Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- At present, in the process of deep reforms in the economy, the issue of using the natural resources of the earth, on the one hand, without damaging the natural and climatic balance, on the other hand, while ensuring economic growth and on this basis the well-being of our people.

The Subsoil Law, which was discussed at the forty-fourth plenary session of the Senate, was developed taking into account these requirements.

Senators noted that although the Law is aimed at achieving priority goals, it contains a number of controversial issues at the conceptual level.

Thus, in the context of the recent administrative reforms, the republican bodies of executive power have been reorganized and new functions have been assigned to them.

From the point of view of the current new administrative approach, it is necessary to revise the articles of the Law regarding the powers of the abolished or reorganized relevant departments.

In addition, during the discussions, it was said that a number of topical issues were left without attention in the Law.

In the Law, the restriction or suspension of the right to use a subsoil plot is carried out on the basis of instructions from the State Committee for Geology and Mineral Resources, the State Committee for Ecology and Environmental Protection and the State Committee for Industrial Safety for a period of not more than ten days, in exceptional cases related to the completion of work on elimination of violations, the suspension of the right to use a subsoil plot may be extended for a period not exceeding thirty days.

However, on the basis of Article 42 of the Law "On Guarantees of Freedom of Entrepreneurial Activity", restriction, suspension and prohibition of activities are carried out only in court. That is, such a norm completely contradicts not only the legislation, but also the norms of the Constitution in the new edition on the freedom and inviolability of entrepreneurial activity.

Also, the Law does not include provisions on the introduction of the practice of dividing the subsoil into "cadastral squares" and the provisions of the "Unified Interactive Geological Portal".

The procedure for the activities of services to ensure environmental and industrial safety, mine rescue units and services for the prevention and elimination of open oil and gas fountains during the use of subsoil has not been determined.

In addition, there are no requirements for employment and training in this area, the obligations of permit holders for the socio-economic development of territories.

Taking into account the foregoing, the expediency of revising the Law and improving it by forming a working group from among specialists was emphasized.

At the end of the discussions, the senators adopted a resolution of the Senate to reject the Law.