MPs discuss new IDP Bill

A new draft Bill relating to the welfare of Internally Displaced People (IDPs) is being discussed by the countrys leaders.

The Bill will determine the status of IDPs and highlights an increased monthly allowance of 45 GEL and by gaining this allowance, the threshold will be set as criteria for eligibility for assistance.  

Parliament began  discussing the new Bill in a committee session today, initiated by the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Accommodation and Refugees of Georgia (MRA).

Status of IDPs  

The new draft law will reclassify the term IDP. According to draft law, IDPs are people who have been forced against his will to leave his home and search for sanctuary despite their race, sex, religion, political views, nationality or ethnic and social origin.

The current law defined IDPs as  people who are displaced from the breakaway regions of Georgia.

Social allowance for IDPs  

IDPs with a currently monthly net income of at least 1,000 GEL will no longer be eligible to receive Government assistance.

However, if  an IDP earns more than 1,000 GEL then loses their job and their monthly income falls below the bar, the IDP will be eligible for 45 GEL monthly allowance.  

Latest MRA and Finance Ministrys figures revealed  there are 6,892 IDPs that currently fall in this category.

Under the current  law, IDPs who lived in collective centers (a shelter buildings for IDPs that are mostly owned by the state) received 22 GEL monthly state social allowance and those who lived in private accommodation received 28 GEL per month.  

MRA reported that the monthly allowance will increase to 45 GEL for all IDPs, regardless of where they lived.

"The discriminative article that sets the different social allowance for the IDPs will be cancelled as 80% of IDPs live in private accommodation, MRA Minister Davit Darakhvelidze said.  

Last year the state budget allocated 77.8 million GEL to  IDP monthly allowances.  

If the new law is passed, a monthly allowance of 45 GEL per IDP has been estimated to cost the state 109 million GEL in 2014.

The draft law also outlined real estate and property that was left by an IDP will be inherited by family.  

If the Bill is approved by the Parliament, it will come into effect on March 1, 2014.