The Plenary Session of the Parliament approved during its session today, the budgets of the Cyprus Capital Market Commission, the Cyprus Agricultural Payments Organization, the Cyprus Human Resources Development Authority and the Vocational Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities for 2022.
Hellenic Capital Market Commission
The budget of the Hellenic Capital Market Commission of € 13,184,361 was approved with 48 votes in favor and 1 abstention.
In his statement, AKEL MP Christos Christofidis referred to the fines of 31 million euros, imposed by the authority, stating that the 20.5 million euros remain uncollected. About half the amount, as he said, is owed by the Bank of Cyprus, members of the Board. Banks, top officials and so on.
DIKO MP Christiana Erotokritou stated that the Finance Committee was given explanations that these uncollected fines are in the process of being challenged before the courts. However, as he said, the issue is being monitored.
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Stavros Papadouris, Member of Parliament for the Ecologists 'Movement – Citizens' Cooperation, said that the fines would be settled through settlements, while the Commission clarified that no amount would be lost.
The MP of DIPA-Cooperation, Alekos Tryfonidis, noted that the Hellenic Capital Market Commission is initiating procedures for the supervision of cryptocurrencies.
Cyprus Agricultural Payments Organization (KOAP):
Unanimously with 49 votes in favor, the budget of KOAP amounting to € 12,350.86 was approved.
AKEL MP Andreas Kafkalias pointed out the need for simplification of the procedures followed by the Organization, with less bureaucracy and faster payments. He also stated that while in 2020 the KOAP had 700 thousand euros in interest income, in 2021 it paid 190 thousand in interest and 99 thousand in bank fees. He said that providing money for farmers ends up in fees and charges of banks. He also called for a plan from the government to help bank lend to farmers.
DIPA MP Alekos Tryfonidis pointed out the need to reduce delays and bureaucracy and welcomed the creation of a regional office of KOAP in Polis Chrysochous, while calling for the acceleration of the creation of an office in the area of Solia. He also called for strong incentives for breeders to produce sheep and goat milk for the halloumi and an incentive for expatriates to cultivate lands in the countryside so that they are not abandoned.
DIKO MP Chrysanthos Savvidis welcomed the creation of a regional office in Polis Chrysochous, while he said that KOAG lags behind in the field of enlightenment so that people know the programs being announced.
ELAM MP Linos Papagiannis spoke about a huge gap in the information of farmers and producers. He also said that they should collectively look at the farmers' insurance system to change immediately.
DISY MP Marios Mavridis said that he would like KOAP to open online offices on the internet to serve the whole of Cyprus with reduced costs and better services.
DISY MP Charalambos Pazaros stated that in the framework of the Common Agricultural Policy of 2023-27, there will be digital reform and all procedures will be simplified.
The Parliament also voted unanimously with 50 votes in favor of the budget of the Human Resources Development Authority amounting to € 40,531,000.
Vocational Rehabilitation Center for People with Disabilities
With 50 votes in favor and one abstention, the Parliament approved the Special Fund of the Vocational Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities amounting to € 148,900.
DIKO MP Christiana Erotokritou stated that they are voting in favor of the budget, which, however, is too small to meet the needs, while noting that the process of the medical council that is needed is time consuming.
AKEL MP Andreas Kafkalias said that this fund is in danger of disappearing and that the funds included offend us as a state. The issue, he said, will be discussed in detail in the Labor Committee.
DIPA MP Alekos Tryfonidis spoke about an extremely meager fund and said that incentives should be given for professional rehabilitation of these people without difficult procedures.
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