— 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?
– I can say with confidence that the introduction of the post of assistant to the khokim in the makhallas has created the most effective institution for directly listening to citizens' appeals. Especially citizens living in makhallas remote from the district center and having family problems. With the help of this system, it is possible to carry out an inventory of empty, unproductive buildings and land plots on the territory of the mahalla, offer them to business entities for employment of unemployed residents of the makhalla and provide their families with material income. I believe that the introduction of this position is one of the strategic reforms proposed by the President aimed at the well-being of the local population, and can bring effective results in the near future.
— 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?
– Since January 2022, I started working as an assistant to the khokim on business development, employment and poverty reduction in "Nurli Bostan" makhalla of the Kegeyli district. Before that, in 2004-2016, after graduating from Karakalpak State University in 2004, I worked as a methodologist at the Department of Public Education of the Kegeyli district, and in 2016-2022 I worked in the district khokimiyat as a chief specialist, head of the organizational and control group of the khokimiyat, worked as deputy khokim of the district on youth policy, social development and spiritual and educational work. My previous work experience has significantly expanded my communication skills with citizens.
– Tell us about your makhalla and its infrastructure. What is its "social profile"?
– Our makhalla is located in the center of Kegeyli district. Its main economic "driver" is the service sector. There are 1 specialized school, 2 secondary schools, 2 preschool institutions, 1 polyclinic, 3 private polyclinics, 1 district medical hospital, 3 workshops for the production of bread and bakery products, 2 furniture stores, 2 wedding halls, 12 catering outlets, 8 small manufacturing enterprises. The total number of households in the makhalla is 559, the population is 2395, and families are 655. Of these, there are 28 households in the first category, 467 in the second, and 64 in the third. There are currently 87 unemployed people.
– How did you develop relations with the residents of the makhalla, was it not difficult to establish contact with them?
– There were no difficulties here, because I was born and raised in this makhalla. From the day I took office, first of all, I got to know the chairman of the makhalla, his deputy for women's affairs, as well as youth leaders, and determined the initial plans. I organized a meeting with activists of 22 streets and compiled a list of problems in the makhalla. I also created a group in Telegram and asked citizens to join. Every day, together with active citizens, we discuss the problems of the makhalla, conduct systematic work with relevant organizations to solve them.
By taking into account each family living in the makhalla, a list of unemployed residents was compiled. Data on vacant buildings and land plots in the territory were also clarified, and detailed studies were conducted. With the participation of representatives of the district administration and on the basis of developed business plans, work was organized to provide these facilities to unemployed residents on a competitive basis.
– You have conducted a number of studies and surveys in your makhalla. Tell us in detail about their results, what did you manage to determine?
– As an assistant to the khokim, I conducted an online survey "Problems of the makhalla". According to the survey results, the largest percentage of responses were related to the repair of makhalla roads, the installation of night lighting lamps, and the rebuilding of garbage sites around multi-storey buildings. The identified problems were successfully solved with the participation of makhalla activists through the use of 500 million soums allocated by our state to each makhalla.
– What are the main causes of poverty among the residents of the makhalla have been identified? Tell us about the measures that are being taken to eliminate these causes?
– At the beginning of 2023, a survey was conducted in the makhalla, during which the socioeconomic situation of households was studied and they were divided into 3 categories. It was found that 87 citizens of 28 households of the 1st category are not employed. An individual program has been developed to bring these citizens out of poverty, on the basis of which the following measures are being implemented: employment, allocation of land for starting agricultural activities, referral to a Monocenter in the field of profession and entrepreneurship, provision of preferential loans and subsidies for starting business.
– What kind of work has been done to provide social support to the residents of the makhalla?
– Together with the chairman of the makhalla, women's activists and youth leaders, a Roadmap was developed in order to work together with the unemployed and citizens of the makhalla in need of social protection and provide them with assistance. During the year, unemployed and residents in need of social protection studied various professions in Monocenters to gain knowledge on the basics of entrepreneurship. These citizens were assisted in purchasing equipment on the basis of subsidies and preferential loans. Now they have become self-employed.
In addition, poor makhalla families were identified and studied, and their specific problems were solved. The house of citizen Makhsetbay Allabayev was rebuilt, the roof of Sarygul Pirlepesova's house was covered with slate, and Gulbakhor Asanova's house was renovated thanks to the sponsorship of active makhalla entrepreneurs. Also, with the support of sponsors, the roofs of 11 makhalla households were covered with slate. Due to subsidies for household lands, greenhouses of light construction were built, and 5 150 mm water pumps were provided for irrigation of the territory of the makhalla.
Read full version
Jamoliddin Turdimov, CERR
"Economic Review" Journal №2/2024
leave a comment