DUSHANBE, February 15, 2011, Asia-Plus — A number of land allotment scams were revealed in Tajikistan yesterday, according to the Ministry of Interior (MoI).
The source says that S.B., an official with the Vandat technical inventory agency, in June 2009 issued a false property certification document for an area of 0.06 ha to local resident for “generous fee.”
Similar crime was also revealed in Dushanbe. Local resident using false property certification document sold a lot at the Khovaron area to A.S. for US$6,000.
Another crime related to illegal land allotment was revealed in Sughd’s Panjakent district. I.K., a land surveyor from the Sarazm dehqon farm, was detained yesterday on suspicion of bribery. “The preliminary investigation has established that I.K. in July 2009 illegally allotted 0.14 hectares to local resident for US$700.00,” the source said.
We will recall that the president has offered to toughen punishment for illegal land acquisition and illegal allotment of land. An appropriate bill requiring amendments regarding illegal land acquisition and illegal allotment of land to the country’s Penal Code was submitted for consideration to the parliament on January 29. The amendment to Article 338 of Tajikistan’s Penal Code provides for toughening punishment for illegal acquisition of land and construction in illegally acquired areas. Besides, the president offers to add a new article regarding illegal allotment of land to the Penal Code. Article 338 (1) stipulates that illegal allotment of land is punishable by a penalty fee equivalent to 1,460 accounting indices and up to eight years in jail. Current accounting index amounts 40.00 somoni.
