24.03.2021

On March 24, the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev chaired a videoconference, which was held to discuss the work to be accomplished this year as a part of the «Obod Qishloq» (‘Prosperous village’) and «Obod Makhalla» (‘Prosperous local community area’) programs.

The «Obod Qishloq» and «Obod Makhalla» programs were adopted by Presidential Decrees in 2018. Over the past period, within these programs, conditions have been improved in 1,2 thousand makhallas (the local neighborhood community areas) and villages, which are home for about 5 million people. However, the programs were suspended last year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Today 188 makhallas in 796 villages and towns are recognized as settlements with difficult living conditions. In more than 4 thousand villages, the power supply is at an unsatisfactory level.

The availability of appropriate infrastructure in the countryside is the key to changing the quality of life and developing entrepreneurship. In this regard, this year the programs «Obod Qishloq» and «Obod Makhalla» were formed on the basis of new approaches. Based on the needs of the population, taking into account the opinions and proposals of khokims (governors and mayors) of 206 districts and cities, leaders responsible for the roads, electricity, public utility services and entrepreneurship development, the work to be performed in 8 thousand makhallas has been identified. Along with improvement, it is about creation of jobs and poverty reduction.

The forthcoming work in these areas was discussed in the meeting. It was noted that 21 trillion Uzbek soums will be allocated for the work in the framework of these programs this year.

- This year, marked by a way out of a serious crisis, we devote so much funds without external borrowing. This has never happened in the history of Uzbekistan. However, this money must be used honestly, for specific projects, to create decent conditions for the people, - the President said.

It was noted that from now on, the issue of enlisting particular makhallas and villages in the programs «Obod Qishloq» and «Obod Makhalla» will be decided by local kengashes (councils) of people’s deputies. Deputy khokims of districts and cities for economy, construction and makhallas, having prepared a precise estimation, will present and uphold it together with the chairmen of the makhalla in local kengashes.

The local kengashes will approve the target programs in the social sector, potable water supply, roads and infrastructure facilities in the context of each makhalla. The Ministry of Construction along with the khokimiyats (governors’ offices), will be responsible for the development of design to cost.

In accordance with this procedure, last week, the issue of enlisting makhallas and villages in the programs of this year was considered and resolved at all district and local kengashes.

At the meeting, the Cabinet of Ministers and regional khokimiyats were instructed to begin construction work in all villages and makhallas enlisted in the program within ten days.

The issue of comprehensive development of 325 villages and 71 makhallas with a difficult socio-economic situation was raised separately. It was decided to allocate 3 trillion 300 billion Uzbek soums for the construction and repair of potable water and electricity supply networks, internal roads and social facilities in these settlements.

In addition, 2 trillion Uzbek soums will be allocated to repair more than 10 thousand kilometers of internal roads in 2,721 makhallas and 1 trillion Uzbek soums on construction of more than 4 thousand kilometers of potable water supply networks in 500 makhallas.

The urgency of improving electricity supply is increasing. The programs provide for the renewal of 15 thousand kilometers of power lines and more than 4 thousand transformers in 5,377 makhallas, which is 60% of the total number of makhallas in the country. About 2 trillion 100 billion Uzbek soums will be allocated for these activities.

Furthermore, as a part of the rural infrastructure development project, work for 485 billion Uzbek soums, will be carried out in 21 districts and 60 villages of Ferghana, Andijan, Namangan, Syrdarya and Jizzakh Regions jointly with the World Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.

The responsible persons were instructed to use the funds effectively and complete all works by November 1.

The Ministry of Housing and Communal Services has been tasked with improving the operation system of internal roads, pedestrian ways, social facilities and apartment buildings.

The issues of increasing population employment were discussed at the meeting.

- A prosperous village, a well-maintained makhalla is not only about improvement in roads or the external appearance, but also an increase in the population’s income, fully-functioning social facilities. The most important thing is that in a truly prosperous makhalla there would be no «iron», «female» and «youth» books. To achieve this, it is necessary to consult with entrepreneurs, establish production, and create new jobs. Each soum spent should bring our people three times more benefit and contribute to the growth of income, - said Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

It is necessary to integrate entrepreneurship and employment programs with makhallas, provide jobs for 500 thousand young people and 200 thousand women, bring 300 thousand people out of poverty, enlisted in the «iron book», was said at the meeting.

To this end, 9 trillion Uzbek soums will be allocated to family entrepreneurship programs this year, small industrial zones will be established for account of 1 trillion Uzbek soums in 128 makhallas.

The Deputy Prime Ministers, the Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Business Ombudsman were instructed to hold regular meetings with entrepreneurs and solve their problems.

The programs also define measures for the development of the social sphere. In particular, 379 schools, 171 preschool educational institutions and 161 medical institutions will be built and repaired under the «Obod Kishlok» program and 57 schools, 37 kindergartens and 15 medical institutions under the «Obod Makhalla» program.

The Ministry of Health has been instructed to create a «health map» of localities included in the «Obod Kishlok» and «Obod Makhalla» programs.

It was pointed out that the heads of the sectors should report on the work carried out on their territory to the population in the local kengashes and through the mass media.

Deputy Prime Ministers, Ministers and khokims provided information on the issues discussed at the meeting.