Gov’t to gift land to communities affected by natural disasters, approves construction of largest-yet thermal power plant

The Georgian Government on Monday said it would hand 160 agricultural plots of land to 133 families affected by natural disasters in several municipalities, and had also approved the construction of the country’s largest thermal power plant in the south-western municipality of Gardabani. 

Announced at the weekly Government meeting, the first decision will see families affected by disasters receive properties - both land plots and buildings on them - for a “symbolic price” in the western Khoni municipality, eastern Akhmeta, Lagodekhi and Signagi municipalities, and southern Ninotsminda, Tsalka, Marneuli and Tetritskaro municipalities, the Government Administration said. 

It also said the tender for the country’s third and largest thermal power plant - with the power capacity of 350-430 MW - would be announced in the coming months to select an investor for its construction. The facility will be expected to become operational within four years. 

The meeting of the Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, also discussed amendments for a reform of domestic passenger transportation. The bill for the reform involves a permit system, refinement of regulations and certification for regular passenger transportation.

The Government session on Monday discussed 18 questions. Photo: Government press office. 

The initiative is designed to improve the quality of long-distance passenger transportation services, create a competitive environment on the market and higher safety on the roads, along with the introduction of a legal framework. 

The reform will contribute to the employment of highly qualified, professional and experienced personnel in the field of passenger transportation”, the Government added. 

In the meeting, the officials also approved the launch of the Programme for the Promotion of Entrepreneurial Activities in Highland Settlements, in a bid to stimulate entrepreneurial activity in mountainous regions and settlements across the country. 

As part of the ₾5 million ($2 mln) programme, beneficiaries will qualify for a budget co-funding of between ₾30,000 ($12,000) and ₾100,000 ($38,000), with the upper threshold of 50 percent of the total cost of their presented projects.

Young entrepreneurs and agricultural cooperatives in mountainous regions will receive additional benefits to “[ensure] interest and encourage them to start entrepreneurial activities in mountainous regions”, the Government noted.