On June 16 a meeting under the chairmanship of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev was held dedicated to the analysis of ongoing reforms, state of affairs on the ground and issues of concern to the population.
At the beginning of the meeting the socio-economic indicators for the first five months of the current year were given. It was noted that during this period the industry grew by 6.4 percent, the volume of exports increased by 18 percent, the inflow of foreign investments – by 46 percent. More than 2.5 thousand new production facilities worth $3 billion have been put into operation. 2 million 400 thousand people were provided with sources of income.
At the same time, it was noted that conflicts are intensifying in the world, trade relations and logistics are becoming more complicated, and the demand for peace, justice and respect for human dignity is becoming more and more acute.
In this regard, it was stated that regional heads and ministers should properly assess current opportunities, show initiative, intensify dialogue with the population and entrepreneurs, and promptly resolve emerging issues.
At the meeting the problems were analyzed in the context of regions and industries, systemic shortcomings were outlined.
For instance, in each district there are more than 40 organizations with an average of 500 employees. However, in order to solve even simple issues it is necessary to request permission from regional and even republican authorities. At the same time, the structures that have powers and finances often consider themselves to be only supervisory bodies and are not engaged in facilitating the life of the population.
The delay in the reforms implementation is also due to the fact that some ministers and responsible officers in the government do not pay enough attention to discipline. There has been an increase in the number of complaints about the failure to implement court decisions within the established deadlines.
This year’s program calls for attracting another $26.5 billion in investment and launching 35 major projects worth $3.3 billion by September 1.
Trade and investment agreements worth over $30.5 billion were signed at the recent Tashkent International Investment Forum. Their fulfillment requires a systematic approach.
In this regard, it was decided to introduce a new mechanism to improve executive discipline and organization of work with citizens’ appeals.
From now on, the Accounts Chamber, whose authority is being expanded, will be responsible for compliance with the discipline of execution. It will analyze not only the targeted use of funds, but also their effectiveness and the degree of satisfaction of the population. Based on this analysis, the Chamber will submit proposals to the President. The control inspectorate of the Administration of the President will be abolished.
The electronic portal “Khalk Nazorati”, successfully tested in Tashkent, will be introduced throughout the country. This portal will become a unified system for processing appeals, to which all ministries, departments and khokimiyats will be connected.
Recently, the People’s Reception Centers have been increasingly limited to redirecting appeals to other authorities, instead of solving them on their merits. Unresolved local problems find an outlet in social networks.
The President emphasized that the main duty of leaders is to hear people’s aspirations and create conditions for life:
– We must not forget that behind every appeal is the fate of a person, his pain and hope. It is our duty to live the people’s aspirations, – said Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
Therefore, it was instructed to staff the People’s Reception Centers with dedicated and competent specialists. Now they will be personally led by regional and district khokims. They will start each working day with receiving citizens’ appeals. No issue should be postponed “for later” – it should be solved on the spot, without redirection. For this purpose, the powers of district khokims are being expanded.
Today, khokims have no authority to distribute staffing levels of district organizations, encourage effective managers or dismiss ineffective ones. Khokims and their deputies spend too much time holding meetings.
Staff structures on the ground often do not correspond to the goals of socio-economic development of the territories. Sectoral agencies work according to outdated long-term plans and do not show initiative, limiting themselves to the fulfillment of current assignments.
– If the work at the district level is ineffective, then no matter what instructions come from above, it is impossible to achieve the goals, – said the President.
The Head of State put forward important initiatives aimed at changing the governance system in the districts.
Starting this year, the new governance model will be introduced in Surkhandarya province and 16 other districts and cities with accelerated development – Bektemir, Kungrad, Chimbay, Asaka, Gijduvan, Gallyaaral, Yakkabag, Khatyrchi, Chartak, Bulungur, Syrdarya, Kuva, Shavat, Khazarasp, Margilan and Yangiyul.
In these districts and cities branches of 9 state bodies in the areas of economy and finance, investments, agriculture, employment, construction, ecology, culture, family and women affairs, work with youth will be included in the structure of hokimiyat. Distribution of staff units, hiring and dismissal of employees will be under the authority of the khokim. Sources of own funds of districts will also increase.
Now the khokim will have 4 deputies, and he himself will determine what areas need deputies, depending on the needs of the district. Each deputy will have clearly defined tasks and funding for their fulfillment.
If the khokim and his team fully meet performance measures, the district’s funding will increase by 10 to 15 percent next year. Otherwise, funding will not be increased and the head will be dismissed.
A “Reform Center” of specialists and leading entrepreneurs will be established in each district. Based on the analysis by mahallas, a three-year program will be developed covering projects, infrastructure, funding sources and staffing. The budget, infrastructure and investment programs, as well as employment programs for the next year will be approved on the basis of this program.
This experience will be spread throughout the country from next year, depending on the results achieved.
Another important news is that from August 1, salaries will be increased in all regional and district khokimiyats and performance-based bonuses will be introduced to create a more productive and attractive atmosphere.
At the same time, measures will be taken against those who fail to fulfill their duties. This will teach everyone to work in a disciplined and planned manner.
Special attention was also paid at the meeting to employment, poverty reduction, increasing investment and exports, improving the business environment in the regions.
The need to strengthen tax administration, support entrepreneurship and job creation was emphasized.
Opportunities to provide mahallas with water, grow fruits and vegetables, expand exports through modern agricultural technologies were analyzed. The necessity to develop livestock breeding on the basis of effective use of forest and pasture lands, increase meat and milk production and curb inflation for food products was noted.
The importance of developing public transport in cities, organizing safe road traffic, reducing traffic jams and accidents was emphasized. The task was set to expand recreation areas, green zones and playgrounds to improve the quality of life of the population.
In conclusion of the meeting the Prime Minister, members of the government and khokims reported on the implemented measures on the discussed issues.