The Socialist group on the Chisinau Municipal Council proposes increasing the local taxes for casinos ten times and the taxes for gas stations and cigarette kiosks. The Socialists suggest that the money collected as a result should be used to repair education institutions and to feed children in kindergartens and students, IPN reports.

The group’s leader Ion Ceban told a news conference that initially the Socialists proposed relocating the casinos outside the city by a legislative initiative, but this wasn’t supported. Therefore, they seek higher taxes. “We suggest increasing the taxes for casinos ten times. The taxes for those who sell tobacco products and for gas stations located at a distance shorter than 500 meters from green areas should also be raised. Such amendments will contribute to collecting over 100 million lei more into the municipal budget,” stated the councilor.

The group suggests that the obtained money should be used for three purposes: to feed the children in nurseries and schools on 26 lei a day, not 6 lei as now; to finance projects implemented in kindergartens and schools in Chisinau, namely to build sports grounds and purchase books, and to finance the suburbs.

Ion Ceban noted that the Socialists are ready to examine the draft municipal budget on condition that the proposed amendments are accepted. The initiative to raise the local taxes for casinos, gas stations and kiosks that sell tobacco products will be presented to the Chisinau Council for examination on June 28.