Society news

In Tashkent city, a 43-year-old man was administratively detained for three days for insulting an inspector of the Capital Parking company who has hearing and speech impairments. This was reported by Upl.uz. The incident occurred on July 29 and was reviewed on August 8 at the Mirabad district criminal court. Representatives of the Capital Parking company stated that unfortunately, cases of drivers insulting inspectors, including those with disabilities, are not uncommon. The body cameras installed on the company’s inspectors record the incident precisely and are presented as solid evidence in court. According to court information, the accused had previously been held administratively liable and was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the offense. He uttered offensive words, disturbed with hand gestures, and even attempted to offer a bribe to the inspector. The inspector showed him how to make the payment through the info kiosk. In court, the man admitted his guilt, stating that he was under emotional stress due to family problems and apologized to the court. However, the court found G. X. guilty of minor hooliganism under Article 183 of the Administrative Liability Code and sentenced him to three days of administrative detention. Additionally, considering that the man had no official workplace, he was exempted from payment for being held in a special reception center. Representatives of Capital Parking emphasized that inappropriate behavior towards an inspector is not only rudeness but can also lead to fines, imprisonment, or criminal liability. Every inspector is equipped with a body camera, recording every word and action. If you have any questions, contact the call center, but do not raise your hand against or insult the inspector, as such actions require accountability before the law.

The new academic year in all general education schools in the Republic of Uzbekistan will begin on Tuesday, September 2. This was reported by Upl.uz. The press service of the Ministry of Preschool and School Education of the Republic of Uzbekistan announced this. The first lesson of the new academic year will be held under the slogan "For the Homeland, for the Nation, for the People!" This lesson will be on the topic "Hour of the Future," aimed at instilling national ideas and patriotism in students. Additionally, more than 738 thousand first-grade students will receive a gift from the President. The gift consists of 12 different school supplies designed to make young students' school life more comfortable and enjoyable. These events are aimed at starting the new academic year meaningfully and improving the quality of education.

Earthquakes were recorded in the territory of Uzbekistan. This was reported by Upl.uz. According to the data from the Republican Seismoprosthetic Monitoring Center under the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the source of the earthquake was located in the territory of Kyrgyzstan. The earthquake occurred on August 25 at 22:59. Its magnitude was 4.6, and the focal depth was 15 kilometers. The intensity of the shock at the epicenter reached 5 points. In Tashkent, located 343 kilometers southeast of the epicenter, the tremor was also felt. At the same time, the intensity of the tremors in the country was as follows: 2 points in Fergana region and 2 points in Andijan region. This information is of great importance for monitoring earthquake safety in the regions. The tremors occurring in the territory of Uzbekistan are being closely monitored by the population and officials.

New LED panels have been installed on the surface of the Tashkent TV Tower, completely changing its appearance. This was reported by Upl.uz. Last night, a large-sized flag of Uzbekistan was displayed on the new screens. This was likely done in connection with the Independence Day celebrated by the Uzbek people on September 1. State flags were hung on the city streets, and brightly illuminated structures appeared on the central road pillars. The LED screens on the TV tower received various reactions on social media. Supporters of the new changes consider this a factor that brings a modern look to the city and emphasize that the TV tower becomes a more prominent symbol of the capital. Conversely, critics argue that the LED panels disrupt the architectural harmony of the tower and highlight the tastelessness of its appearance, disapproving of the design. Thus, the new changes are causing diverse opinions in social discourse.

A new telecommunications regulatory agency is being established in Uzbekistan. This was reported by Upl.uz. This agency was approved by the decree of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The new structure will be responsible for monitoring the quality of services provided by internet providers and communication operators. Quality monitoring is planned to be conducted at least once a month. The agency will be structurally and financially independent, but will report directly to the government. The establishment of this body is aimed at increasing efficiency and transparency in the telecommunications sector. Earlier, in mid-July, a document was signed on the dissolution of the Information and Mass Communications Agency. Some functions of that agency have been transferred to "Uzkomnazorat". The activities of the new agency will serve to improve quality in the sector and strengthen service oversight. This will help provide the population with high-quality telecommunications services. Additionally, the new organization will play an important role in ensuring compliance with legislation and regulations in the sector. Reforms in the telecommunications sector serve the country's digital development strategy. This also has a positive impact on other branches of the economy. Through the effective operation of the new agency, favorable conditions will be created for citizens and business entities. Thus, the quality and level of service in the telecommunications sector will increase. Cooperation between the public and private sectors will be strengthened. This will enable further development of the country's digital infrastructure. The activities of the new agency are intended to comply not only with domestic but also international standards. This will contribute to enhancing Uzbekistan's reputation in the telecommunications sector. Thus, the new agency will play an important role in further strengthening the telecommunications system and improving the quality of services.

