The President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon, has issued a decree to establish the Agency for State Energy Oversight under the President of the Republic.

The document provides for the establishment of the Agency with a maximum staff of 157 people (excluding support personnel). Specifically, the central office will employ 46 individuals.

"Financing for 146 positions, including 46 central office positions and 100 management scheme units, will be provided from the republican budget," the decree states.

It should be noted that on March 27 of this year, during a government meeting, the president expressed concern about the inefficient use of electricity. He instructed the authorities to establish criminal liability for the illegal use of electricity and failure to pay for it.

Just a week later, on April 2, the lower house of the parliament passed amendments to the Criminal Code aimed at increasing accountability for the illegal use of electricity. According to the new law, illegal electricity usage can result in imprisonment for a term ranging from 3 to 10 years. The amendments were signed by the president on April 15 of this year.