Suspended state secretary Balševics still receiving salary

The Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development (VARAM) has confirmed that its state secretary, Edvīns Balševics, who has been suspended from his duties since April 9, is still being paid his salary. The confirmation came from the ministry's Public Relations Department in response to a request for information.

The suspension is linked to a service inquiry that has been underway against Balševics for several months. The ministry's statement did not disclose the specific reasons for the inquiry or details of how it is progressing, nor did it indicate how long the process might continue.

The fact that a suspended official continues to draw a full salary reflects general civil service rules, under which pay is maintained during an inquiry period until a final decision on any wrongdoing is made. This means Balševics formally remains an employee of the ministry, even though he is not carrying out the duties of state secretary.

The ministry offered only a brief comment on the matter, without elaborating on the substance of the inquiry or its expected timeline.