A video featuring Naviy region deputy head Ulmas Istamov instructing organization leaders to gather votes on the Open Budget platform has gone viral on social media. Istamov threatened dismissal for those who fail to meet the quota set by the district head. The deputy head's aggressive tone and ultimatums have sparked outrage among the public.
During a Zoom conference meeting, Istamov emphasized that collecting votes for a specific initiative was a directive from the district head. He warned leaders that failure to comply would result in immediate termination. Istamov's intimidating approach towards the organization heads has raised concerns about abuse of power and coercion in the region.
Furthermore, Istamov singled out specific individuals, including the head of a local children's daycare, Nodira Atamurotova, and issued similar threats of mass dismissals if targets were not met. The deputy head's actions have caused distress among the targeted officials and raised questions about the ethical conduct of government representatives in the region.
The Naviy region administration has initiated an internal investigation into Istamov's behavior during the meeting. The district administration condemned the deputy head's actions and promised to take appropriate measures following the probe. Additionally, the National Commission against Human Trafficking and for Decent Work has pledged to assess the legality of Istamov's actions and ensure accountability for any misconduct.
Ulmas Istamov, who assumed the position of deputy head in February 2022, faces scrutiny for his coercive tactics and aggressive management style. The incident has shed light on the need for transparency and accountability in local governance and raised concerns about the treatment of public officials in the region.
