Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Under the chairmanship of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, a video conference meeting was held on 26 September on measures to further strengthen the work system in the context of mahallas.

In our country, all socio-economic programs are implemented locally, based on the needs of the population. For this purpose, mahallas were provided with many powers, organizational and financial opportunities. A “system of five” was created, consisting of the chairman of the makhalla, an assistant to the khokim, a women’s activist, a youth leader and a prevention inspector.

At the same time, there are shortcomings in ensuring their coordinated work, and there is a lot of duplication in their functions. Funds allocated for social support are sometimes used ineffectively. The last word in resolving issues of the low-income population remains with departments at the regional or republican level. There are no criteria for assessing the activities of mahalla workers. They spend most of their time filling out paperwork and holding meetings.

At the meeting, such shortcomings were analyzed and new approaches to improving and increasing the efficiency of the system were identified.

Thus, from now on, a tax officer and a social worker will be added to the mahalla management team, thus forming the “makhalla seven”.

More than 70 issues, such as registration of the needy population, financial assistance, subsidies and loans, will be resolved collegiately in the mahalla itself, without contacting district and regional departments. In addition, funds from the employment, entrepreneurship and homeworking funds will be allocated directly to each mahalla.

Electronic records management will be established in the mahalla. Three existing platforms – “Online Mahalla”, “Women”, “Youth Portal” - will be integrated into a single system.

The powers of the mahalla chairmen will be expanded to ensure close interaction between the G7. They will have the right to make submissions on the application of incentive measures or disciplinary liability to the assistant khokim, youth leader, women’s activist, prevention inspector, tax officer and social worker.

In this regard, responsible persons were given instructions to clearly define the tasks of the G7 and the correct orientation of their activities. The importance of involving scientific and non-governmental organizations in solving problems in mahallas was emphasized.

The meeting also identified organizational measures to improve the mahalla system. In particular, republican, regional and district (city) councils for the development and support of mahallas will be introduced. The Republican Council will be headed by the Prime Minister, and the regional councils will be headed by khokims. The councils will deal with issues raised by the Mahalla Seven, including financial ones.

Responsible persons were instructed, taking into account all the proposals made during the discussion, to develop a draft document indicating the organizational structure, powers and sources of financing for the sphere.

- From the first days of our activity, we have been organizing all the work directly in the mahalla, together with our people. We are gradually developing this system. Now additional strength and opportunities are being given. This means both authority and responsibility. Mahalla is the most important support of our country,” said Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

At the end of the meeting, ministers and khokims, chairmen of local mahallas presented information on activities being carried out in the field and plans for further work based on new instructions.