Uzbekistan Cracks Down on Private Gas Maintenance Companies
Uzbekistan's Ministry of Energy has issued a warning to private companies not to threaten households with gas cutoffs if they refuse their maintenance services. The ministry received reports from several regions about representatives of private organizations offering technical maintenance for gas stoves and boilers, but claiming that consumers are required to use their services or risk having their homes disconnected from the gas supply.
According to current legislation, legal entities holding necessary permits may provide technical maintenance of gas-using equipment and gas networks. However, such services must be provided based on a written, verbal or electronic order from the consumer and in accordance with established tariffs and terms.
The Energy Ministry stressed that private organizations are not authorized to require consumers to use their services or independently disconnect households from the gas supply for refusing them. Such demands are unlawful.