17.03.2025

On March 17 President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a videoselector meeting on issues improvement of drinking water and heat supply, mahalla and agriculture

The scope of work aimed at improving the quality of life of the population continues to expand. This year it is planned to lay 1,619 kilometers of water supply networks, 521 kilometers of sewerage networks, as well as to build and reconstruct 162 infrastructure facilities. As a result, 715 thousand people will have access to clean drinking water for the first time, 135 thousand households will be connected to the sewage system, and 157 thousand consumers will receive modern meters.

During the recent visit of the Head of State to France, agreements were reached on the implementation of three water supply projects in Surkhandarya and Kashkadarya regions worth 340 million euros. In particular, the French company Suez is taking into private management the drinking water supply system in Denau, Shurchi, Saryasi and Kumkurgan. This is expected to bring the coverage rate of centralized water supply in the region to 90 per cent.

The availability of sewerage systems is an important factor for the development of construction, industry and services. Trillions of soums are allocated annually from the budget to expand these systems. But at the same time, it is necessary to actively involve the private sector in this sphere.

For instance, a local entrepreneur, with the support of the Asian Development Bank, is building wastewater treatment plants in Almalyk, Bekabad, Angren and Chirchik. Another entrepreneur has offered to privately manage water supply and sewerage services in two districts of Andijan region.

The importance of expanding such private partnerships and increasing opportunities for domestic companies to participate in international tenders was noted.

It was decided to simplify the process of project implementation with international financial institutions. It was instructed to speed up tender procedures and to carry out works worth $850 million by the end of the year.

Another important task is the digitalization of the industry. In this regard, it is envisaged to attract $125 million from the Asian Development Bank. Within five years it is planned to install 4,800 “smart” meters and 2,800 telemetry systems on large hydraulic structures and main pipelines.

It was noted that this will create a significant market for the electrical industry. Instructions have been given to transfer meter maintenance to the private sector in a phased manner.

Heat supply is one of the most gas-intensive sectors. In this regard, on March 11, the President signed a decree on radical reform of this sector and increasing energy efficiency.

According to the decree, a single company, “Issiklik ta'minoti”, has been established, which includes 23 organizations engaged in heat supply in the regions. Over the next five years, 19 trillion soums will be allocated for rehabilitation and modernization of heat supply systems. As a result, the coverage rate of district heating will increase from 37 to 58 percent.

The Ministry of Construction and Housing and Communal Services was instructed to develop a program to improve the energy efficiency of apartment buildings and social facilities. It was noted that 9,000 residential buildings and social facilities will be switched to a closed-loop heating system. This will halve heat losses and reduce gas consumption by 20 percent.

The meeting also touched upon the issues of spring sowing. Measures to simplify allocation of lands from reserve funds of khokimiyats have been determined.

From now on, the sale of agricultural land in installments through auctions will be canceled. The cost of unsold lots will be reduced by 10 percent daily. If there is only one participant at the next auction, he will automatically become the winner. From 10 to 20 percent of the allocated land will be designated for growing fodder crops for livestock.

Currently, the activity of more than 93 thousand farmers is evaluated on the basis of the rating of entrepreneurs. This rating will now be divided into separate indicators such as yield, number of employees and volume of products produced.

For farmers with a high rating, the requirement to insure the risks of loan default will be canceled. Land tax for them will be reduced by three times and Farmers' Council membership fees will be halved. For farmers with a high rating, the requirement to insure the risks of loan default will be canceled. Land tax for them will be reduced by three times and membership fees to the Farmers' Council by half. Farmers who yield above the norm for cotton and cereals will be allowed to use up to 25 percent of their acreage to rotate crops with fodder crops, vegetables, pulses and other plants.

It was reported on the work on the development of homestead farming and landscaping of mahallas within the framework of the beautification month announced by the President's order.

It is planned to plant 125 million saplings in spring. The President emphasized the importance of choosing the right places for planting and improving the irrigation system. In particular, geomembrane ponds will be built in mahallas with limited water supply.

Last year, service companies providing 23 types of services to the population were established in 208 mahallas in pilot mode. This year the system will be expanded: it is planned to create 1 thousand more such companies, and the range of services will increase to 30. Based on the Chinese experience, 5 thousand specialists will be trained to service mahallas, which will provide employment for 15 thousand people.

Since this year, sections for maintenance of internal roads have been established in 208 districts and cities as part of improvement departments. 700 billion soums have been allocated for the purchase of additional specialized equipment. Instructions have been given to repair internal roads and improve power supply to mahallas.

The meeting heard reports of Deputy Prime Ministers, ministers and khokims.