Over the past two and a half years, 243 corruption crimes involving 301 employees have been committed in Uzbekistan's water management system, causing over 70 billion soums (approximately $5.7 million) in damages to the state and society.

On June 26, an off-site meeting of the National Anti-Corruption Council was held at the Ministry of Water Management, chaired by Tanzila Narbayeva, head of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis and chair of the council.

The meeting critically discussed issues of corruption prevention, efficient use of state funds, digitalization of the sector, elimination of conflicts of interest, and ensuring openness and transparency.

It was noted that during 2024–2025 and the current period of 2026, 301 employees committed 243 corruption crimes, causing material damage exceeding 70 billion soums.

Particular attention was paid to embezzlement of budget funds, illegal use of subsidies for water-saving technologies, violations in the management of water fund lands, slow digitalization, and conflicts of interest.

Specifically, criticism was leveled at the fact that most of the “Aqlli Suv” (Smart Water) devices introduced in the sector are still not working effectively.

The meeting emphasized that the fight against corruption should focus not on detecting individual violations, but on eliminating the root causes and conditions that give rise to them.

Following the meeting, the Ministry of Water Management and the Anti-Corruption Agency were instructed to develop a “roadmap” within 10 days to eliminate corruption risks in the sector and submit it to the National Anti-Corruption Council for consideration.

Source: kun.uz