Uzbekistan to strengthen control over gas and coal supplies to the population: monthly results — 374 cases of illegal liquefied gas trafficking

Meeting at the Ministry of Internal Affairs and new directives

In Uzbekistan, control will be strengthened to ensure that gas and coal allocated to the population for the autumn-winter period are delivered on time and in full, and that theft is not allowed during transportation and distribution. The relevant directives were given at a meeting attended by Minister of Internal Affairs Aziz Tashpulatov, heads of specialized and territorial units of the MIA, representatives of JSC Hududgaztaminot and its regional branches, as well as the company LPG-Trade, the MIA press service reported.

What was discussed and what changes for consumers

At the meeting, compliance with schedules for the delivery of liquefied gas in household cylinders, accounting for allocated resources, and transparency of their distribution were discussed separately. Those responsible were pointed to the need to stop cases of unjustified charging of fees from consumers and the supply of fuel in volumes below established norms — that is, we are talking about situations where a family pays for a cylinder but receives less than the due amount or faces additional charges. Following the meeting, MIA units and supplier organizations were instructed to study supply problems in the regions, monitor the safety of energy resources during rail transportation and delivery to their destination, ensure transport safety, and strengthen the protection of gas filling stations, warehouses, and distribution bases.

Results of inspections over the month

Over the past month, 16 cases of illegal storage and sale of coal were identified: 333 tons 540 kg of coal were seized from circulation and directed to the needs of the population. Regarding liquefied gas, 374 cases of illegal storage and sale were detected — 9,139 household cylinders and 92 tons 936 kg of gas were seized; according to the MIA, measures are being taken to return the fuel to consumption by the population. These figures show the scale of the problem that prompted the tightened control: the seized volumes were intended for the population but did not reach it through legal channels.

Criminal case in Samarkand region

A separate case was identified in October in Samarkand region. According to the MIA, employees of the enterprise Pastdargomtumangaz stole household cylinders with hydrocarbon gas intended for the population by prior conspiracy, using special vehicles. 3 tons 100 kg of gas worth 32 million soums were seized. The investigative department of the regional police department opened a criminal case under paragraph 'v' of part 2 of Article 167 of the Criminal Code — theft by embezzlement or misappropriation; other circumstances are being established.

Context: new price and ban on filling cylinders at LPG stations

The tightening of control comes against the backdrop of other recent changes in regulation: as Daryo.uz previously reported, from November 15, the price of liquefied gas for the population was set at 5 thousand soums, and fines have been introduced for filling household gas cylinders at automobile gas filling stations. Thus, for residents, the practical significance of the meeting lies in its combination with the fixed price and delivery schedules: not only the volume of supplies will be monitored, but also that consumers do not pay above the norm and receive fuel on schedule.