According to information published on the state procurement portal, it is planned to purchase 120 chairs for a total amount of 2 million 682 thousand soms. The last time the seating was updated was after the 2010 revolution, and it is likely that they have worn out under the posteriors of lawmakers to the extent that they simply won't last another five years. The technical specifications for the chairs raise slight bewilderment. All of them must be upholstered in natural high-strength leather, free of heavy metals and formaldehydes. In addition, the devices must have a rocking function and withstand a sitting weight of up to 120 kilograms. Each such chair for the deputies' seating will cost about 22,350 soms (approximately 323 US dollars, editor's note). Notably, the warranty on the chairs is only six months, meaning that in the spring, the posteriors of the elected representatives will already meet with new seating devices for passing laws.
Information about the remarkable first steps of the new parliament has outraged social media users. After all, there are enough holes in the budget without purchasing chairs. For example, the salary of some budget employees is 5-6 thousand soms per month. And the state allocates only 31 soms for the maintenance of one cancer patient, while the necessary medications for both adults and children cost tens of thousands of soms... Some civic activists are already proposing to hold protests and flash mobs against the newly elected, such as bringing old Soviet chairs to the square in front of the Jogorku Kenesh, which the people will donate to the elected representatives for free, so they have something to sit on while discussing and passing laws.
It is also worth noting another curious fact: while the attention of the press and society was focused on the sixth parliamentary elections and vote counting, the representatives of the fifth convocation tried to squeeze everything possible from their positions at the last minute. With the start of the campaign on September 4, it was impossible to gather a quorum – 92 out of 120 deputies were re-elected and were busy with the campaign. Therefore, it was decided to cancel all plenary sessions until the elections were over. However, no sanctions were applied to politicians for actual absences. For their untimely leave, they even received salaries. According to the Ministry of Finance's report, in September of this year, the expenses of the Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic were financed in the amount of 77.5 million soms. Thus, 44.5 million soms were allocated for salaries without accounting for contributions to the Social Fund of the KR, over 11 million soms for the purchase of other goods and services, over 5 million soms for transportation services, and 4.4 million soms for official trips. The remaining funds covered utilities, communication services, repairs, and other expenses. According to Article 71 of the Constitution of the KR, the powers of the previous parliament cease on the day of the first session of the next convocation. But how lawful is it to pay salaries in the case of a prolonged absence of a deputy from their direct workplace? With this question, IA turned to the press service of the Jogorku Kenesh.
- The work of the Jogorku Kenesh is not only about sessions but also about meetings with voters. And with a quorum, deputies can work in committees and factions, - noted the agency. - By law, they will receive salaries, even if they do not attend sessions.
When asked how much each elected representative will receive in hand at the end, the press service lamented the lack of such data and advised sending an official request.