Five companies in Uzbekistan were fined a total of 562.5 million soums for engaging in illegal labor activities abroad. This was reported by Upl.uz. According to the Migration Agency, these firms operated without the necessary licenses. Each of the companies Wolrdvisa, Everyone Consult, Adworld Group, Rich Result, and Ravon Consult Group was required to pay a fine of 112.5 million soums. Measures of accountability have been taken against the company leaders, and lawsuits have been filed against them in economic courts. It has been revealed that these organizations collected money from citizens under the pretext of consulting services but did not provide practical assistance. They actively promoted their services on social networks. The Migration Agency reminds citizens to be cautious and warns that seeking jobs through unlicensed organizations can lead to serious financial and legal problems. Therefore, it is recommended to contact only official and licensed organizations when organizing labor activities.

An underground passage was built in Tashkent region in a record time of only 48 hours. This was reported by Upl.uz. This can be recognized as a historic achievement. However, despite the speed of construction, several questions have arisen among citizens. In the text published on social networks, the author drew attention to the absence of ramps in the passage. This makes it difficult for people with disabilities and parents with strollers to use it. Thus, although the project was built quickly, it is not accessible to all people. This is a problem not only for this underground passage but also for other infrastructure facilities. The speed of construction often contradicts the principles of inclusivity, and more attention is needed in this area. It is important that infrastructure is convenient and usable for all citizens.

According to information obtained from the press service of the Emergency Situations Department of Fergana region, on August 25, 2023, at around 11:40, a road traffic accident occurred on Islam Karimov Street in the city of Fergana. This was reported by Upl.uz. While moving, a vehicle of the model “Tracker” caught fire. Since the fire started inside the cabin, the driver lost control of the vehicle and went off the road into a green area. Emergency service personnel arrived at the scene within three minutes and extinguished the fire within one minute. By 11:45, the vehicle was completely extinguished. As a result of the fire, the driver was hospitalized with burns covering 20 percent of his body. The causes of the fire are currently being investigated.

A new law signed by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has come into force in Uzbekistan. This was reported by Upl.uz. This law regulates the procedure for collecting sponsorship assistance. From now on, unlawful interference by officials in the activities of non-governmental non-profit organizations will result in a fine ranging from seven to ten times the base calculation amount. This fine ranges from 2,884,000 soums to 4,120,000 soums. Citizens violating the rules for collecting sponsorship assistance will be fined from three to five times the base calculation amount, that is, from 1,236,000 soums to 2,060,000 soums. Officials violating such rules will be fined from five to seven times the base calculation amount, that is, from 2,060,000 soums to 2,884,000 soums. According to the new rules, collecting sponsorship assistance must be carried out only for clearly defined interested persons and within specified timeframes. Cash funds can only be collected through sealed, transparent boxes with the signature of an authorized person. In addition, funds transferred to bank accounts in accordance with the procedure established by law are excluded from this. This law aims to ensure transparency and legality in the process of collecting sponsorship assistance in society.

A large tourism complex worth 140 billion soums is planned to be built in Surxondaryo region. This was reported by Upl.uz. This project will be implemented near the South Surxondaryo water reservoir. The total area of the new recreational zone will be 15.7 hectares. According to the regional administration, special attention has been paid to environmental protection in the project development. The plan includes creating extensive green areas and building infrastructure based on all ecological requirements. Within the complex, special zones for walking, pontoons designed for boats, fountains, and other recreational and entertainment facilities will be constructed. This project was presented to the regional leader Ulug‘bek Qosimov. Additionally, the Surxondaryo administration plans to establish a cluster for the production of reinforced concrete products alongside the development of tourism. This enterprise will be located in the former Surxan combine buildings and is expected to be put up for sale through an auction in the near future. These initiatives will serve to further strengthen the region's economy.

