Labor Ministry Paid EUR6M Social Aid To The Wrong People
Romania’s Labor Ministry has incorrectly paid social aid worth EUR6 million, according to the latest report by the Court of Accounts, which looked into the ministry’s activity in 2012 and a part of 2013.
Actually, nearly $1 million was granted as social aid to several people who were not entitled to such aid, as they had more than RON3,000 stored in bank accounts, according to the report released in December 2013.
Only 39.7% of the total amount was recovered by the country’s 42 regional offices.
Romania Extends Government-Sponsored “First Home” Program In 2014
The government-backed “First Home” mortgage lending program will be extended in 2014, therefore, the banks registered in the program will receive the funds that were not allocated in 2013 and they will also be able to use the money left unspent last year.
The government adopted a decision amending and completing government decision no. 717/2009 approving the norms for the implementation of the “First Home” program, according to the Finance Ministry. (Adevarul)
Romania Completes Its Part Of Works On Iasi-Ungheni Gas Pipeline
The main works on Romania’s territory on the natural gas pipeline linking Romanian northeastern city of Iasi to Ungheni locality in neighboring Republic of Moldova have been completed, the National Agency for Mineral Resources said in a statement.
“The consortium comprising HABAU PPS Pipeline Systems-INSPET-IPM-Partners Romania met the deadline agreed upon and the main works on Romania’s territory on the natural gas pipeline linking Iasi to Ungheni were completed at the end of December 2013,” according to the statement.
The construction of the Iasi-Ungheni pipeline started in late August. Costs are estimated at EUR24.5 million, of which EUR7 million comes from the European Union.
When completed, the pipeline will ensure an annual transport of 1.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas. (Gandul)
President Basescu Rejects Farmland Bill
Romanian President Traian Basescu has sent back to Parliament a bill which allows a governmental agency to control the sales of farmland.
One of the reasons behind Basescu’s decision to reject the bill is that the agency overseeing farmland transactions could also purchase the respective farmland.
Another reason would be that the bill creates confusions and might lead to blockages. (Evenimentul Zilei)
Lawmaker Gheorghe Coman Placed Under Preventive Arrest For Influence Peddling
Romanian lawmaker Gheorghe Coman has been placed under preventive arrest for 30 days on charges of having used his position and influence to obtain money and other illicit gains.
Coman was chased by the police, caught in Urziceni town and taken to the Bucharest General Police Department. (Adevarul)