Nearly 1 Million People To Get Their Wages In Advance For December
Public sector workers in charge with the implementation of European projects, as well as the staff involved in projects such as the Operational Program for Human Resource Development (POSDRU), will receive their salaries sooner.
EU Funds Minister Marius Nica said nearly one million people will receive their salaries in advance for the month of December.
A total 903,000 people will get their salaries, subsidies, fees and incentives for December in the same month, not in January, as previously scheduled. The minister said the payment in advance will be regulated through an emergency ordinance. (Puterea)
VAT Cut Triggered Lower Food Prices
The lowering of the value added tax (VAT), from 24% to 9% starting June 1, 2015, triggered lower food prices, mainly for staples, cold cuts and fresh meat, according to a study conducted by research company 360insights.
Flour, edible oil and sugar are the staples whose prices decreased along with the VAT cut on food items. Prices of cold cuts, fresh meat, dairy products, bottled water and non-alcoholic beverages also fell after the VAT cut, according to a 360insights study conducted in July, on a sample of 712 respondents.
Competition Council president, Bogdan Chiritoiu, said the monitoring reports of the antitrust regulator showed that food prices fell along with the VAT cut, mainly in modern commerce (large stores), and less in traditional commerce (proximity stores). (Romania Libera)
Government To Operate This Year’s Second Budget Revision On Friday
The Romanian government will be conducting this year’s second budget revision on Friday, October 23.
According to a draft obtained by Profit.ro, the government’s reserve funds will be fed with nearly RON1.2 billion, which usually get into the hands of local authorities. Moreover, mayors will also receive nearly RON1 billion within the National Local Development Program, through the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Administration.
Extra funds will be allotted to the ministries of Agriculture (RON769 million), European Funds (RON729 million), Defence (RON558 million), Education (RON271 million), Home Affairs (RON269 million), Justice (RON245 million), the Romanian Intelligence Service SRI (RON140 million), Foreign Affairs (RON132 million) and Labor (RON80 million), according to the draft. (Puterea)
Cristian Petrescu Elected Head Of Bucharest Branch Of People’s Movement Party
Former regional development minister Cristian Petrescu was elected president of the Bucharest branch of the People’s Movement Party (PMP).
Valentin Florinel Nitu was elected secretary general and Valentin Robert Ionita was elected deputy secretary general. Petrescu’s team also includes vice-presidents Cornelia Lalu, Cristian Ionuț Birdac, Marian Eugen Dragomir, Virginia Mihailovici, Adrian Ionescu and Ramona Mihaela Prahobeanu, as well as executive secretaries Catalin Constantin Serpescu, Mihaela Sima, Adrian Florescu, Nicolae Rolea, Constantin Dadalau and Eugen Hanganu.
Petrescu said his team will show the people of Bucharest that they also have rights, not only obligations, and that they can have control over the money spent in Bucharest and not only the ‘right’ to pay burdening taxes. (Romania Libera)
Ludovic Orban Appointed Vice-President Of Chamber Of Deputies
Deputies voted in favor of appointing liberal Ludovic Orban as vice-president of the Chamber of Deputies.
Orban got 210 votes in favour and 34 against.
Orban is replacing liberal Dan Motreanu who stepped down from this position after being indicted on money laundering charges, along with former presidential adviser George Scutaru. (Adevarul)