A draft law is being discussed in Uzbekistan that provides for rewarding citizens who report non-food products that do not meet mandatory requirements. This was reported by Upl.uz. Complaints can be sent to control authorities and if confirmed, monetary rewards will be paid to the complainant. For example, this concerns the absence of certificates, incorrect labeling, or other violations of safety standards. This initiative aims to strengthen product quality control and enhance consumer safety. Providing monetary rewards encourages citizens to report illegal situations more actively. This will help reduce the number of low-quality and unsafe products in the market. In this way, consumers' rights are protected and the quality of products in the market improves. If the draft law is adopted, it will contribute to the effective functioning of this system. Active participation of citizens will strengthen control and help prevent undesirable situations. Overall, this new mechanism will serve to strengthen the supply of quality and safe products in the country.

As of January 1, 2025, the number of small enterprises and microfirms led by women in Uzbekistan amounted to 43,860. This was reported by Upl.uz. This information was provided by the State Statistics Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The majority of these enterprises operate in sectors traditionally considered small business fields. The distribution by sectors is as follows: - in the service sector – 17,239; - in the trade sector – 17,161; - in the industrial sector – 5,464; - in other sectors – 3,996. Thus, most women entrepreneurs choose the service and trade sectors for their activities. Entry barriers in these sectors are usually low, and demand for services is consistently high. The net income from the sale of products of small enterprises and microfirms led by women amounted to 47.7 trillion soums. This figure increased by 10.1 trillion soums compared to the same period last year. This indicates the growing economic activity of women entrepreneurs.

The Committee for the Development of Competition and Protection of Consumer Rights announced the results of inspections conducted in the field of public procurement. This was reported by Upl.uz. During these inspections, illegal activities exceeding 4.3 billion soums were identified. Investigations conducted across the country revealed systemic problems related to violations of the principles of fair competition and transparency. In the Republic of Karakalpakstan, serious violations were found in a tender organized by the Kung'rat sanatorium, part of the "Uzbekistan Railways" joint-stock company, involving a contract worth 654 million soums. As a result of measures taken by the committee, the contract was canceled and an administrative fine was imposed on the procurement organizer. In Andijan region, two procurement processes by the local phthisiatric sanatorium were inspected. Violations of legal procedures were found in lots totaling 270 million soums. An official warning was issued to the customer, and the responsible person’s case was sent to court. In Bukhara region, in a 440 million soums tender for food supply, it was found that the selection commission gave preference to participants who did not fully meet qualification requirements, and a mandatory instruction was issued to the customer. In Navoi region, the preschool and school education department of Gazgan city put two companies with the same founder into a tender for food procurement worth 41.2 million soums. This constitutes a violation of competition law. Cases were opened against both companies. Additionally, the city landscaping department was accused of unfairness in the evaluation of equipment procurement worth 63 million soums. An anti-competitive agreement was identified between BRIGHT LAND company and its competitor, resulting in a substantial financial penalty imposed on BRIGHT LAND. In Kashkadarya region, violations were found in the evaluation criteria of participants’ proposals in four tenders worth 70 million soums conducted by the Kashanskiy district branch of the Uzbekistan Neighborhoods Association. Documents for administrative liability were sent to court against the responsible person. In Samarkand region, seven tenders worth 2.6 billion soums conducted through the etender.uzex.uz electronic platform revealed participation of two affiliated legal entities, which artificially created an advantage and eliminated genuine competition, leading to financial penalties imposed by the court. In Syrdarya region, three public procurements of the Republican Scientific and Practical Center of Dermatovenereology and Cosmetology, totaling 62 million soums, were inspected. As a result, a case was opened, instructions were given to eliminate violations, and materials were submitted to the relevant authorities. In Tashkent region, it was found that FOROFFICE and FULL-MIX companies submitted bids from the same IP address in a 271 million soums tender conducted by the "Uzbekcoal" joint-stock company, and they were fined. Committee representatives emphasized that the Law "On Competition" requires strict adherence to the principles of equality and fairness in public procurement. Manipulating tender results, participation of affiliated persons, or anti-competitive agreements are strictly prohibited. Globally, artificial intelligence-based systems are widely used to combat violations in public procurement. These systems analyze millions of transactions in real-time, enabling the detection of suspiciously low prices, "one-day" companies, or invisible connections between participants. This serves to ensure transparency and legality in public procurement.

