The Prosecutor General's Office reported of violations of the Public procurement law in the former Tashkent Culture Department (the Tashkent branch of the Ministry of Culture).
It is reported that last year the department entered into direct contracts with various firms (without tenders, as required by law) to hold festivals worth of 20 billion soums, or US$ 1.7 million.
These festivals were held in May-September, however, in order to hide offences, on October 24 and November 3, department officials posted announcements and documents for holding 5 festivals on the online tender portal, having entered into relevant agreements, the Prosecutor General's Office said.
In addition, during the festivals, the supervisory authority believes, budgetary funds worth of 8 billion soums were embezzled by paying for non-performed work and not provided services.
Following the probe, a criminal case was launched against officials of the department and others, with investigations now underway.
