Reports: MPs Go on Hunger Strike
Four opposition parliamentarians went on hunger strike after Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli reportedly refused to negotiate with them over new regulations for the outdoor market vendors, Georgian media sources reported.
MPs from the Democratic Front parliamentary faction Koba Davitashvili, Zviad Dzidziguri, Bidzina Gujabidze and Bezhan Gunava requested a meeting with PM Nogaideli. After a refusal, parliamentarians announced that they will stay in a reception of PM and went on hunger strike, MP Kakha Kukava of the Democratic Front parliamentary faction told reporters.
No comment from these four MPs is yet available.
Meanwhile, protesters outside the State Chancellery, where both the President’s Administration and the Prime Minister’s offices are located, decided to disperse and resume protest rally on March 10. They demand to cancel, or at least postpone enforcement of law according to which those sellers who are not using cash registers starting from March 1 will have to pay a GEL 500 (USD 278) fine.
About 3 000 protesters gathered outside the Parliament on March 9, but later moved outside the State Chancellery and demanded from the authorities to hold talks with them in an attempt to solve the dispute through a dialogue.
The Finance Ministry claims that new regulations involving cash registers became necessary in order to register sellers’ revenues and subject these revenues to tax inspection. Although some sellers have already bought cash registers, another part claims they can not afford to purchase cash registers and demand to pay fixed tax rates.