On August 25, the Capital Emergency Situations Department received a report about a cat that had fallen into a deep pit in Yunusobod district, Mustaqillik Avenue. This was reported by Upl.uz. Rescuers promptly arrived at the scene and safely extracted the animal. The cat, without expressing gratitude to the rescuers, quickly continued on its way. This incident once again confirmed the prompt and skilled work of the rescue team. The safety of city residents and care for animals are always a priority. Rescuers are ready to act quickly in any emergency situation and support those in need of help. Such cases also contribute to improving their professional skills. Additionally, the public should also pay attention to the animals around them. The cat quickly continuing on its way is its natural behavior.

The judicial system of Uzbekistan is facing fundamental changes with the widespread introduction of digital technologies and artificial intelligence. This was reported by Upl.uz. The program adopted by presidential decree aims to fully digitize court proceedings and convert them into electronic form. This initiative is an important part of the strategy to modernize public administration and strengthen control over law enforcement. According to the approved “Digital Court” concept, printed documents will be gradually but completely phased out. According to the Ministry of Justice, the necessary technical and hardware infrastructure is being created for this purpose. As a key element of the new system, a special module for archiving court documents will be developed and integrated into the existing information platforms of the Supreme Court. The pilot phase of the project will be implemented in courts in Tashkent by the end of 2025, and in 2026-2027 this practice will be expanded to courts throughout the republic. One of the most important innovations is the introduction of a system for analyzing court cases and predicting outcomes using artificial intelligence. Citizens and legal entities will be able to assess the prospects of their cases and calculate court costs before submitting a claim. This will not only increase the legal literacy of the population but also help reduce frivolous claims filed in courts. Claims and other appeals will be accepted entirely in digital format. This eliminates the need to visit courts in person and allows participants in the process to cooperate remotely. Additionally, the system for automatic generation of court documents and draft decisions will accelerate court proceedings and reduce technical errors. Alongside technological updates, great attention is being paid to the development of legal science and the enhancement of personnel potential. Within the program, scientific research in cyber law will be conducted, and the digital literacy level of judges and court staff will be regularly improved. The Judges’ Higher School will be transformed into the Academy of Justice, which will serve to fundamentally improve the personnel training system. The reforms are also aimed at reducing the risk of corruption and eliminating bureaucratic obstacles. It is planned to expedite the resolution of simple matters by transferring non-contentious cases from civil and economic courts to administrative bodies. With digital technologies, administrative and economic cases can be considered without territorial dependence. Moreover, control over the implementation of laws and government decisions will be strengthened. Artificial intelligence systems will also be actively used in this process. Increasing the personal responsibility of heads of state bodies will further ensure the effectiveness of control. The introduction of artificial intelligence into the judicial system is a global trend. For example, in Estonia, one of the most digitized countries in the world, an independent “robot judge” deciding minor claims has been tested for several years. This lightens the judicial system and speeds up the justice process for citizens. Uzbekistan is also striving to widely implement these modern approaches.

In Uzbekistan, administrative liability has been introduced for creating obstacles to the activities of non-governmental non-profit organizations to strengthen the legal guarantees of their operations. This was reported by Upl.uz. This law was signed by the president on August 21, 2025, concluding the legal process that began on April 15 in the Legislative Chamber and was approved by the Senate on April 30. The new regulations are aimed at ensuring the liberalization of the civil society environment and protecting the legal interests of NGOs. As a central element of the reforms, Article 197-8 was added to the Administrative Liability Code. This article establishes clear sanctions against officials of state bodies for illegal interference in the activities of these organizations. According to the law, officials who create obstacles to the work of NGOs will be fined from 7 to 10 base calculation units. This amount in monetary terms ranges from 2,884,000 to 4,120,000 Uzbek soms. If such violations are repeated within a year, the fine amount will significantly increase to between 10 and 15 base calculation units, i.e., from 4,120,000 to 6,180,000 soms. Along with introducing new liability measures, lawmakers also reviewed existing sanctions. In particular, the maximum fine amount for NGOs that are not registered or accounted for, as well as for their representative offices and branches, has been reduced and set at 25 base calculation units. This corresponds to 10.3 million soms, whereas previously this figure was 30 base calculation units, or 12,360,000 soms. At the same time, the minimum fine amount was set from 15 to 25 base calculation units. The adopted amendments are part of a broad state policy aimed at developing civil society institutions, ensuring their independence, and creating favorable conditions for their effective operation. By the beginning of 2025, more than 10,000 non-governmental non-profit organizations were registered in Uzbekistan, operating in various fields such as social protection, education, ecology, and human rights protection.

