000 to 900,000. Monthly allowance for the each most socially vulnerable families, living below the poverty level – total of 400,000 persons - will receive GEL 30, plus GEL 24 per each family member, instead of current GEL 12; another part of socially vulnerable families with total number of 200,000 will receive GEL 20 plus GEL 16 per each family member and the third group, involving total of 300,000 persons, will have monthly GEL 10 plus GEL 8 per each family member.

The new draft budget also envisages increase of monthly salaries for public school teachers by GEL 25 from January and by additional GEL 25 – September, 2009.