DUSHANBE, December 21, Asia-Plus -- Tajik MPs have endorsed a bill requiring social security of citizens that participated in cleanup operation at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. 

A regular sitting of the third session of the Majlisi Namoyandagon (Tajikistan’s lower chamber of parliament) of the third convocation, presided over by its chairman, Saydullo Khairulloyev, was held on December 20.

Mahbuba Nuriddinova, chairperson of the Majlisi Namoyandagon Committee for Woman’s Affairs, Family, Health and Environmental Protection, presenting the draft law noted that more than 4,500 Tajiks were sent to Chernobyl in 1986.  At present 2,248 of them live in the territory of Tajikistan.  “Of those 2,248 living in Tajikistan, 1,192 are invalids,” said Nuriddinova, “Besides, 1,289 children of these people, who also suffer from various diseases, are registered with medical facilities; however, it is only 12 percent of children of the participants of the Chernobyl cleanup operation.” 

“Adoption of this law will allow socially supporting this category of our citizens, creating favorable conditions for them and introducing certain privileges,” MP said.  

The session also adopted the country’s laws “On Physical Training and Sports”, “On Trademarks”, etc.