The Vagharshapat Municipality has failed to provide clear figures on the funds spent, even after the conclusion of the festive events. Instead, backdated decisions are being published online, offering only a partial view of the actual allocations made from the budget. This approach raises questions among the public regarding the total amount spent on the celebrations, as official clarifications are often delayed.
For the October 8 event, a contract worth 24 million AMD was previously signed for stage and lighting rentals. As official documents reveal, the remaining expenses are being gradually processed through various payments. A total of 4.4 million AMD from the municipal budget was directed toward singer Iveta Mukuchyan's performance, while 6.6 million AMD was transferred for singer Erik Karapetyan's concert.
Separate payments were also made for fireworks, children's entertainment programs, and the printing of invitations, further increasing the total expenditure. Unfilled decisions remain on the municipality's website, suggesting that the final sum could be even higher. Residents are forced to piece together the full picture from various documents, as a unified report has yet to be issued.
The transparency of municipal budget allocations remains under close public scrutiny, especially regarding large-scale festive events. The practice of publishing backdated decisions creates an information vacuum and hampers oversight.
Without clear and prior reporting, such expenses frequently become a subject of debate among residents. It remains to be seen whether the municipality will publish a comprehensive and exhaustive report detailing all expenditures in the near future.
