DUSHANBE, May 22, Asia-Plus -- On Saturday May 20, Deputy Dushanbe Mayor, Jamshed Mansourov, gave a news conference on preparations for the 2006-2007 autumn-winter period.   

Speaking to journalists, Mr. Mansourov pointed to the significance of timely preparation of communal services for adequate functioning in the winter period.  The Dushanbe official also noted that measures would be taken to ensure the timely payment of the use of natural gas and electricity.  The use of electricity and gas will be properly monitored, Mr. Mansourov stressed.  

According to the deputy mayor, the public debt for the use of natural gas has amounted to 80.3 million Somonis and for the public debt for the use of electricity has amounted to 16 million Somonis.  

Director of “Dushnabegaz” (Dushanbe gas company), Mansour Sharipov, speaking to journalists noted that the installation of gas meters would be finished in the city by end of this year.   

The news conference also raised the problem of decrepit overhead power-transmission lines in the city and replacement of them with underground cables, as well as problems of supplying hot water and functioning of heating systems in Dushanbe. 

NOTES: Jamshed Mansourov was born in Dushanbe on 1955.  HE graduated from Tajik Technical University.  Deputy Dushanbe Mayor, Jamshed Mansourov, had previously been deputy head of the “Barqi Tojik” (Tajik electric system) open joint-stock holding company.