Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The Law “On Amendments and Additions to Certain Legislative Acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Connection with the Allocation and Use of Land Plots, as well as Improvement of the Land Registration System and Maintaining the State Land Cadastre” was signed by the President of Uzbekistan.

According to the amendment to the law "On state power in the localities", the documents of the Council of People’s Deputies can be appealed in court, and the prosecutor can appeal against them.

Direct criminal liability has been established for unauthorized occupation of irrigated land for construction (from 2 to 3 years in prison).

Liability has been established for the sale of irrigated land or its illegal transfer. Accordingly, if these actions are committed under aggravating circumstances, the punishment is up to 8-10 years in prison.

In addition, the law has strengthened administrative and criminal liability for violation of land legislation.

The Land Code abolishes the powers of the khokims of the regions to provide land for ownership, use and lease for the needs of agriculture and other state and public needs, the khokims can approve the results of the competition for the provision of land for lease.

Drafts of land decisions of khokims of regions are subject to legal examination by territorial bodies of justice.

The right of district khokims to lease land is limited. Accordingly, lease agreements are concluded with the district khokimiyats for the following types of land plots:

- lands provided by the Government to research and educational institutions, agro-industrial clusters, investors;

- lands allocated on the basis of the decision of the khokim of the region after the approval of the results of the electronic competition;

- land provided at an electronic auction;

- land allocated by the Government to enterprises with foreign investment, international associations and organizations, foreign individuals and legal entities.