Information circulating on social networks about a sharp increase in cases of poisoning from melons and watermelons in the capital has not been confirmed by official sources. This was reported by Upl.uz. Representatives of the Sanitary-Epidemiological Welfare and Public Health Committee denied these reports, stating that they do not correspond to reality. No emergency reports indicating mass poisoning have been received from relevant medical institutions in the capital, particularly infectious disease hospitals. According to experts, the current epidemiological situation is stable, and there is no cause for concern among the population. At the same time, the committee reminded the public once again to take precautionary measures. They advised against purchasing watermelons, melons, and other garden products from illegal trading points, especially those located along highways. Such places do not conduct the necessary laboratory inspections of products, and storage conditions are violated. The public is urged to buy only from official sales points, namely markets and supermarkets, where sanitary rules are observed. This issue has sparked widespread discussions following a recent tragic incident. In one of the city hospitals, a four-year-old child died. The child was admitted to the hospital with symptoms of acute food poisoning: vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, abdominal pain, and high fever. According to preliminary information, his brothers and sisters also experienced similar symptoms after consuming watermelon. Law enforcement agencies are conducting an investigation into the child's death. According to the initial forensic examination, the cause of death is likely cardiopulmonary failure, which may be related to an intestinal infection. Watermelon consists of 92 percent water, making it a good means to quench thirst. However, the high water and sugar content creates a favorable environment for rapid bacterial growth when stored improperly, especially when cut into pieces. Therefore, proper storage of watermelon and melon and purchasing them from official sales points is very important.

Earlier, it was reported that a 17-year-old teenager drowned in the Burijar canal passing through the Seoul Mun area. This was reported by Upl.uz. The incident occurred on August 22, 2023. It is known that the teenager jumped into the canal water to retrieve his cap that had fallen in, but was unable to get out. His friend tried to help, but barely managed to escape himself. According to the Prosecutor General's Office of the Republic of Uzbekistan, on August 24, the body of the 17-year-old teenager who drowned two days earlier in the Burijar canal was found. The deceased teenager worked as a waiter at an institution in the Seoul Mun complex. Currently, preliminary investigation actions are being carried out regarding this case. Necessary measures are being taken to determine the causes of the incident and to study all conditions.

The deputies of Tashkent city approved the proposal of Veolia Energy Tashkent company to increase tariffs for hot water and heating services. This was reported by Upl.uz. As a result of this change, tariffs are expected to increase by 15 percent for the population, 40 percent for legal entities, and 18.8 percent for budget organizations. The decision was approved on August 22 at the Tashkent city people's deputies council. The exact date when the new tariffs will come into effect is not yet clear, but the company proposes to raise tariffs starting from October 1, 2025. The tariffs will become effective 15 days after being signed by the mayor, Shavkat Umurzakov. The new tariffs are set as follows: the tariff for hot water and heating for the population will increase from 121,617 soums to 139,860 soums, which is a 15 percent rise. For legal entities, the tariff will increase from 244,497 soums to 342,296 soums, a 40 percent increase. For budget organizations, the tariff will increase from 801,963 soums to 952,797 soums, an 18.8 percent rise. Additionally, the base tariff will increase by 7 percent, from 664,465 soums to 711,641 soums. As emphasized by Sevara Pardayeva, the CEO of Veolia Energy Tashkent, currently the capital's residents pay only 18 percent of the actual tariff, with the remaining part covered by state subsidies. The government plans to gradually stop subsidizing communal services by 2030. The main goal is to direct assistance only to families truly in need. At the same time, as tariffs increase, the volume of subsidies allocated from the local budget is also growing. In 2024, 1.97 trillion soums are planned to be allocated for these purposes. In 2025, subsidy expenses are expected to reach 2.71 trillion soums, which is 37.6 percent more compared to the previous year. Thus, approximately 28 percent of Tashkent's budget will be spent on subsidizing heat supply. According to Sevara Pardayeva, gradually increasing tariffs is a necessary measure. If tariffs are not increased annually, it will be necessary to raise prices sharply and significantly in the future. Therefore, the current changes are aimed at ensuring long-term stability.

