The town of Batken was established in April 1934 as the center of the rayon of the same name. In 1999 the Batken oblast was created, with Batken city as its administrative center. In 2000 Batken was granted the status of a city under rayon jurisdiction.

Batken city is located in the oblast center. In the North it borders on Kara-Baksky ayil okmotu, in the East - on Darinsky ayil okmotu and in the West - on Samarkandsky ayil okmotu.

The climatic conditions and administrative and territorial structure of the city:

The city is situated at a height of 1036 meters above sea level. The summer is hot and dry here and the winter is relatively cold. The duration of winter period is about 100 days.

The city relief is as follows: a mountain plain (an irrigated area), a mountain ridge area (non-irrigated farming and spring-autumn pasture area), a low mountain area and the mountains (local pasture areas).

The total area of the city is 5180 hectares. The city owned territory (excluding household land plots) is 1143 hectares. The city agricultural lands make up an area of 4037 hectares, including 1106 hectares of farmland, 918 hectares of which is irrigated; FPU land amount to 393 hectares, including 316 hectares of irrigated land; part-time farm land of 27 hectares (irrigated); urban dwellers'' household plots of 111 hectares (irrigated) and there are 2400 hectares of pastureland.

In terms of administrative and territorial organization, the city is divided into six districts the Airport Bazaar- Bashy, Bulak-Bashy, Kelechek, Kyzyl-Don and Kyzyl-Jol.

Population and its composition;

The population of the city has representatives of 14 nationalities. The overwhelming majority of the city population is Kyrgyz - about 99.5% of the total.

As of January 1, 2004 the total population was 23,335. The city population ethnicity composition is as follows: Kyrgyz - 23,214, Uzbeks - 23, Russians - 12, Ukrainians - 9, Tartars - 29, Turks - 13, Tajiks - 21, other nationalities

The city population composition by age and gender

General issues of city development:

• Extremely worn out physical and social infrastructures - water pipelines, sewage system, electric
  transmission and telecommunication lines, city road paving, etc.;
• Poor economic development - absence of agricultural food processing plants, everyday service enterprises,
  etc.;
• High unemployment levels;
• High levels of migration and emigration, particularly of young people and men;
• Remoteness from the significant economic zones of the Republic.

2. CITY ECONOMY

The city economy development is primarily characterized by agriculture and business development. Currently there are practically no industrial enterprises in the city.

The following enterprises are engaged in economic activity in the city:

Enterprise activity structural analysis by type of production and service is as following:

1. There are 121 enterprises producing and processing agricultural produce, or 46.5%
2. There are 16 industrial enterprises, or 6.3%
3. There are 96 commercial and public catering enterprises, or 37.1%
4. There are 17 everyday service enterprises, or 6.6%
5. There are 9 communication, transportation and other types of enterprises, or 3.5%

   In accordance with the fact that Batken was granted city status and is now the oblast administrative center, the following are the priorities for the city economic development:

   1. Establishing agricultural produce processing enterprises, including: an apricot processing (producing juices,
   jams, fruit butter; dried pre-packed apricots, etc.), rice processing plant (grinding, packing, etc.), meat
   processing shop (sausage production), pastry shop (cookies, cakes, etc.), wool processing plant.

   2. Establishing small-size industrial enterprises, including: furniture and finish making shop, paving slab
   making shop, ready-made clothes making shop, handicraft shop (carpets, jurtas, national garments, etc.).

   3. Establishing everyday service enterprises, including: constructing a modern 3 or 4-star hotel with a business
   center, computer and other office equipment servicing center, printing centers, dry cleaner''s and mini
   laundries.

   2000 - 2003 total production volume analysis (thousand soms)

   Indicator	2000	2001	2002	2003	% base 2003
   Total production volume, including:	120520.4	136281.7	183775.7	188172.4
   ? Industrial output	5524.1	11186.4	12768.0	13213.7	7%
   ? Gross agricultural produce	108746.3	112474.2	131115.4	131507.8	69.9 %
   ? Construction	-	-	5388.4	6672.6	3.6 %
   ? Transport	-	-	18786.4	19259.5	10.2 %
   ? Paid for services	6250.0	12621. 1	15717.5	17518.8	9.3 %

   As one can see from the table above, agricultural produce accounts for more than 90 % of the total production volume.

   BANKS AND OTHER FINANCIAL AND CREDITING INSTITUTIONS:

   • Oblast representative office of the KR National Bank;
   • Batken branch of "Promstroybank";
   • Batken branch of "Settlement and Savings Bank" Open Type JSC;
   • 4 credit unions;
   • Branches of "FINCA", Kyrgyz Agricultural Financial Corporation, "Ak-Maral South";
   • "Kyrgyzayiltrus" micro-crediting organization.

   3. LOCAL SELF GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE

   There are 21 deputies in the city Kenesh. The following standing deputy commissions have been established:

   1. Commission on budget, economic and financial issues - 4 deputies. Commission Chairman - S. Artikov.
   2. Commission on culture, sports and tourism, youth and social issues - 4 deputies. Commission Chairman - A.
      Ishanov.
   3. Commission on rights protection, crime and boarder related issues - 5 deputies. Commission Chairman - A.
      Tursumatov.
   4. Commission on industry, construction and communication - 4 deputies. Commission Chairman - Ch.
      Jusupov.
   5. Commission on agriculture, agrarian and land issues - 4 deputies. Commission Chairman - M. Musaev.

