DUSHANBE, July 24, Asia-Plus — Over the first half-year of 2007, all categories of farming units have paid 14.41 million somonis for water consumption, which is only 19.7 percent of actual consumption of water, Deputy Land Reclamation and Water Resources Minister, Kamol Nouraliyev, told journalists in Dushanbe on July 23.
According to him, farming units now owe 58.9 million somonis to the Ministry of Land Reclamation and Water Resources (MLRWR) for water consumed.
The deputy minister noted that nonpayment of debts is one the main reasons for delays in repairing pump stations and pipes, which have become obsolete and require rehabilitation.
“The ministry has launched claims for a total amount of 13.1 million somonis against the most incorrigible nonpayers, and claims for 3.1 million somonis have to date been upheld,” the deputy minister said.
Asked about the amount of water Tajikistan sells to other countries, Nouraliyev said that Tajikistan has not yet sold any liter of water.
