KHUJAND, March 30, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- Sughd farming units now owe more than 59 million somoni to the Sughd regional water economy directorate.

“Over the first two months of this year, they have repaid only 1.5 million somoni,” the source at the water economy directorate said, noting that delays in repaying debts have impeded the directorate’s work.

According to him, they have planned to repair 544 pumps supplying water to agricultural fields but because of shortage of finance they have managed to repair only 342 pumps by March 10.  “In each of the districts, only one or two pumps are ready for operation while the remaining pumps will be repaired when money from farms comes,” he said.

“We do not demand repayment of the whole debt at once.  Let them repay at least 20 percent of the debt in order that we would be able to prepare equipment for irrigation,” the source said.