YEREVAN. – The Armenian authorities have begun preparing for the New Year celebrations, Chorrord Ishkhanutyun daily reported. 

“The Civil Service Council [CSC] has already acquired Christmas holiday cards and calendars by paying close to half a million drams [approx. $1,146] from the State Budget.

“Also noteworthy is the fact that the Civil Service Council has purchased the cards from Bagrig Ltd. whose director is A. Badalyan. It is believed that he is a relative of CSC Chairman Manvel Badalyan,” Chorrord Ishkhanutyun wrote.