Osh Gets Autumn Clean-Up

The mayor’s office in the southern city of Osh has instructed residents to clean the streets outside their homes, otherwise their water and electricity could be switched off.

Osh Gets Autumn Clean-Up

The mayor’s office in the southern city of Osh has instructed residents to clean the streets outside their homes, otherwise their water and electricity could be switched off.

Friday, 30 October, 2009
IWPR

IWPR

Institute for War & Peace Reporting

As reporter Janar Akaev discovered, the instruction applies for one month and extends equally to businesses, government institutions, schools and private homes. Everyone has been told to take part in “subbotniks” – weekend days devoted to voluntary communal labour.



The city mayor has been walking the streets to check whether they are tidy.



Previous voluntary campaigns failed to encourage people to look after their streets, so the authorities are now using the threat of penalties.



Deputy mayor Muhiddin Mamasydykov outlined what will happen to those ignore the clean-up order, saying, “If it’s a café or restaurant, we’ll close them down temporarily. If it’s a multi-storey apartment block, we might cut off their electricity. It’s all being done to keep the city clean.”
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