Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — The Senate reviewed the results of a parliamentary inquiry on preventing corruption and conflicts of interest in the construction sector at its 20th plenary session.
During the discussion, senators noted that the development of construction is directly linked to creating modern infrastructure, a safe environment for the population and attracting investment. In this context, they reviewed measures being taken to identify corruption risks, increase procedural transparency and improve state oversight.
The parliamentary inquiry covered the activities of the Ministry of Construction and Housing and Communal Services system in assessing corruption risks, managing conflicts of interest, conducting public procurement, architectural oversight and introducing digital tools.
A functional assessment identified 95 areas with a low level of corruption risk, 10 with a medium level and one area with a high level of risk.
The results of state architectural oversight were also presented. Inspections identified about 1,650 violations of legislation and 1,100 illegally constructed facilities. Appropriate measures were taken based on the findings, with administrative liability imposed in 624 cases. The total amount of fines imposed reached 68.6 billion soums.
To strengthen digital oversight, the Shaffof Qurilish information system was supplemented with an automated mechanism for identifying and eliminating illegal construction. The system was integrated with the Notarius, E-ma’muriy ish, Adolat and UzKad information resources.
The Remote Audit mechanism used in public procurement helped prevent a violation of legislation in a tender worth 3 billion soums. In addition, materials concerning violations worth 869.5 million soums were referred to law enforcement agencies.
The meeting also addressed the simplification and clarification of regulatory requirements related to reducing corruption risks. The ministry reviewed 105 outdated regulatory and technical documents. The mandatory status of 76 documents was abolished, after which they were transferred to the recommended category.
Senators stressed the need to focus not only on the consequences of violations already identified but also on eliminating systemic causes that create conditions for corruption. Reducing the human factor and increasing transparency in decision-making processes were identified among the priorities.
Following the review, the ministry was tasked with regularly assessing corruption risks, strengthening oversight in high-risk areas, verifying the accuracy and completeness of conflict-of-interest declarations, increasing transparency in public procurement and eliminating systemic causes of violations identified through architectural oversight.
Further tasks were also set to improve the effectiveness of digital oversight mechanisms.
Following the discussion, the Senate adopted a corresponding resolution.
