According to her, the Ministry of Defense plans to raise the amount of fees, citing the increase in the average salary, which was 14,300 soms in 2017 and has already reached 35,791 soms in 2024.
However, Talieva emphasized that average salaries vary by region: in the Batken region — 26,000 soms, in the Chui region — 27,000 soms, in the Osh region — 25,000 soms.
“Although 35,000 soms is the average level across the country, regional salaries must be taken into account when setting the fee amounts. Otherwise, wealthy citizens will be able to opt for alternative service, while the poor will be obliged to serve in the army,” the deputy noted.
She also added that all men in Kyrgyzstan should serve, but for some reason, this mainly concerns representatives of the titular nation. “Why don’t others serve?” she asked.
In response, First Deputy Minister of Defense Talaybek Sharshiev stated that draftees must meet certain requirements.
“For example, only young men taller than 170 cm are accepted into the National Guard, and a complete family is required. Citizens with a nine-year education can serve in the army, but representatives of some nations only complete six grades. Because of this, psychiatrists may refuse to draft them, as such draftees will not even be able to learn the regulations,” the deputy minister explained.
It is worth noting that the Ministry of Defense proposes:
- to exclude specific amounts of payments specified in the Law "On the Universal Military Duty of Citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic, on Military and Alternative Services" and in the Code on Non-Tax Revenues;
- to establish that the amounts of the specified payments will be determined by the Cabinet of Ministers.
- for citizens aged 22 to 40 who have not served in the military and have completed alternative service, the amount will increase from 50,000 to 75,000 soms;
- for military-eligible individuals under 30 years of the first category with higher education wishing to undergo mobilization reserve training - from 70,000 to 90,000 soms;
- for those called to alternative service due to family circumstances - from 18,000 to 25,000 soms;
- for those called with health restrictions - from 25,000 to 40,000 soms;
- for members of registered religious organizations that do not allow the use of weapons and service in the armed forces, as well as for citizens wishing to perform socially useful work (48 hours) - from 25,000 to 50,000 soms;
- for citizens over 25 years old who have not served in either military or alternative service and do not wish to undergo training, the amount will be 50,000 soms instead of 25,000 soms, if there are no materials regarding evasion of the draft.
