DUSHANBE, April 17, Asia-Plus - Cutoff of natural-gas supplies has become one of measures to struggle against the most incorrigible nonpayers, Mansour Sharipov, an engineer-in-chief with Dushanbegaz, the capital natural-gas distributor, said. 

According to him, they have suspended gas supplies to some areas of Dushanbe in order to take measures against the most incorrigible nonpayers.   

“The lo rate of the collection funds from the public evokes concern and we have been forced to suspend the gas supplies in order to install plugs on gas pipes in some microrayons and residential buildings that have large gas debts,” said Sharipov, “Of course, this measure causes dissatisfaction of residents who regularly pay for gas consumption, but is the forced and temporary measure.  Gradually, we will install plugs only on the branch pipes of nonpayers and others will receive gas supplies regularly.” 

Sharipov added that the public now owes 20 million somonis to Dushanbegaz.