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Residents of Tashkent have started receiving messages informing them that due to outstanding garbage collection bills, their ability to top up their electricity accounts has been restricted. This decision, which came into effect on June 1, 2024, in Tashkent, Nukus, and other regional centers, is gradually being expanded across the country.
How Does the New System Work?
The essence of the new regulation is that if citizens have a six-month debt for garbage collection, they will not be able to top up their electricity account until the debt is paid off. However, it is important to note that electricity itself will not be cut off immediately — it will remain available as long as there is a balance in the account. The ability to top up the account for continued use of electricity will only be restored after the garbage debt is settled.
During the first phase, starting from June 1, 2024, this rule applied only in large cities such as Tashkent and Nukus, as well as in regional centers.
In the second phase, which starts on November 1, 2024, this system will be extended nationwide, and the garbage debt limit will be reduced to three months.
In the third phase, beginning on January 1, 2025, the debt limit for restricting electricity payments will be shortened to one month.
Why Is This a Good Solution?
- Increased Responsibility for Utility Payments
This mechanism encourages citizens to pay all utility bills, including garbage collection, on time. People often forget about accumulated garbage debts or postpone payments, leading to arrears. The new system serves as a clear reminder and provides an additional incentive to settle all utility bills promptly.
- Cleanliness and Order in Cities
Garbage collection is a crucial aspect of maintaining cleanliness in cities and towns. With the new system in place, companies will be able to collect payments for these services more efficiently, which in turn will improve the environmental and sanitary conditions of urban areas.
- Avoiding Debt Traps
The introduction of a mechanism with gradually shortened debt deadlines helps prevent debt traps where arrears accumulate over the years, making it harder to repay them. By gradually reducing the debt period to one month, the system ensures that debts do not accumulate and are paid off on time, promoting better financial discipline.
- Increased Transparency in Utility Services
The new system encourages people to realize the importance of paying all utility bills on time. It creates a clear link between actions and consequences, such as service restrictions, fostering a more responsible approach to paying for services and enhancing overall accountability.
- Supporting the Financial Stability of Utility Services
Regular and timely payments allow utility services to plan their budgets more effectively, improve infrastructure, and provide high-quality services to the population. This is an important step toward improving the standard of living and boosting public trust in utility providers.
The article may contain inaccuracies as it is translated by AI. For more details, please refer to the Russian version of the article. If you notice any inaccuracies, you can send corrections via the Telegram bot: Uzvaibik_bot.