Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — At a recent plenary session of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis, the Law “On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Connection with Improving the Seismic Safety System” was discussed.

The session highlighted the need to strengthen oversight in urban planning and ensure the seismic safety of structures.

It was noted that in recent years, systematic measures have been implemented to improve seismic safety in the country. Over the past three years, the State Construction Inspection Authority has monitored nearly 100,000 construction projects. However, violations of construction standards have become increasingly frequent. In 2022, over 6,000 violations were identified; in 2023, this number rose to nearly 8,000, and in the first 11 months of 2024, almost 9,000 cases were recorded.

Additionally, instances of illegal construction are on the rise. Between 2022 and 2024, over 13,000 construction projects began without state registration. These issues are largely due to organizational and legal gaps, such as unauthorized construction and failure to adhere to master plans.

To address these shortcomings and enhance the seismic resilience of buildings and structures, amendments will be made to existing legislation. Specifically, provisions will be added to the Criminal Code and the Administrative Responsibility Code to establish criminal liability for violations related to the issuance of permits for building operation, as well as for unauthorized alterations and reconstructions of load-bearing structures in multi-story residential buildings. Penalties for breaches of urban planning standards will also be increased.

The law introduces a provision allowing individuals who commit a violation for the first time and voluntarily remedy the consequences to be exempt from liability.

The Senate approved the law following the discussion.