DUSHANBE, June 30, 2010, Asia-Plus — The group of the People’s Democratic Party (PDPT) within the Majlisi Namoyandagon (Tajikistan’s lower chamber of parliament) does not avoid meeting journalists, the PDPT group head Jumaboy Sanginov told reporters on June 30.
“Our group is always ready to cooperate with all media irrespective of forms of their property,” MP said.
Asked about unwillingness of MPs, representing the ruling party in parliament, to comment upon events taking place in the country and the region, including controversial toll road in the country, Sanginov noted that indeed, the parliament had endorsed the draft concession agreement between the government and the Innovative Road Solutions (IRS) company on operating the toll.
“We have made such a decision to ensure maintenance of the highway and repayment of loans taken for rehabilitation of the road, while the toll rates were set by the government. In my opinion, current toll rates are too high and must be reviewed” Sanginov said.
On the sudden spike in gasoline prices, MP noted that that issue was outside parliament’s competence. “The government should examine this issue,” he noted.
Asked about shift to one-chamber parliament, Jumaboy Sanginov said, “Tajikistan made shift to bicameral parliament as a result of referendum and today, there is no necessity in liquidation of the upper house because it supplements functions of the lower house.”
