Photo: Press service of the President of Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has dismissed all staff of the country’s public reception offices, criticizing them for functioning as mere “dispatch centers” that pass citizens’ complaints from one agency to another. The president’s press secretary, Sherzod Asadov, reported that new officials would be appointed in their place—those who can actually address the population’s problems.
Backing his decision, Mirziyoyev cited data showing that 55 percent of appeals submitted through the president’s virtual office and the public reception system went unanswered last year. He warned that unresolved issues inevitably end up on social media. The most frequent complaints, he added, involve the police, courts, local administrations (hokimiyats), the education system, and environmental issues.
In many cases, citizens even requested a personal audience with the president.
“Have hokimiyats ever analyzed the rising number of complaints against officials—for example, in Tashkent or Bukhara?” Mirziyoyev asked rhetorically. “If ministers and hokims don’t solve problems, then who should the people turn to?”
As of today, the president declared, all public reception staff are dismissed. Their replacements will be “personnel capable of solving problems.” He also assigned management of these offices to regional and district administrators. From now on, he said, hokims should begin their workday by listening to citizens’ appeals—without postponing them.
Mirziyoyev also criticized the Control Inspectorate under the Presidential Administration, accusing it of passively handling citizen complaints—failing to study problems or hold those responsible to account. The inspectorate will be dissolved, with its functions transferred to the Accounts Chamber.
The Accounts Chamber will now be responsible not only for overseeing government spending, but also for analyzing officials’ decisions and evaluating whether they meet public expectations. The chamber’s chair will report monthly to the president, identifying inefficient systems and underperforming officials.
In addition, Mirziyoyev ordered the nationwide launch of the People’s Control electronic platform within three months. Successfully piloted in Tashkent, the service allows residents to submit complaints—complete with photos and precise locations—which local authorities must then address with photographic proof of resolution.
The platform will serve as a unified system for citizen requests, with participation from all ministries, agencies, and local governments, the president concluded.
