The press service of the Tashkent province governor’s office responded to the public outcry on social networks regarding the allocation by the office of 4.5 billion soums ($375 thousand) for a parking lot for the Tashkent province prosecutor's office in Nurafshan city (Tashkent province’s administrative center) as per the decision made by the governor’s office.

“It would be correct not to interpret that the sum as being contributed for the parking lot only. We found it necessary to provide additional explanations, understanding that the fact that the purpose of the allocation of funds, for certain reasons, was explained in the text of the decision as “for the construction of a parking complex” and not “for the construction of a parking lot” has caused such controversial discussions,” the administration said in its response.

Reportedly, the initial project price had been estimated at 5.9 billion soums. The cost of construction and installation of the object was reviewed by province’s administration and service company, and as a result of coordination of some types of work, the total price dropped to 4.5 billion soums.

The democratic and the liberalization program launched by the new administration have contributed to the economic growth in Uzbekistan, and hence higher public spending. However, the lack of transparency in the use of public resources has long been leading to wasting of those resources.

It is a major problem when government officials opt for lavish and showy building designs, luxury cars and business travels, instead of better infrastructure, schools, financial support to vulnerable people and many other pressing issues.

In other words, being heedlessly lavish in expenditures is reckless profligacy and financial irresponsibility amid privation and while starvation wages are paid to schoolteachers, kindergarten workers, public health workers, cleaners at municipal service and many others.