QURGHON TEPPA, August 29, Asia-Plus -- Low collection of funds from the public and enterprises in the Qurghon Teppa region of Khatlon for electricity evokes serious concern, Rajabali Boyakov, the head of the electric systems department for the Qurghon Teppa region of the province, said in his interview with Asia-plus.

According to him, a total debt of public and enterprises in the Qurghon Teppa of Khatlon has amounted to 10.761 million Somonis.  “The cotton farms have accounted to more than 70 percent of this amount,” Mr. Boyakov said, noting that cotton-growing are not able “to repay the debt because of pressure of the futures companies.”    

Mr. Boyakov noted that three futures companies – “Ismoili Somoni – 21 ^st Century”, “Tamer Inc” and “Hima” – are currently operating in the region.  “We have repeatedly applied to them on this subject but the problem remains unsolved,” said Mr. Boyakov, “We hope we will be able to make them repay at least part of the debt during the cotton campaign.” 

The Khatlon energy official has also noted that materials of a number of facilities of the region’s waterworks, which owe totaling some 3 million Somonis to the regional electric systems department, already moved to the regional economic court.   “Although the court has ruled that the mentioned facilities should repay the debt, the problems has not yet been resolved,” Rajabali Boyakov said.  

“We have also applied to local authorities with solicitation to assist in resolving the debt repayment problem,” said the Asia-Plus interlocutor, “However, the issue has remained unsolved.” 

According to him, they have installed more than 33,000 electricity meters in the region so far this year.  “The rest 17,000 electricity meters will have been installed by the end of the year,” Boyakov said.   

Asked about the implementation of the province governor’s resolution on stopping supply of electric power to unauthorized private shops on production of the cotton oil, Mr. Boyakov has said that his department is not able to tackle this problem alone. 

“This problem should be tackled with aid of other organizations such as inspectorate for electricity supply supervision, local authorities, etc,” said Boyakov, “Last year, we in cooperation with Bokhtar authorities, local prosecutor’s office and other organizations made raids and a number of illegal shops producing the cotton oil were liquidated.”  However, the illegal shops continue operating in the region, according to him.