A number of officials in Uzbekistan were held disciplinarily accountable for shortcomings in preparing for the winter season, prime minister’s spokesperson Bekzod Khidoyatov said.
According to him, prime minister Abdulla Aripov issued an order to strengthen the accountability of officials who “demonstrated negligence in implementing measures for winter season preparation”. The document aims at ensuring stable supply of fuel and energy resources to consumers in the cold season, as well as resource conservation.
For failing to meet energy-saving plans, exceeding electricity and natural gas usage limits (savings plans and limits are not publicly available), and insufficient oversight, the following hokims received official reprimands:
- Komiljon Ernazarov — hokim of Akaltyn district, Syrdarya region;
- Orif Rakhmonkulov — hokim of Mirzaabad district, Syrdarya region;
- Jurabek Akhmedov — hokim of Bostanlik District, Tashkent region;
- Shukhrat Dusbekov — hokim of Bekabad district, Tashkent region;
- Erkin Rustamov — hokim of Zangiata district, Tashkent region;
- Sardor Ergashev — hokim of Tashkent district, Tashkent region;
- Odiljon Ataullayev — hokim of Yangiyul district, Tashkent region;
- Maruf Usmonov — hokim of Kokand city, Fergana region;
- Ganijon Soliyev — hokim of Baghdad district, Fergana region;
- Rasuljon Juraev — hokim of Besharyk district, Fergana region;
- Sayidbahrom Sayidmusayev — hokim of Sokh district, Fergana region;
- Elyorbek Asronkulov — hokim of Furkat district, Fergana region.
Additionally, for permitting electricity and gas theft, reprimands were issued to minister of water resources of Karakalpakstan Bakhtiyar Juzbayev, deputy hokim of Andijan region for youth policy, social development and spiritual issues Komiljon Komilov, deputy hokim of Namangan region for similar issues Gulomjon Murodkhojaev, deputy hokim of Tashkent region Otabek Sultonbekov, hokim of Andijan district Boburbek Yuldashev, and hokim of Beruni district Ikrom Khidirov.
Deputy general director of O’zbekko’mir (UzbekCoal) company Erkin Yakubov received a “final warning” for delays in coal distribution to the population, distribution of substandard coal and inadequate oversight of this process.
Relevant ministries and agencies have been instructed to evaluate the performance of sector leaders in these cities and districts, take necessary measures and report the results to the Cabinet of Ministers within one day.
For the autumn-winter season, Uzbekistan plans to supply consumers with 21 billion cubic meters of gas, the president said at a 15 November meeting. An action plan for severe cold weather was announced, ensuring uninterrupted energy supply to social institutions and promoting gas conservation.
Energy minister Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov previously stated that baseline and pessimistic scenarios were developed for the season. In critical moments, such as temperatures dropping to -20 degrees Celsius, gas supplies to large consumers and refueling stations will be restricted, the use of fuel oil will be increased, energy supplies to major enterprises will be limited, he said. However, these scenarios have not yet been made public.
