YEREVAN. – In comparison with 2011, the 2012 social protection expenditures will increase 13 percent, Armenian Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, Arthur Grigoryan, on Monday stated during a briefing with news reporters in the National Assembly.

In his words, the Government approved the petition for social allocations, and this augmentation will primarily be directed toward an approximately 10-percent increase in family benefits and pensions. Thus, instead of the current 26,000 drams (US$ 68.65), the monthly family benefits will reach 29,000 drams ($76.57), and average pension will constitute 31,000 drams ($81.85), instead of the current 28,000 drams ($73.93).    

As per Grigoryan, by interconnecting the online information systems, fake pensions and benefits will be ruled out in 2012.