Municipalities declared a state of emergency on purpose, even at the slightest rain so as to claim money from the state budget, Disaster Management Minister Emel Etem said on December 11 on Bulgarian National Television (BNT).

The heads and representatives of local authorities were abusing opportunities the Disaster Protection Act presented them with, Etem said.

According to her, it was unnecessary to declare a state of emergency every time there is rain, strong wind or a hailstorm. This should be done in more critical situations so that funding for emergency reconstruction works could be granted.

Etem added that, with the money granted from the budget surplus, the Disaster Management Ministry intended to introduce the 112 emergency number by the end of 2008. Because of delays in its introduction, the EU had already started punitive procedures against Bulgaria, mediapool.bg said.