Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Dec. 19 / Trend D.Azizov /
Uzbek Cabinet of Ministers adopted a decree on 'Measures for further improvement of the order of appointment and payment of social benefits', whereby the amount of benefits to families in need with two young children was reduced from 100 to 80 per cent of the minimum wage (MOH) and for families with three or more children the amount was reduced from 140 to 120 per cent.
The level of benefits for families with one child is unchanged at 50 per cent of the MOH.
If earlier the allowance increased corresponding to a change in the minimum wage, from now on the benefits are to be calculated based on the minimum wage set at the beginning of the year.
The current minimum wage in Uzbekistan is 79.590 soums. According to the document, the maximum age of children being taken into account when assigning benefits to families with minors is reduced to 14 years.
Earlier allowances were granted to families for new-born, adopted or those children taken into custody under the age of 16 years (or 18 years provided they are attending secondary schools, academic lyceums and professional colleges).
Starting from January 1 a single criteria of the definition of family need for all types of benefits and financial aid is to be introduced. Along with that a calculation of aggregate income in the appointment of social benefits and financial assistance to needy families will be simplified and the manner of the appointment unified.
The decree lists a criterion for assignment of financial aid and standardized procedure for the allocation of social benefits.
In addition, it is planned to strengthen the responsibility of commissions authorized to organize citizen gatherings to address the issues on assignment and payment of social benefits and financial aid to needy families, and workers of the employment promotion and social protection agencies to ensure the targeted and purposeful use of allocated budget funds.
In collaboration with local administrations, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection is instructed to prioritize the employment of young families from the countryside as a part of regional programs for employment and job creation.
The Institute for Social Research engages to systematically conduct research of households and annually present analytical reports to the Cabinet of Ministers till October 1 on the structure of household income, changes in the number of low-income families in each region of the republic, and their provision with social benefits, as well as proposals for the redistribution of budget allocations for social support and material assistance to the regions.
The Main Control and Revision Department of the Finance Ministry will strengthen control over the purposeful and targeted allocation of the budget funds for social support of population by conducting quarterly inspections of the commissions under the bodies of self-government.
The official exchange rate on December 19 is 1980.25 sum / $ 1