Uzbekistan to Pay Citizens for Reporting Licensing Violations

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan’s Cabinet of Ministers approved on 4 September a procedure for financially rewarding citizens and organisations that report violations of licensing and permit requirements.

Applicants will receive 10% of the fine imposed on a violator for a confirmed report, Lex.uz reported.

The new mechanism applies to reports concerning the failure by individuals and legal entities to comply with requirements established when licences and permits are issued, as well as when notifications of the start of activities are submitted. The authorities expect the system to contribute to the development of public oversight.

Violations can be reported through the License electronic system or the mobile application of the Ministry of Justice. Applicants must provide passport details, including their personal identification number (PINFL) or taxpayer identification number (TIN), a contact telephone number and a bank card or account number.

Reports must also include unedited photographs or video recordings confirming the violation, together with the date and time when the evidence was recorded. Video recordings must not exceed 120 seconds.

An application will not be considered if an inspection is already being conducted regarding the reported matter or if the information provided is not confirmed. A report may also be rejected if the company holds a licence, permit or notification authorising the activities described in the report.

The authorised body must notify the applicant of a decision to reject the report within three working days. If the application is accepted for consideration, the inspection must be completed within 10 working days.

If a violation is confirmed, the authorised body will decide to impose a fine and notify the applicant by SMS or through the License system. After the fine is paid, the applicant will be entitled to receive 10% of its amount.

The payment must be transferred to the specified bank card or account within one working day after the fine is paid.

The Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Ministry of Digital Technologies have been instructed to configure the payment mechanism for applicants in the Unified Billing System and treasury systems within one month. The Ministry of Justice must launch the function for submitting reports of violations within two months.

The new procedure will take effect on 8 December, three months after the resolution is published.

The decision follows an instruction from President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to halve all types of financial sanctions imposed on businesses.

At an open dialogue with entrepreneurs on 18 August, the president said fines should be used “for order, discipline and prevention in the sector.”