DUSAHNBE, September 26, Asia-Plus - Tojikgaz (Tajik state gas concern) has determined more liberal natural gas rationing conditions for the holy Muslim month of Ramadan, which began on September 24.   

A source in the Tojikgaz said that during Ramadan gas will be supplied to the population in Dushanbe from 3:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  After Ramadan, natural gas is unlikely to be available  during the day.  The situation reportedly will change only if Tajik gas concern pay promptly for the gas it receives from Uzbekistan. 

According to the source, at present Uzbekistan supplies natural gas to Tajikistan at the rate of 2,5000 cubic meter per hour against the previous 30,000-35,000 cubic meters. 

The main reason for this decline is Tajikistan debt to Uztransgas (Uzbek gas supply company), which has to date amounted to US$4 million.  The public debt to Tojikgaz for natural gas has to date amounted to 130 million somonis, according to the source.