DUSHANBE, August 25, 2010, Asia-Plus — President Emomali Rahmon has criticized Khatlon authorities for not giving proper attention to development of cotton growing in the province.
His criticism came during an address to a meeting of regional administrators in Qurghon Teppa, the capital of Khatlon province on August 25.
The meeting reviewed the province’s economic results over the first seven months of this year.
According to presidential press service, the head of state stressed that local authorities did not pay a proper attention to cotton growing despite measures taken by the government to promote enhancement of the cotton subsector, including writing off cotton farmers’ debts. He ordered the implementation of measures to increase the production of fine-fiber cotton.
The president also touched upon issues related to development of new lands, illegal allotment of farmland for housing, enhancement of livestock subsector, construction of river bank protection works, and rational use of natural resources.
Dwelling on the industrial sector, Rahmon noted that 133 local enterprises have increased production compared to January-July 2009, 63 other enterprises have reached the January-July 2009 production level, and 53 enterprises have not been in operation over the report period. Fourteen new industrial enterprises have been built and more than 500 new jobs have been created in the province since the beginning of this year, the president noted.
On the energy sector, Rahmon noted that 41 small hydropower plants were scheduled to be built in Khatlon in the near future. Construction of six small hydropower plants is under way in the area; in all, 18 small hydropower plants have been introduced into operation in Khatlon in recent years.
He ordered the Ministry of Energy and Industries, Barqi Tojik power holding (Tajik electricity supplier, the energy project management unit, and local authorities to take adequate measures to ensure timely implementation of hydroelectricity projects designed for 2009-2010 in order to provide the population with electricity during autumn-winter season.
On the energy sector, Rahmon noted that 41 small hydropower plants were scheduled to be built in Khatlon in the near future. Construction of six small hydropower plants is under way in the area; in all, 18 small hydropower plants have been introduced into operation in Khatlon in recent years.
He ordered the Ministry of Energy and Industries, Barqi Tojik power holding (Tajik electricity supplier, the energy project management unit, and local authorities to take adequate measures to ensure timely implementation of hydroelectricity projects designed for 2009-2010 in order to provide the population with electricity during autumn-winter season.
Speaking at the meeting, Rahmon also pointed to the necessity of enhancement of the education and health sectors, increase in the number of schools of a new type.
In conclusion, the head of state expressed gratitude to all those who had made contribution to the construction of residential buildings for disaster-hit residents of Kulob.
