6 billion tenge to be allocated for seismic reinforcement of education facilities

6.3 billion tenge ($43 million) will be allocated from the state budget for seismic reinforcement of education facilities of Almaty and Almaty oblast in 2012-2014, KazTAG citing Minister of Education and Science Bakytzhan Zhumagulov. “We are not planning any (funds for seismic reinforcement) this year. But 6.3 billion tenge are allocated for 2012-2014. We expect all these money to be spent into reinforcement of education facilities in Almaty and Almaty oblast. These are the instructions that were given by the President at the recent meeting in Almaty,” he said during the Government Hour in Majilis (Lower Chamber of the Parliament) on Monday. As per the Minister, 2.4 billion tenge ($16.4 million) were allocated from the state budget for seismic reinforcement in 2010. Several earthquakes hit Almaty on May 1 and caused damages to 28 houses in Malovodnoye village. The strongest May 1 shock was 5.4 in magnitude.