DUSHANBE, December 18, Asia-Plus - Parliamentarians have organized a real examination for members of a new country’s new cabinet at the fifth joint session of the Majlisi Milli (upper chamber of Tajik parliament) and the Majlisi Namoyandagon (lower chamber) that was held on December 16.  

Asked about plans of the government on enhancement of the agrarian sector, Prime Minister Oqil Oqilov noted that it is necessary, first of all, to resolve cotton farm debt and prevent local authorities from interfering in economic activity of farmers.  

Answering to question of the Majlisi Namoyandagon deputy Shodi Shabdolov about problems facing Tajik mining industry, Oqilov said that all mineral deposits had been included onto the government reserve.   “At present these enterprises are unprofitable because they are engaged in putting out raw materials and half-finished products and we should launch enterprise manufacturing finished goods,” Oqilov said.  

He also agreed with the Majlisi Namoyandagon deputy Yusufjon Akhmedov that in connection with upcoming introduction of “electronic government”, officials of all levels should be able to freely operate computer.  

Asked about a progress of the construction of the Roghun hydropower plant, the prime minister said that the head of state had charged to construct the plant in accordance with the initial project, providing for the following parameters: a 335-meter high fill dam; reservoir with water volume of 13.3 billion cubic meters; capacity of 3.6 megawatt and generation of 13 billion of kWh of electricity per year.  “If we make changes to the parameters we will not be able to efficiently export electrical power,” Oqilov said.  

Asked about prospects of development of relations with Uzbekistan, Foreign Minister Hamrokhon Zaripov stressed that Tajikistan is ready to expand cooperation with Uzbekistan in all fields.   

Finance Minister Safarali Najmuddinov and Interior Minister Mahmadnazar Solehov also answered to questions of parliamentarians.