Turkmenistan tightens control over distribution of gasoline to population

Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Nov.27 By Huseyn Hasanov- Trend: Turkmenistan has tightened control over gasoline distribution. In particular, the structural units of the country's Interior Ministry continue carry out investigative action in this direction, Turkmen State News Service Turkmen Dovlet Khabarlary (TDH) reported on Nov.26. According to the report, in this way 'the tasks on protection of law and order in the state and public interest' are being implemented. TDH recalled that 'there have been material privileges and the huge benefits created in this state and they do not have analogues in any other county'. It is about providing the population with free gas, water, electricity and motor fuel. In this case the material is devoted to the distribution of gasoline. 'Unfortunately, despite this there are sometimes greedy people who try to abuse privileges granted by the state to population', the TDH article said. It was earlier reported that the authorised banking institutions of Turkmenistan seasonally and half yearly issue limit coupons on petrol and diesel fuel. It is now being considered to issue coupons to all citizens of Turkmenistan for free gasoline (А-95) to a volume of 720 litres for each car half yearly at a rate of 120 litres per month. The authorities explain the benefits for free quotas by the fact that all gasoline is produced in Turkmenistan. TDH stressed that "some people obtain dozens of vehicles and push them on to their relatives to get free gasoline granted by the state". According to the material, 'by using the acquired free gasoline for profit, these people only care about their personal gain and seek to avoid paying taxes that should be paid in accordance to the current legislation and they must be punished for this'. At the current stage Turkmenistan produces approximately 10 million tons of oil per year and a significant part of this oil is processed at local industries.