Uzbekistan’s gas supply system has revealed illegal use of natural gas worth 1.442 trillion soums (approximately $118 million) during 2025 and the first half of 2026, according to First Deputy Minister of Energy Umid Mamadaminov.
A total of 10,484 cases involving 546 million cubic meters of illegally used gas were recorded. During this period, 31,134 unscheduled inspections and monitoring activities were carried out at gas supply enterprises, with 17,824 conducted in 2025 and 13,310 in the first half of 2026.
Compliance units identified and eliminated 441 corruption offenses committed by gas supply employees, including 174 related to natural gas and 268 to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
Based on the violations and non-compliance with internal regulations, 824 internal investigations were conducted. Materials from 61 inspections were sent to law enforcement for legal assessment. Disciplinary action was taken against 253 employees: 127 were dismissed, 212 received reprimands, and 41 were fined.
Additionally, 47 cases of theft of inventory and fuel worth 7.07 billion soums were uncovered, with materials forwarded to law enforcement.
In the LPG sector, unscheduled inspections revealed 1,076 violations, leading to the closure of 406 illegal LPG sales points. This prevented the illegal sale of 15,761 household gas cylinders worth 7.99 billion soums and over 180 tons of LPG valued at 1.2 billion soums.
Mamadaminov also reported that since January 2025, 67 employees of Hududgazta’minot’s subsidiary organizations have been detained by law enforcement for corruption, totaling 59 separate incidents.
Key corruption risks identified include bribery for gas connections, extortion for not documenting violations or understating damages, and soliciting bribes to reduce or write off debts. These issues are attributed to incomplete digitalization, remaining “corruption loopholes,” and insufficient consumer awareness of gasification procedures.
To mitigate risks, the HGT Online software is being introduced to digitize the issuance of technical conditions. In Tashkent, a pilot project uses artificial intelligence integrated with government service center databases to process applications, determine connection points, and issue documents without human intervention.
The process of opening personal accounts has also been digitalized: citizens can now apply online via the Hududgazta’minot website. The E-ma’muriy software has been introduced for documenting inspections, and 2,478 neighborhood gas workers and 451 wholesale consumer specialists have been equipped with tablets. The company also plans to purchase body cameras for employees who interact directly with consumers.
According to Mamadaminov, 104,215 households in Uzbekistan still have old gas meters that do not transmit data online, including 102,431 in apartment buildings and 1,784 in private homes. Photo and video reporting has been introduced to monitor the replacement of these meters.
In the LPG sector, a Face ID system was launched in all regions in March. A total of 984 fitters-deliverers received tablets, and the distribution of household gas cylinders is now carried out using facial recognition technology.
Source: www.gazeta.uz