National budget parameters for 2021 discussed: Nearly $2 billion to be directed for healthcare

 For the first time, about 90 billion soums will be billed for oncohematology. In addition, 7 percent of the proceeds from the excise tax on tobacco products will be transferred to the Fund for the Promotion of the Recovery of Persons Suffering from Hematological Cancer and Intractable Diseases. Besides, 130 billion soums are to be cashed in to bring the coverage of medical services to patients in need of hemodialysis to 100 percent.

 Special attention was paid to issues of reducing poverty, supporting entrepreneurship and ensuring employment of the population.

 In order to reduce poverty, the number of low-income families receiving social benefits will be doubled compared to figures of early 2020. The President pointed out that from January 1 of next year, the system for the distribution of social benefits should be fully automated by launching a single social register in all regions.

 More than 3 trillion soums of subsidies are planned to be allotted within the framework of entrepreneurship support programs. In addition, 250 billion soums are to be directed to the Employment Promotion Fund and the same amount to the Public Works Fund.

 Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted that the number of low-income citizens should be reduced by creating new jobs and inviting the population to entrepreneurship.

 In the coming year, 30 billion soums will be allocated from the budget to provide housing for orphans. The officials were instructed to develop a new procedure for the provision of such housing and draw up lists of recipients.

 The need to expand the powers of local councils in shaping the local budget was indicated. The regions must learn, it was noted at the meeting, to seek out and employ additional reserves, and thus address social issues.

 The President stressed that budget expenditures should be transparent and that ministries and departments as well as regional administrations should spend every soum wisely.

 Another important issue is the consolidation of financial discipline and oversight. The Ministry of Finance was instructed to strengthen the system of internal audit in organizations, and prevent illegal expenses and shortages.

 From now on, the procedure for publishing the structure and performance of expenditures on the official websites of state bodies will be introduced, and managers who do not comply with this requirement will be fined. Control over this order will be carried out by both houses of Oliy Majlis and local councils.

 Deputy Prime Ministers have been tasked with formulating investment programs implemented through centralized, foreign and private investments.

 Executives reported on risks in meeting the budget parameters by the end of this year and for the next year, as well as on the efforts undertaken to eliminate those risks.