Opposition Wraps Up Cash Register Rally

MP Koba Davitashvili, the leader of opposition Conservative Party, told protesters outside the Parliament on March 10, that the authorities have showed a sign that they might compromise over cash registers issue and requested them to disperse.

MP Davitashvili said that Vice-Speaker of the Parliament Mikheil Machavariani announced at a session of Parliamentary Committee of Sector Economy that the authorities “are ready for a dialogue” with protesters.

“This is very important. Moreover he also said that the authorities are not currently fining those sellers who have no cash registers and they will not resort to strict administration in coming days. This is gives us reason to say that your [protesters’] efforts were successful,” MP Davitashvili told protesters.

But Vice-Speaker Machavariani has strongly denied statement made by MP Davitashvili.

“I do not know what MP Davitashvili means. I know one thing: we will not support their [opposition’s] alternative draft law,” Vice-Speaker Machavariani said, referring to the proposal of the opposition envisaging postponement government-imposed new regulations for outdoor market sellers. According to this regulation sellers who are not using cash registers starting from March 1 will have to pay a GEL 500 (USD 278) fine.

Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli also made it clear during the meeting with the opposition parliamentarians on March 9 that the government will not compromise over this issue, as cash register is the only way to control tax administration in outdoor markets.

After the statement of MP Koba Davitashvili protesters dispersed but announced to hold similar protest rally on March 15.