Governors of Namangan and Fergana allocate 239 million worth of budget funds for an artist’s anniversary

The governor of Namangan region, by his decision dated February 15, 2023, allocated 150 million soums from the reserve funds of the regional budget to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the People’s Artist of Uzbekistan Abdukhoshim Ismoilov. Blogger Zafarbek Solijonov drew attention to the order of Shavkat Abdurazzokov.

According to the document, taking into account the letter of the Regional Culture Department, it is planned to organize a festive table in the “Navbahor” restaurant in Namangan city in connection with the concert program dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the artist. 150 million soums have been allocated for the costs of the event from the reserve fund of the regional budget.

For information, Abdukhoshim Ismoilov, musician and composer, who received the title of People’s Artist of Uzbekistan in 1990, was born on June 9, 1952 in Kuva district, Fergana region.

In June, the artist will be 71 years old. Why was it necessary for the governor of Namangan region to allocate funds from the local budget for the “70th anniversary” of the artist, who has turned 70 for almost 1 year?

Moreover, this “generosity” of Shavkat Abdurazzakov is the third case related to allocating money from people’s pockets to celebrate Ismoilov’s birthday.

Abdukhoshim Ismoilov’s 70th birthday was celebrated for the first time in June 2022 in Tashkent.

By the relevant decision of the Cabinet of Ministers on April 29, 2022, the program for wide celebration of jubilee dates of famous scientists, representatives of culture and art and wide promotion of their activities was approved. According to it, the 70th anniversary of Abdukhoshim Ismoilov was celebrated in June 2022 and the event was financed from the budget allocated for annual cultural events of the Culture Ministry.

On January 17, 2023, 89 million soums were allocated from the reserve fund of the local budget of the region for the expenses of the concert program to be held on the occasion of the musician’s 70th birthday, based on the order of the governor of Fergana region Khayrullo Bozorov.

In this order of Bozorov, the presidential decree of May 26, 2020 was disguised. Allegedly, 89 million soums were allocated for the jubilee of the national artist to ensure the execution of the presidential decree.

This presidential decree is aimed at further increasing the place of culture and art in the society, but not at celebrating the jubilee of artists at the expense of the people’s fund.

Previously, the governors did not spend the public money on the anniversaries of artists. Such a situation is now being observed.

We were also interested in the price of the artist’s “quick visit” to weddings, whose anniversary is repeatedly held free of charge. It is known that Abdukhoshim Ismoilov receives $600 for a 15-minute program at weddings in the capital, and $2,600 in Fergana region.

The fact that the governors are “scattering” budget funds in such a way can cause anger and protests of the population. Because at a time when 150 million soums are allocated for one jubilee, one can find unheated schools, kindergartens, streets without water supply, and hospitals with cracked walls in any region.