TBILISI, March 9 (RIA Novosti, Marina Kvaratskhelia) - The Georgian prime minister has met with five opposition parliamentarians who went on hunger strike Thursday and demanded a meeting with him in a bid to resolve a conflict around new regulations on large fines for sales operations carried out without cash registers, but reiterated the government's position that the move was necessary.
Although Zurab Nogaideli said earlier he would be able to talk to them only next week, he met the parliamentarians today and told them that the government's position was that the installation of cash registers was needed to fix incomes and increase tax proceeds.
He criticized the opposition members and issued a stark warning that they would be unable to start a popular uprising if that was what they were seeking.
"If you want disturbances in the country, you will not succeed," the premier said.
He also attacked the parliamentarians over their position.
"On the one hand, you are demanding increased pensions and wages, but on the other you are calling for tax evasion," Nogaideli said. "These issues are incompatible."
The regulations, which came into force March 1, stipulate fines starting at about $280 for sales operations carried out without cash registers, a considerable sum considering that the estimated per capita gross domestic product in 2005 equaled $3,800 in terms of purchasing power parity.
The Georgian Finance Ministry said the main aim of the new regulations was to secure consumers' rights, as well as to tighten control over traders' incomes. Nogaideli also said that a decision against installing the registers would mean an end to education and defense financing, and budget money for increased wages and pensions, as well as funds to tackle the "never-ending energy crisis."
About 2,000 people gathered in the heart of Tbilisi Thursday and in front of the country's parliament building to protest new regulations, which came into force March 1.
The protesters demanded to postpone the regulations for at least one year. Some of them also called for the dismissal of the president and government.
Although no serious incidents occurred during the rally, the opposition criticized the actions of the law enforcement agencies.
"Our rally is legal, as five days ago we informed all the relevant bodies about our plans," he said.
Kakha Kukava, an opposition parliamentarian, said they had made no political demands yet but the hunger strike could become political event if Nogaideli refused to meet with them.
"In this case, the government will bear responsibility for everything that happens," Kukava said.
Meanwhile, traders have said they intend to gather again on Friday.
