TASHKENT. Dec 20 (Interfax) - Uzbekistan will carry out an administrative reform to cut the number of ministries and other agencies by more than half and the number of public servants by nearly one-third, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said on Tuesday.
"I've signed a decree on an administrative reform. The number of ministries and other agencies will be reduced from the current 61 to 28, and the number of public servants will be reduced gradually by 25%-30%," Mirziyoyev said in an annual address to both parliamentary houses.
The reform should redefine the functions and powers of the ministries, committees, agencies, and inspectorates "to eliminate duplication," he said.
Mirziyoyev warned that numerous government ministers would lose their offices.
"Only those who have profound knowledge of their purview, devoted, and who have won the people's support will retain their offices," he said.
The administrative reform will introduce a system where the chiefs of agencies, on the strength of their constitutional status, would be able to work directly with the prime minister, he said.
"That is, draft government directives will be drawn up and important socioeconomic matters concerning the country's functioning will be addressed collegiately, with immediate involvement of agency chiefs," he said.
Mirziyoyev insisted on switching from "hands-on management" to systemic and result-oriented management.