Tajikistan lacks transparent policies for appointing civil servants, according to Marat Mamadshoev, the chief editor of IWPR in Tajikistan. He emphasizes the importance of establishing clear criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of civil service work.
Tajikistan, like its regional neighbors, faces significant state intervention in all aspects of public and private life. State-owned enterprises still dominate the industrial sector, with a high presence of government companies in the economy, enjoying vast privileges compared to private businesses.
Authorities often resort to command-administrative methods inherited from the Soviet era, intervening even in citizens' personal affairs under the pretext of combating poverty.
The tax burden on businesses is very high, yet certain state enterprises systematically evade taxes, with officials proposing initiatives to write off their tax arrears due to incompetent management.
Marat Mamadshoev previously advocated for the urgent privatization of state enterprises in Tajikistan, a viewpoint validated by current events.
Given the size of the government sector, the efficiency of public administration and the quality of the bureaucracy in Tajikistan hold significant importance.
Recent personnel appointments in Tajikistan have raised numerous questions, such as the mysterious dismissal of all heads of law enforcement agencies in the Khatlon region in mid-January.
The composition of the current government was mainly formed in 2020, with some officials holding positions for over a decade. While personnel reshuffles in Tajikistan's government over the past three years have been relatively infrequent, they often leave lingering doubts.
The lack of clarity surrounding recent appointments raises concerns, particularly regarding the dismissal of the Minister of Labor, Migration, and Employment of the Population of Tajikistan, Shirin Amonzoda, in January 2023.
The appointment of Kobildzhon Khushvakhtzoda as the president of the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan also sparked controversy due to plagiarism found in his doctoral dissertation.
The need for clear and verifiable criteria in the country's public administration is crucial, especially amidst doubts raised by internal Tajik statistics.
Criticism of Tajikistan's personnel policy often highlights nepotism, favoritism, and personal loyalty as key factors in staff selection.
Addressing corruption and inefficiencies in the government apparatus, as well as enhancing transparency and accountability, are essential steps towards improving governance in Tajikistan.
In conclusion, the challenges facing Tajikistan's public administration underscore the necessity for comprehensive reforms and increased transparency in government operations to ensure effective governance and sustainable development.
