Urgench State University Under Investigation for Antitrust Violations in 30 Billion UZS Procurement
Urgench State University Faces Legal Action for State Procurement Violations
Urgench State University is currently facing legal action for violations in state procurement regulations related to a project with an initial cost of nearly 30 billion UZS. The Khorezm regional office of the Antimonopoly Committee conducted an investigation following instructions from the regional prosecutor’s office, revealing these irregularities.
The university had submitted an application to the Khorezm Regional Consulting Center for Construction Tenders, classifying a project for the construction of a seven-story, 600-bed student dormitory as belonging to the second hazard category. However, a 2020 resolution by the Cabinet of Ministers (No. 496) stipulates that buildings of up to nine floors for higher educational institutions should be classified under the third category and placed in the “Transparent Construction” national information system.
By misclassifying the project, Urgench State University restricted other construction organizations from participating in the tender process. As a result, the regional office’s Special Commission opened a case against the university for breaching Article 29 of the Law on Competition. Information regarding the administrative liability of the responsible individuals has been passed on to the judiciary for further action.
This legal action serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to state procurement regulations and ensuring transparency in the procurement process. It also underscores the need for accountability in public institutions to prevent such violations from occurring in the future.
