— Since 2022, 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?
— It is no secret that today the makhalla system, like all spheres in our country, is rapidly developing thanks to the special attention of the Head of our state, and all conditions are being created for every citizen to find his place in society as a person. The socio-economic development of makhalla plays a leading role in this. Therefore, I expressed a desire to participate in this new project along with personnel with leadership qualities, knowledge and potential. I am pleased to be one of the first participants in a project that is significant for Uzbekistan, where world experience is used in harmony with our unique national values.
— What work has been done so far?
— Employment of 148 citizens was provided in the first half of this year. In particular, 42 residents were employed due to the development of family entrepreneurship, 65 — due to the allocation of a plot of land with an area of 10 acres of land, 32 — were arranged for available vacant jobs, 115 — due to self-employment (hairdresser, shoemaker, baker, blacksmith, carpenter, tailor, taxi driver, programmer), 64 - as a result legalization of workers engaged in informal activities, 23 — through the allocation of subsidies (45 million sums). In addition, to date, 74 citizens are listed as having left to live and work in Russia (71) and Turkey (3). Systematic work is currently being carried out so that they return to the country as soon as possible and find a suitable job for themselves.
— What kind of research and surveys did you conduct here as an assistant to the khokim? Please tell us in detail about their results. What have you found out?
— I started my activity as an assistant to the khokim by conducting surveys in order to study the proposals and problems of the population. Makhalla “Sarayon” has united the villages of Kuchatzor and Urmonzor. The economically active population is 1,451 people, which, according to the results of the survey conducted on the territory, was divided into 4 categories: the first category — 122 unemployed; the second category — 322 households with permanent income, but wishing to receive additional income; the third category — 61 households in need of social protection and having members with disabilities; the fourth category consists of 157 households with a fixed income, at the same time with an additional source of income. It is clearly seen here that households with a fixed income, but those who want to receive additional income, make up the majority. It was revealed that 122 people are unemployed, and appropriate measures have been taken.
— Based on the conducted research, what priorities have you chosen in support and assistance? Tell us more about successful projects.
— The number of boys and girls aged 15-30 in our makhalla is 436 people, women — 1,835, including migrants working abroad — 155, and officially unemployed — 130. Of course, the first thing I paid attention to was the systematic solution of youth problems. I’ve started my work by providing assistance in providing employment to unemployed or interested in entrepreneurial activity to young people living in 14 multi-storey buildings of the territory by increasing points of trade and consumer services.
— Have the main causes of poverty been identified as a result of the study? What approaches have you developed to eliminate them and solve existing problems?
— What is poverty itself? Poverty manifests itself in the presence of obstacles to a person's full participation in society, the lack of employment opportunities to feed a family, get education or medical treatment, work in some field or earn income, as well as limited access to credit. To reduce poverty, it is necessary to pursue a comprehensive economic and social policy to awaken the spirit of entrepreneurship in the population, fully realize the inner strength and potential of a person, and create new jobs. In addition, the most important factor of getting out of poverty is determined by a person's aspiration, self-confidence, purposeful actions.
Of course, the first practical work in this regard begins with studying the lifestyle of the population, paying attention to the availability of resources that can serve as a basis for their ability to work and family well-being. If the goal is clear, the actions will show the result. Of course, we will have to work hard for this. And we will see the effect at the very end.
— Tell us, what work has been done in terms of social support for the residents of the makhalla? What innovative and ready-made ways have you used in your work to support poor families? Give examples and tell us in detail about the results of working with these households.
— At the beginning of the year, 16 citizens were on the list of the poor, each of them worked separately. Their family conditions, lifestyle and opportunities were carefully studied. I have involved deputies of the regional and city councils, activists of the makhalla in this case. As a result of the survey and interviews, a plan was drawn up to lift citizens out of poverty. First of all, I began to study the mental state of family members, to motivate them to strive for a better life. The goal was to train able-bodied household citizens in professional or entrepreneurial skills, and then provide them with equipment so that they could earn income. In addition, with the support of sponsors, chickens were distributed to these families, donations and moral support were provided. In total, 148 citizens were employed in the first half of this year. In particular, within the framework of the family entrepreneurship development program, 1.8 billion sums were allocated to the makhalla. Currently 42 residents have been given recommendations on the implementation of their entrepreneurial projects, and the “Agrobank” has allocated funds in the amount of 1 billion sums.
— Have any studies been conducted on which "growth points" and directions can best ensure the economic development of your makhalla?
— Studying possible "growth points", I found out that the incomes of the population largely depend on the availability of household plots, but there are many opportunities to improve the well-being of villagers by developing a service service. Given the specialization and "growth points" of the makhalla, one can see a wide scale of opportunities for the development of family entrepreneurship.
Based on the broad potential of our makhalla in the service sector, it is planned to contribute to providing additional income for most households by organizing entrepreneurial projects, taking into account the wishes of the owners of households in the direction of providing services. And today, efforts have already been made in this regard.
The conducted research has shown the relevance of the tasks for the development of family entrepreneurship in the mahalla, vocational training of the unemployed population, expanding the opportunities of residents for self-employment. Also, the development of animal husbandry and fattening of livestock, the improvement of the production of building materials were identified as the drivers of the makhalla. Only the first steps have been taken in this direction. The main work is still ahead. Now we are working on the development of "growth points".
— What has changed in the makhalla during your activity, how do the residents treat you? Has their confidence in the institute of assistants to the khokims and the makhallabay system as a whole increased?
— The purpose of the introduction of the assistants to the khokims institute is to increase the confidence of our residents through the comprehensive development of the makhalla and solving the problems of the population. Indeed, today residents find a solution to their problems by turning to the assistant to the khokim, and not to higher organizations. People are happy that thanks to the makhallabay system of work, all issues can be solved in the makhalla itself.
For example, in order to establish entrepreneurial activity, citizens had to visit the bank several times to get a loan. Sometimes it took years, and they either got a loan or not. Now there are no such problems anymore. Today, residents who have expressed a desire to engage in entrepreneurship submit an electronic application under the family entrepreneurship program. The loan is issued within two days on the recommendation of the assistant to the khokim. Undoubtedly, this will increase the trust of citizens and give an incentive for the development of entrepreneurship.
— Based on your experience, tell me for what reasons there are recorded cases of poverty in the makhalla? What else do you think needs to be done to reduce the level of poverty in the makhalla?
— I believe that in order to reduce poverty, first of all, a comprehensive economic and social policy should be pursued to awaken the spirit of entrepreneurship among the population, the full realization of internal forces and human potential, as well as the creation of new jobs. At the same time, the most important factors for getting out of poverty are a clear plan and financial support.
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Read full interview — Помощники хокимов — среди народа (махалля "Сараён")
Jamoliddin Turdimov, CERR "Economic Review" Journal №11/2022
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