DUSHANBE, 22.09.2020. (NIAT Khovar) – The Founder of Peace and National Unity, Leader of the Nation, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon arrived in Shahritus district as part of his working trip to Khatlon Province. The purpose of his working visit is to become familiar with the progress of its socio-economic development.

During his trip, he held a number of meetings with the public representatives and took part in opening ceremonies of a number of social facilities.

While visiting Kandov and Homid farms that have 13 hectares of land, involved in seeding cotton, corn, rice as well as onions, wheat and cucumbers, President Emomali Rahmon toured the Exhibition of Agricultural Products which showcased local products and achievements in the agriculture sector.

This year Shahritus farmers have sown crops, in particular wheat in an area of 1,411 hectares, barley — 140 hectares, 190 hectares of corn and other high-carb foods at 27 hectares and 8,932 tons of grain products have been harvested so far.

The area of orchards and vineyards has reached 1.259 hectares. This year 510 hectares of land have been used for growing melons in the district, while 23.830 tons of products have been harvested.

President attended the opening ceremony for the sport ground which was financed and built by local businessmen, which in turn was followed by an unveiling ceremony of the Emblem and National Flag Square with a 53-meter flagpole in administrative centre of Shahritus district.

During the opening ceremony of a two storey service centre which has a restaurant, dining room and hotel that was financed and built by local businessmen within the framework of the Period of rural development, tourism and folk crafts, President Emomali Rahmon handed gifts to 78 orphans that are under the care of the Government of Tajikistan.

The opening ceremony of the three – story building of the District Education Office and 3.17 hectare of the Tus Cultural and Recreation Park following reconstruction were also attended by President Emomali Rahmon.

President Emomali Rahmon inspected project designs of the educational institutions in the territory of Khatlon Province that are to be implemented within the framework of the National Education Development Strategy of the Republic of Tajikistan worth US 46 million dollars at the expense of the state capital as well. The project includes 73 educational facilities, in particular 68 secondary educational institutions that accommodate for 34.880 students in two shifts and 5 buildings of the districts education offices.

Concluding his working trip President Emomali Rahmon held a meeting with leaders and representatives of public on socio-economic development of the Shahritus district. The meeting took place in the Tus Cultural and Recreation Park.

The discussion also focused on upcoming celebration of the 30th anniversary of the state independence of the Republic of Tajikistan.

In his address the head of state Emomali Rahmon noted that the Government of Tajikistan has allocated more than TJK 515 million from the national budget in order to further improve the quality of life of Shahritus residents since independence.

“To date, the government has implemented 5 public investment projects worth TJK 22 million in Shahritus district, within the framework of which construction, repair and equipping of educational institutions, improving the quality of health services, agricultural and water resources management development were carried out. Currently, 7 more projects worth more than TJK 14 million were channeled for these purposes” – noted head of state Emomali Rahmon.

He also pointed out that the infrastructure and landscaping activities are steadily continuing in the districts to ensure decent celebration of the 30th anniversary of Tajikistan’s state independence. In accordance with the approved action plan, there are plans to construct 365 jubilee facilities in the district, of which 270 facilities have been commissioned, i.e. 74 percent of the plan has been achieved to date.

“The total amount of the local budget plan has been fulfilled by 94.5%, the budget has received TJK 18 million somoni in the first seven months of 2020” – added President Emomali Rahmon.

Currently, the number of operating enterprises has increased by 4 units since the beginning of the year and amounted to 23 units while volume of industrial production increased and reached TJK 22 million or 40 percent compared to the same period of last year.

As of August 1, 2020, farmers of the district have sown crops on the area of 14.7 thousand hectares, which is 3.8% or 543 hectares more than the same period last year.

According to statistics, as of August 1, 2020, the district’s farmers have sowed crops on an area of 14, 500 hectares, which is 3.8% or 543 hectares more than the same period last year, while the volume of agricultural production amounted to TJK 430.6 million, which is TJK 11.1 million more.

Following concluding his working trip to Shahritus district, President Emomali Rahmon arrived in Levakant, where he put into operation the Sarband Hydro Power Plant’s hydro units No: 2 and No: 6 with a capacity of 39 MW and 49 MW, respectively after modernization.

The Sarband HPP’s hydro unit No: 4 with a capacity of 45 MW was completely modernized in 2012.

The construction of the Sarband HPP started in 1956, and the first hydro unit was commissioned in 1962. Its installed generation capacity is 240 megawatts (MW), which makes it the fifth largest hydropower plant in the country.

The Government of the Republic of Tajikistan signed a grant agreement with the Asian Development Bank in 2011 for modernization of the Sarband HPP in the amount of $136 million.

Under grant agreement, the project consists of two phases. The first phase of the project provides for the modernization of first, second and fifth hydroelectric units, major repairs of third and sixth hydroelectric units, as well as reconstruction and modernization of spillway locks.

Also, repair of lifting mechanisms, compressed air systems, HPP fire extinguishing systems, replacement of power autotransformers No. 2 and 3, construction of a new building of the power plant control center, replacement of equipment in electromechanical workshops, bank protection works on the river and connecting channel are provided.

The implementation of the second phase of the project involves the modernization of 220, 110, 35 and 6 kW open distribution devices.

In addition, President Emomali Rahmon attended the unveiling ceremony of the National Flag Square in Levakant Cultural and Recreation Park with a 41 meter flagpole.

Visiting Bokhtar, President Emomali Rahmon attended the opening ceremony of the three-storey Ehson Restaurant and surprised 50 orphans and children from vulnerable families with presents and cash assistance and held a meeting with the children.

There he also attended the opening ceremony of the administrative building of the Executive Committee of the People’s Democratic Party of Tajikistan, the three-storey non-state Medical College in Jumaboy Jalilov Street that accommodates for 600 students and a new 12-storey residential building.

While opened the 70th Anniversary of the Vakhsh Valley Square, President Emomali Rahmon attended the unveiling ceremony of the National Flag square with a 30 meter-high flagpole.