According to a new decree, a competition will be held among employees in government service for the title of the most avid reader. The one who reads the most books will receive a reward equivalent to one month's salary.
Additionally, the president has instructed that by April 1, all government institutions should be equipped with special reading corners and implement monthly "reading hours" for employees. An internal ranking system based on employees' reading activity will also be launched.
Students and schoolchildren who make it into the top 100 book lovers can also expect rewards. They are entitled to a monetary reward of 25 times the basic calculation amount (BCA) — 10.3 million sums (about $856).
The decree also mentions the establishment of a Fund for the Development of Reading Culture, which will operate under the Agency for Youth Affairs. This fund will finance up to 50% of the costs for publishing books by local authors and up to 80% of the costs for acquiring copyright for translating the best works of foreign literature into Uzbek and vice versa.
Moreover, the president of Uzbekistan has signed a law that amends legislation to allow convicts to reduce their sentences for reading books from a special list. The only exception is those sentenced to life imprisonment.
According to Kun.uz, under the new rules, for each confirmed book that contributes to the formation of "correct spiritual and moral values," the sentence can be reduced by three days. The maximum reduction possible is 30 days within one calendar year.
A special commission, consisting of correctional facility staff and public representatives, will verify the reading of books based on the statements of the convicts. It will meet at least twice a year and make decisions based on the evaluation results.
A positive conclusion from the commission is sent to the prosecutor, handed to the convict for acknowledgment, and can be given to their defender. After that, the administration of the facility submits a petition to the court for a sentence reduction, based on the fact that the convict has "taken the path of correction."
