Several “watermen” “drank” residents' water bills

The supervisor of the Syrdarya regional branch of JSC "Uzsuvta'minot" has been accused of embezzling 52 million 427 thousand 706 soums, which had been paid by 36 residents of Gulistan city for drinking water. The embezzled funds were not transferred to the accounts of the joint-stock company or the citizens, but rather used for the supervisor's interests, according to the information service of the organization, which informed QALAMPIR.UZ.

"The case has been referred to the Syrdarya region prosecutor's office, and a criminal case has been initiated under Article 168, Part 2, Clause "a" of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Investigations are currently underway," the report of press service states.

Additionally, officials from five district branches of "Khorazm Water Supply" JSC have also been implicated in a similar crime, embezzling a total of 380 million soums from consumers' payments for drinking water. The stolen funds were not transferred to the appropriate bank accounts, and a criminal case under Article 167 of the Criminal Code has been launched. Investigations into this matter are ongoing.

To promote transparency in the industry and eliminate such corrupt practices, it was announced that, starting December 1 of this year, payments for drinking and wastewater services will only be accepted electronically at the national level. The practice of accepting cash payments will be discontinued for supervisors and water supply employees.

It is worth noting that not long ago, the head of the anti-corruption and compliance control department in the Fergana region was also caught accepting a bribe.