Surkhandarya governor's bonus order canceled following public backlash

The controversial order issued by Surkhandarya regional governor Ulugbek Kasimov to reward deputies and district governors with 661 million sums has been officially revoked following public objections. This was confirmed by a statement from the governor's office.  

The order, numbered 12-8-0-F/25 and dated January 20, 2025, initially allocated substantial bonuses to regional deputies and city and district governors. However, after a review, the decision was rescinded.  

The statement clarified that the funds previously earmarked for the bonuses would now be redirected to the “From Poverty to Prosperity” program, aimed at improving living conditions for the region's residents.  

This development follows a similar incident involving Bakhtiyor Rahmonkulov, the mayor of the Yashnabad district in Tashkent. Rahmonkulov awarded himself 61.875 million sums from the local budget, declaring his sector the winner of the “Most Initiative Sector” nomination.  

The cancellation of Kasimov’s order demonstrates the growing influence of public opinion in addressing controversial decisions. The redirection of funds to social programs has been seen as a positive step towards addressing economic challenges in the region.