Akmalhon Ortikov.
Speaking about the problems of corruption in the state apparatus, the president noted that during inspections of state organizations such as "Uzbekneftegaz" and the State Asset Management Agency (AUGA), thefts amounting to billions of sums were uncovered. In particular, one case involved agency officials selling a land plot worth 250 billion sums ($20.6 million) for 120 billion sums ($9.9 million) at a closed auction.
As a result of such violations, the head of AUGA, Akmalhon Ortikov, was dismissed.
“If corruption has reigned in these institutions for many years, then where were the responsible for security?” — the president asked.
Shavkat Mirziyoyev instructed the chairman of the State Security Service, Bahodir Kurbanov, to analyze the work of employees who oversaw the activities of "Uzbekneftegaz" and AUGA.
The president also pointed out significant problems in the field of taxation. He reported that cases of embezzlement of budget funds through manipulation of value-added tax (VAT) had become more frequent. Last year, 20 criminal cases were initiated against inspectors for illegal VAT refunds.
At the meeting, it was announced that the first deputy chairman of the Tax Committee, Mubina Mirzaeva, who was responsible for this area, was dismissed.
The situation in Tashkent was characterized as particularly alarming. The shadow economy in the capital reached 60 trillion sums ($4.9 billion), leading to annual budget losses of 7.5 trillion sums ($619 million).
Some taxpayers hide production and sales volumes, which reduces fiscal revenues. In Tashkent, about 30,000 VAT payers have not paid a single sum, and 25% of cash registers in trade and services are not in use.
Some tax inspectors provide support to entrepreneurs in evading taxes. The president reported that last week, the head of the tax inspection of the Mirzo-Ulugbek district, Dilshod Usmanov, was dismissed, and a criminal case was initiated against him for embezzling 315 million sums ($26,000) and participating in a criminal group.
Moreover, in Tashkent, it has still not been possible to establish a system for tax payments in the "Chorsu" and "Malika" markets. Of the 1,500 registered entrepreneurs, only a quarter pay taxes, many evade fiscal contributions and hide their incomes. Tax authorities compensate for their shortfalls at the expense of honest entrepreneurs, having overcollected 876 billion sums ($72.3 million) from more than 46,000 organizations.
Given these problems, the president ordered the dismissal of the head of the State Tax Administration of Tashkent, Yunusjon Nasimjanov, and the head of the tax inspection of the Shaykhantahur district, Khojiakbar Mullajanov, and to analyze their activities to ensure the rule of law.
It was also ordered to relieve the deputy head of the city department of the General Prosecutor's Office, Ganiyev, of his duties for assisting entrepreneurs in tax evasion. Additionally, the chairman of the Tax Committee of Uzbekistan, Farrukh Pulatov, was instructed to dismiss all heads of district inspections in Tashkent, transferring them to temporary positions.
