— In our country, the "makhallabay" system was introduced for the first time. What is the nature of this position for you, how do you see and understand it?
— This position was established at the initiative of the President of our country at a video conference held in October 2021, with the aim of providing financial assistance to the implementation of entrepreneurial initiatives of the population, providing them with profitable labor, reducing poverty through the work of “makhallabay” and studying the socio-economic state of the makhalla through “honadonbay”. So, the main task of assistants to the khokims is to study the problems of the population, solve them directly at the grassroots level, and socio-economic development of makhallas.
— Tell us more about yourself and how you came to this position. How familiar were you with the work of the makhalla before, where you are now an assistant to the khokim? What is your past work experience that allows you to solve the tasks assigned?
— In 2019, I started working as an assistant to the khokim of Andijan, chairman of the Women's committee, and since 2020 I have been working as a deputy khokim – head of the Makhalla and Family support department. The main goal of my activity is to improve the makhalla system, study and solve the problems of the population, ensure satisfaction with the lives of our women, and directly participate in improving their marital status. In 2021, I participated in a video conference as a deputy khokim and was one of the first to express my willingness to work as an assistant to the khokim in the makhalla. Since January 2022, I have been working as an assistant to the khokim at Bogishamol makhalla in Andijan.
In my subsequent work, it was very useful to me that before this position I worked in the structure of the khokimiyat – specifically in the field of makhalla and family support, and also gained the necessary experience in maintaining the "Iron Notebook" and later the "Women Notebook", which were created to provide socio-economic support to the population during the most difficult periods of the pandemic. We provided them with financial and moral support, and worked towards identifying their problems individually. In addition, I would not be mistaken if I said that my 4-year activity as deputy governor helped me solve 70-80% of the problems of my makhalla.
— Tell us in detail about your makhalla. Where is it located, in the village or in the city, what is its size? What large enterprises are there for the work of the residents of makhalla, what types of activities are local people engaged in? What kind of social infrastructure facilities are there in the makhalla (school, kindergarten, medical center, etc.)?
— The makhalla where I work borders the districts of the city of Andijan, the main part consists of hilly terrain, the land area has 996 hectares, the living area of the population is 45 hectares. It was on the list as a socially difficult makhalla. To ensure the employment of makhalla women, there are 3 industrial enterprises, 1 glass manufacturing enterprise, 10 small businesses, 13 service facilities and 14 grocery stores. In addition, Bogi Bobur Park is located on our territory, 15 catering outlets and 20 recreation places provide their services. There are 9 general education schools and 3 family institutions of preschool education out of social infrastructure facilities.
— Which social groups make up the majority in the region, how many poor and low-income people need support? Is it possible to show the "social portrait" of your makhalla in numbers?
— The total number of households in the makhalla is 946, the population is 5,096 people, the number of families is 1,126. Of these, 65 are included in the 1st category; 358 in the 2nd category; 523 in the 3rd category. The number of citizens included in socially vulnerable groups has reached 66, at the moment 23 unemployed have been identified. A specific plan of measures has been developed to provide targeted assistance to citizens included in the category of those in need of support. Work is currently underway to implement it.
Thanks to the honadonbay work system, the social status of the region's families, the level of use of household plots, as well as the desire to engage in entrepreneurship were studied. As a result, as of February 2022, the number of households in the first category was 102, the second category was 221, and the third category was 423. We developed an addressable "roadmap" to increase their incomes, and for families belonging to the first category, I kept separate folders and set myself the task of increasing their monthly income income.
The makhalla is mainly engaged in tailoring, maintenance, manufacture of kurpa mattresses, handicrafts and handicrafts. The goal was to train able-bodied citizens of families in professional and entrepreneurial skills, and then provide them with equipment to generate income. Initially, the makhalla clarified the number of unemployed citizens, the number of which was 70. The state of the region's infrastructure was also studied and the necessary tasks in these areas were identified. 68 citizens included in the "Women Notebook" and "Youth Notebook" were provided with sewing machines on the basis of a subsidy, after which they were registered as self-employed persons.
