DUSHANBE, July 3, 2012, Asia-Plus — Dushanbe Mayor Mahmadsaid Ubaydulloyev has reportedly called on imam-khatibs of Dushanbe’s mosques to promote reduction in prices of basic food items ahead of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
The mayor held a meeting with participation of senior representatives of Dushanbe’s law enforcement agencies, heads of the local council’s commissions, clerics and heads of local bazaars on July 2.
According to the press center of the Dushanbe mayor’s office, issues related to installation of surveillance cameras in economic entities and mosques as well as reduction in prices of basis food products ahead the Muslim holy month of Ramadan were a major topic of the meeting.
Speaking at the meeting, the mayor reportedly called on imam-khatibs of Dushanbe’s mosques to use their authority to promote reduction in prices of the basic food items ahead of Ramadan.
He also noted that the mayor’s office was ready to exempt farmers from paying final fees for running shops at local bazaars, the source said.
We will recall that the Dushanbe authorities took unpopular measures last year to curb food price hikes. The mayor of Dushanbe in May last year called on market traders to lower the prices they charged for flour, beef, and lamb, following a spike in the cost of basic food items. Food prices in Tajikistan rose dramatically last year due to increase in the price of fuel and the U.S. dollar”s rise against the local currency. At least ten butchers were arrested and questioned in Dushanbe in May last year for failing to comply with a recommendation by the mayor’s office to lower the meat prices.
