DUSHANBE, January 31, 2011, Asia-Plus  -- President Emomali Rahmon offers to toughen punishment for illegal land acquisition and illegal allotment of land.

An appropriate bill requiring amendments regarding illegal land acquisition and illegal allotment of land to the country’s Penal Code has been submitted for consideration to parliament, the presidential press service reports.

The amendments are aimed at ensuring protection of land parcels, rational use of irrigated lands and prevention of illegal land allotment.

The amendment to Article 338 of Tajikistan’s Penal Code provides for toughening punishment for illegal acquisition of land and construction in illegally acquired areas.

Besides, the president offers to add a new article regarding illegal allotment of land to the Penal Code.  Article 338 (1) stipulates that illegal allotment of land is punishable by a penalty fee equivalent to 1,460 accounting indices and up to eight years in jail, according to the presidential press service.

Current accounting index amounts 35.00 somoni.