DUSHANBE, November 30, 2011, Asia-Plus  -- A government session that took place on November 29 endorsed the plan of work for the first half-year of 2012.

According to the presidential press service, chairpersons of the Bobojonghfurov and Shahrinav districts reported on the state of irrigated lands and the process of implementation of the Shahrinav socioeconomic development support program.

The session also approved the national programs on protection of historical and cultural heritage for 2012-2020, investments, grants and capital construction for 2012-2014, statistics for 2012-2013 and geology development for 2012-2020.

The national program on investments, grants and capital construction for the period of 2012-2014 reportedly provides for implementation of more than 100 projects for a total amount of more than 15 billion U.S. dollars.

The program, in particular, stipulates rehabilitation of the Khujand-Isfara, Ayni-Panjakent, Kulob-Khovaling and Danghara-Temourmalik-Baljuvon-Khovaling roads and construction of many educational and health facilities.

The meeting also considered and endorsed bills requiring amendments to the laws on militsia (police), pensions, standardization, licensing procedure, as well as to the country’s customs and tax codes.  The draft laws were sent for consideration to the Majlisi Namoyandagon (Tajikistan’s lower chamber of parliament).

Amendments proposed to the customs and tax codes provide for exemption of equipment and technologies for manufacturing capacities acquired on a leasing basis from customs duties and value added tax (VAT), the source said.