Brasov Authorities Start Using Student Monitoring System In Nine Schools
Nine schools in Romanian central city of Brasov will have security cameras that will monitor student behavior in real time.
The security system will be implemented using European Union financing.
Local authorities in Brasov have awarded a contract targeting the installation of modern security systems in nine local schools. The contract will run for 11 months.
The project targets a safe and helpful environment, while keeping an eye on students. (Curentul)
Mafia Dominates Local Foreclosed Property Market
Specialists say the auctions organized to sell foreclosed homes often prove to be a cheap scheme, as the buyers turn out to be influential people who have set their eyes on the respective properties long before auctions are held.
Also, many lenders fail to come up with transparent offers, which, in most cases, are not updated or are made public only after the auction has taken place.
Over 16,000 assets will be foreclosed this year, after a total 8,395 in 2012 and 4,237 in 2011, according to a study by executări.com. (Puterea)
Romania Ranks Last In EU By Absorption Of European Funds
Romania ranks last in the European Union after absorbing below 20% of the structural funds it was allotted, according to the 2013 strategic report regarding the cohesion policy, made public Thursday.
Despite contracting nearly 70% of the grants provided by the EU between 2007 and 2011, Romania places last among European countries when it comes to using the money, the report also notes.
Romania’s EU fund absorption rate stood at 14.92%, or EUR2.965 billion at the end of December 2012.
Romania has been allotted EUR20 billion in structural funds for 2007-2013, which can be spent by the end of 2015. (Puterea)
Companies Under Romanian Economy Ministry’s Umbrella Privatized By 2016
Romanian Economy Minister Varujan Vosganian Thursday said he wants to privatize all companies in the ministry’s portfolio by the end of the government’s mandate in 2016, with the exception of several companies in the defense sector.
Speaking at a news conference, Vosganian said his ministry has undergone a restructuring process, whose results will be presented in a government meeting next week.
During the reorganization process, Vosganian transferred most of the energy companies under administration of the ministry’s privatizations office to the Minister-delegate for Energy Constantin Nita, significantly reducing the number of the companies in the economy ministry’s portfolio.
The privatization office owns shares in 94 companies in key energy sectors such as oil, natural gas, electricity and mineral resources, including Romgaz, Termoelectrica, Hidroelectrica, Nuclearelectrica, OMV Petrom (SNP.RO), GDF Suez Energy, EON Gaz Romania, Enel Distributie and CEZ Romania.
Additionally, the office has participations in 16 energy research institutions, with rich patrimonies.
By contrast, the economy ministry owns shares in 28 companies in the defense and machine-building industries. (Curentul)
Romanian Parliament Adopts Lawmakers’ Statute
Romania’s Parliament in plenary session adopted the statute of MPs, amending a provision that had been rulled unconstitutional by the Constitutional Court.
The bill, adopted with 343 to 51 votes and 57 abstentions, now states lawmakers in conflicts of interests will have their MP salary lowered by 10% for a period of maximum three months.
The Constitutional Court on April 3 ruled a previous provision in the bill, which stated lawmakers in conflicts of interests would be suspended from parliamentary meetings, was illegal. (Azi)