— As a result of the conducted research and studies, what are the main causes of poverty among the residents of the makhalla? What approaches have you developed to overcome them and solve the existing problems?
— Based on the results of the survey and research, I realized that it is necessary to provide employment for families in need of social assistance and teach them entrepreneurial skills on the principle of “mentor-student". In this case, 68 women and young people of the makhalla were included in the "Women and Youth Notebooks", and their homes were provided with equipment, that is, sewing machines, computer kits, stoves and motorized cultivator equipment, on the basis of a subsidy in the amount of 502 million sums. Despite the fact that many jobs have been created on our territory, salaries here are not very satisfying for citizens. Today, many citizens operate on the basis of self-employment.
— What measures have been implemented to develop entrepreneurship in the makhalla? What results have been achieved in this regard in 2023?
— A number of measures have been carried out to employ unemployed citizens of the makhalla. In particular, due to self–employment, 13 women were provided with subsidies, 43 were provided with sewing machines on the basis of sponsorship, 5 citizens were provided with computers through sponsorship, 3 persons with motorcycle cultivators, and 2 citizens were provided with an oven on the basis of subsidies, and 68 with equipment for artisans. Greenhouses have been built for 4 more citizens on the basis of sponsorship. 41 citizens received loans in the amount of 1 billion 58 million sums under the "Every family is an entrepreneur" program, new jobs were created and about 200 people were provided with jobs.
In addition, about 10 new projects were developed, 168 citizens received a referral for vocational training at the monocenter and were provided with jobs. About 400 people employed in the informal sector of the makhalla were registered and became self-employed. 4 new entrepreneurship development projects have been organized and 200 new jobs have been created. 11 young people registered in the red category have been employed under the employment program, 2 have been employed permanently, two more have been given loans, 7 have been provided with the necessary equipment on the basis of subsidies.
— For the sustainable development of the makhalla, the availability and condition of transport, energy, communal, social and other infrastructures are important. What kind of work is being carried out in this regard?
— A number of works have been carried out to improve the infrastructure of our makhalla. Two billion 600 million sums have been allocated to improve the lives of people who have not been provided with clean drinking water for 40 years, and a new 6.5 km long water supply network has been laid. As a result, about 400 households were provided with drinking water. 150 lighting fixtures, 5 transformers, 110 concrete poles for electricity have been installed. In addition, a mini-stadium has been built on the basis of "OPEN BUDGET" on the school's territory, and 8 new recreation areas have been created for the development of tourism.
— What suggestions do you have to improve the efficiency of the makhallabay work system?
— I would not be mistaken if I say that in this regard, the decree developed by the President of our country on measures to further improve the support of the makhalla, radically increase the role of the makhalla institute in society and ensure its functioning as a primary link in solving the problems of the population came in handy. This decree noted the need to support the activities of the Makhalla Seven, to help the makhalla become an independent structure acting as a "bridge" between the people and the state, and, above all, to strengthen the work aimed at ensuring that every resident feels responsible for the future, financial situation and well-being of himself and his family.
— What has changed in the makhalla during your activity, how do the residents feel about it? Has their trust in the institute of khokim assistants and the makhallabay system as a whole increased?
— During my career, I have founded 13 new business entities. People began to believe that it was possible to get out of poverty by developing entrepreneurship and increasing family income through self-employment. Employment of unemployed residents of the makhalla is also provided. Naturally, the population is witnessing all this. It's nice to hear from people that theassistants to the khokim act as the main bridge between government agencies and the people. Most importantly, we work diligently and selflessly to satisfy the population, become direct participants in a person's search for their place in society, and also contribute to improving people's living conditions. I am ready to use all my knowledge and experience for this. Of course, citizens who have seen positive results in their lives will have confidence in the future, which gives me even more strength to justify the President's trust!
Jamoliddin Turdimov
"Economic Review" Journal №1/2024
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