In a report released at a news conference in Dushanbe, Qarakhon Chillazoda, the head of the Accounts Chamber, revealed on February 2 that financial damage discovered by the Accounts Chamber last year cost Tajikistan 282.8 million somonis.

According to him, financial losses increased by 30.5 million somonis compared to 2020 (financial damage discovered by the Accounts Chamber in 2020 reportedly amounted to 252.3 million somonis).  

The Accounts Chamber reportedly conducted 247 inspections last year.

Chillazoda further noted that 274.5 million somonis had been reimbursed, including 108.4 million of budgetary funds and 136.6 million somonis of federally funded institutions. 

The most damage was reportedly caused by misappropriation of funds – 55.7 million somonis.  Damage from shortfalls and embezzlement of funds amounted to 8.9 million somonis and damage from overpricing during repair and construction work amounted to 23.4 million somonis.

Damage from the sale and lease of state-owned property reportedly amounted to 1.2 million somonis and loss of state funds amounted to 89.7 million somonis, Chillazoda noted.  

Disciplinary and administrative action was reportedly imposed upon officials and managers who were implicated in wrongdoing.

Tajikistan’s lower chamber (Majlisi Namoyandagon) of parliament passed the law on the establishment of the Accounts Chamber on June 1, 2011.  This government institution reportedly controls revenue and expenditure parts of the national budget, off-budget funds and investments coming in the country’s economy from abroad.  The Accounts Chamber was reportedly established to tighten control of finances as well as conduct audit and assess the national budget.  The Accounts Chamber is accountable to the President and the Parliament.  The Majlisi Namoyandagon elects chief auditors of the Chamber of Accounts upon the recommendation of the President; chief auditor may be elected to not more than two seven-year terms.