Since the beginning of 2025, migration flows of ethnic Kazakhs returning to their historical homeland have shown a stable trend. This was reported by Upl.uz. The majority of returnees come from neighboring countries. According to the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of Kazakhstan, nearly half of the 8,051 people who received the status of “kandas” from January to August came from Uzbekistan. This figure accounts for 44.2 percent of the total number of repatriates, clearly demonstrating the cultural and historical ties between the two Central Asian countries. Kazakhs from China made up 43.2 percent. The rest consist of 5 percent from Turkmenistan, 2.7 percent from Mongolia, and 2.4 percent from Russia. Since independence, that is, since 1991, more than 1.156 million ethnic Kazakhs have returned to Kazakhstan. Socio-demographic analysis shows that the majority of returnees are of working age. As of August 1, 59.1 percent of “kandas” are of working age, 31.8 percent are children and adolescents under 18, and 9.1 percent are elderly retirees. The education level of repatriates is also high: 15.7 percent have higher education, 28.1 percent have received secondary specialized education, 53.5 percent have general secondary education, and only 2.7 percent have no formal education. The government of Kazakhstan continues programs to ensure the social adaptation and integration of “kandas.” They are mainly planned to be directed to regions with labor shortages. Preferred regions include Akmola, Abai, Kostanay, Pavlodar, as well as Atyrau, West Kazakhstan, East Kazakhstan, and North Kazakhstan regions. The quota for 2025 is set at 2,309 people, and by early August, more than half of this figure, namely 1,286 people, have been repatriated. To facilitate the adaptation of returnees to society, the state provides a number of support measures. These measures include a one-time relocation subsidy and monthly payments to cover rent and utility expenses. Since the beginning of the year, 563 people have benefited from this assistance, of whom 221 have been provided with permanent employment. To encourage voluntary relocation, an economic mobility certificate was recently introduced. This financial instrument allows new families to cover half the cost of purchasing a home, with a maximum amount of 4.56 million tenge. This is an important aid for newcomers. The term “kandas” was officially introduced in Kazakhstan in 2020 to replace the word “oralman.” The Kazakh word “kandas” means “relative” or “blood-related person” and is a warmer and more humane expression than the previous term.

According to the press service of the Capital's Compulsory Enforcement Bureau, the debt on the loan has been recovered. This was reported by Upl.uz. The Interdistrict Civil Court of Uchtepa received an enforcement order regarding the debt from the Chilonzor district Compulsory Enforcement Bureau. The debtor took a loan of 31,101,883 soums from "TBC Bank" and failed to repay it on time. After the enforcement proceedings began, the debtor was given a 15-day period to voluntarily repay the debt. However, no payment was made during this time, so the enforcement actions continued. Employees of the Compulsory Enforcement Bureau identified the debtor's property, including one vehicle, through the special electronic program "MIB-portal," and imposed a restriction on it. Following these measures, the debtor fully repaid the debt to the bank, and the enforcement case was completely closed due to the debt being settled. This case demonstrates the effectiveness of legal measures in recovering loan debts.

According to the press service of the Department under the Prosecutor General's Office, the fraudsters have been arrested. This was reported by Upl.uz. Department employees in the Samarkand region and representatives of the State Security Service jointly conducted a special rapid operation. During the operation, the head of a private enterprise named “A.D.” was caught while receiving money. He was apprehended while taking an amount of 7 thousand US dollars. It was revealed that this person gained the trust of two citizens and promised to help them go to work in Slovakia. This amount included the processing of all documents necessary for labor migration. Additionally, another person was arrested by the Department and State Security Service employees in the Jizzakh region. He took 2 thousand US dollars from two citizens and promised to arrange visas for them to go to the United States of America. In both cases, criminal cases were initiated under the “Fraud” article of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Currently, investigative actions are being carried out to identify other victims of the criminals. Such cases demonstrate serious measures being taken to protect the rights and interests of citizens.