Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) - During the coronavirus pandemic, support for the population, economic sectors and business entities, and the prevention of a sharp decline in the living standards of the country’s population were identified as priorities. Therefore, along with a more serious attitude than ever before, to work in this direction, work is underway to identify families in need of social protection and unemployed citizens, measures are being taken to provide them with assistance and employment.

On 15-22 June, a working group of deputies of the lower house of parliament headed by Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis, chairman of the Political Council of the Social Democratic Party Adolat N. Umarov visited the Republic of Karakalpakstan and helped revitalize the work being done on the ground, studied the pace in the Republic of planned reforms. The results of these studies were discussed in detail at a video conference held yesterday by the Council of the Legislative Chamber.

The speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis N. Ismailov, dwelling on the results of the activities of the deputies in the field, emphasized the many meetings of members of parliament with the population, entrepreneurs, civil society institutions testify to full confidence and support for the path to improving the well-being of citizens chosen by the President of the country.

It should be noted that the working group focused on the state of affairs carried out by the heads of executive bodies and sectors on the rational use of benefits provided to business entities in the country, the socio-economic development of the regions, poverty reduction and employment, as well as improving the efficiency of medical services in pandemic time.

Members of the working group, visiting districts and cities, held direct meetings with business entities. Particular attention was paid to the most positive solution to the problems raised on the spot. Deputies also got acquainted with the effectiveness of the work carried out by the heads of local ministries, departments and sectors in a pandemic.

In severe pandemic conditions, a serious problem is the issue of providing tax benefits to all business entities operating in the Republic of Karakalpakstan. Currently, a total of 1,968 micro-firms operate in the region. In order to create conveniences, they were granted privileges on payment of tax on goods turnover, property tax, land tax, tax on the use of water resources, provided that they were paid in equal installments within 12 months. Thus, entrepreneurs got the opportunity to use 3,980.7 million soums during the year without paying interest.

In addition, as a result of a sharp reduction in social taxes for the period from 1 April to 1 October 2020, a total of 7.49 billion soums will remain at the disposal of 11,932 individual entrepreneurs.

The working group positively assessed that, in order to mitigate the negative consequences of the coronavirus pandemic, to ensure the implementation of Presidential Decrees of 19 March and 3 April 2020, aimed at supporting the population and entrepreneurs during this period, loan maturities of 680.0 billion were extended soums for 3332 entrepreneurs with the status of legal entity, 447.0 billion soums for 136 131 individuals and 28.0 billion soums for 1856 individual entrepreneurs.

Also, commercial banks of the region postponed the payment terms for 141,319 credit agreements worth 1 trillion 154 billion soums. At the same time, an address list was formed on the implementation of 37 projects in the amount of 153.2 billion soums with the participation of local and foreign entrepreneurs in 2020-2021 and the creation of 406 new jobs.

It was noted at the meeting that overall field work was commendable. However, at a time when achievements and indicators can be even higher, there are cases of passive use of existing opportunities.

In January-May of this year, the Association of Farmers, in cooperation with the Ministry of Support for Mahallas and Families, in order to provide financial assistance to 2283 citizens in the construction of light greenhouses, seeds, seedlings and irrigation equipment from the State Fund for the Promotion of Employment was granted subsidies for 4.5 billion soums.

However, despite the fact that in accordance with the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan from 18 May 2020 “On Additional Measures to Support Homeowners and Ensuring Employment,” from May 20, subsidies of up to 30- should be allocated for the installation of light greenhouses a multiple of the basic calculated amount, to date, subsidies in the indicated amount have not been allocated.

In addition, there is no justification for the fact that despite the fact that the amount of sponsorship paid by the Sahovat wa Kumak Fund exceeded 6.5 billion soums, today these funds are not used enough. Deputies suggested the working group to ensure the systematic distribution of these funds to needy families.

The studies conducted are useful in that during the meetings on the ground, representatives of ministries and departments, entrepreneurs and the population made a number of practical suggestions that can help improve legislation, promote entrepreneurship and reduce poverty.

In the future, they will be the subject of study and implementation by members of the Council of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis, Chairman of the Jukorgi Kenges of the Republic of Karakalpakstan and his deputies, deputies of local Kengashes.

At the end of the meeting, which took the form of a videoconference, full of heated discussions and practical proposals, the corresponding Resolution of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis was adopted.