      Organizations providing public services in the city

      #		Organization		Number of employees
      1		City self government		32
      2		Municipal property department at the city self government		4
      3		Rayon state administration and rayon kenesh		30
      4		Rayon culture division (including library and culture house personnel)		33
      5		Rayon architecture and construction division		12
      6		Rayon social protection department		41
      7		Rayon Social Fund department		20
      8		Rayon education division		15
      9		United oblast hospital		287
      10		Rayon employment center		6
      11		Rayon department of property rights registration (Gosregister)		19
      12		Inter-rayon prosecutor''s office		11
      13		Rayon court		9
      14		Rayon civilian registry office		2
      15		Rayon archive		2
      16		United city military registration and enlistment office		21
      17		Rayon sanitary and epidemiological station		37
      18		Rayon tax office		25
      19		Rayon agriculture department		8
      20		Rayon land department		19
      21		Rayon veterinary department		15
      22		Rayon statistics committee		8
      23		Rayon finance division		6
      24		Rayon treasury division		5
      25		Rayon center of agrarian and land reform		5
      26		Rayon water department		162
      		TOTAL		834

      Public utilities

      	Utilities	Personnel	Type of ownership
      1	"Gorvodokanal" utility	25	municipal
      2	"Batken kommunalshik " JSC	11	95% of stocks are at the city self government disposal and 5% are owned by the JSC collective

      MAIN PROBLEMS:

      1. Lack of specialized machinery (cesspool emptying trucks, watering machines, refuse loading machines, etc.)

      2. Water supply and sewage networks are worn out.

      3. Establishment and development of condominiums in the city.

      4. PUBLIC SERVICES

      4.1. HEALTHCARE

      The united oblast hospital provides services to the city and oblast residents. Outpatient care is provided by five groups of family practitioners (GFP) and three centers of medical assistance and obstetrics (CMAO).

      Batken healthcare establishments

      The united oblast hospital has 350 beds, ?? hospital - 180, outpatient''s clinic - 250 visits. There are five GFPs, three CMAOs and six drugstores in Batken.

      The city healthcare establishments have only 66 % of the required medical personnel. There are four pediatricians, two children''s doctors, four - general practitioners, three gynecologists and two dentist vacancies.

      MAIN PROBLEMS:

      1. The healthcare institutions lack about 20 % of the required equipment, including lab equipment, and they
      lack about 20 % of the required medicines. Annually about 100.0 thousand soms are allocated for these
      purposes but the required amount should be in the region of 800.0 thousand soms.

      2. In order to improve healthcare services it is necessary to establish two GFPs in "Bulak-Bahy" district and in
      "Chet-Bulak" residential area. It is necessary to construct a CMAO in "Balik-Bashy" district and equip it
      appropriately.

      4.2. EDUCATION

      The rayon education establishments division jointly with the local self-government manages the public education.

      Educational establishments and number of children

      #	Type	Seats /children
      1	Schools - 6 of them: secondary schools - 5 elementary school - 1 high school - 1	3945 / 4878 3500 / 4382 45/58 400 / 438
      2	Kindergartens- 2	280 / 372

      Educational establishments and number of students (higher education establishments specialized Education establishments, vocational lyceums)

      #	Educational establishment type	Number of students
      1.	Batken State University. 141 teachers are employed, including two professors -Doctors of Science, 13 assistant professors - Candidates of Science. There are 14 professions taught here.	2490
      2	The Law Academy branch. There are 3 professions taught here.	235
      3	Vocational lyceum # 57. Four trades are studied here.	195

      Out-of-school establishments:

      Physical training club for children and youth: 4 groups - 120 children; "Meyerim"- Children''s education center: 6 groups - 132 children.

      MAIN PROBLEMS:

      1. About 80% of school buildings need capital repairs. Also, additional classrooms have to be constructed in
      three secondary schools and one elementary school.

      2. Schools are not property furnished and supplied with textbooks and equipment.

      3. Teachers and technical staff are not paid in a timely manner.

      4. Educational establishments are not adequately manned with skilled personnel for reasons of low pay and
      lack of career development prospects.

      4.3. CULTURE AND SPORTS

      In Batken there is a centralized rayon library, a children''s library and five school libraries. There are about 20,000 books available in these libraries. In addition, there is a movie theater, rayon Culture House, musical school for 70 students, central city park, culture and recreation park, five children''s play grounds, dancing ground, four clubs and seven hobby groups.

      MAIN PROBLEMS:

      1. The rayon Culture House capital repair work needs to be completed.

      2. The city culture and recreation park improvement works needs to be completed.

      3. It is necessary to improve the central city park, decorate it with small-size architectural constructions and
      build attractions.

      4. It is necessary to construct a building for the oblast TV studio.

      5. It is necessary to create ten children''s playgrounds.

      6. It is necessary to construct buildings for children''s and rayon libraries.

      7. It is necessary to construct a musical school building for 100 children.

      8. It is necessary to construct a building for the regional museum.

      SPORT CONSTRUCTIONS in the city:

      • The central stadium, seating 400 people
      • Open air swimming pool
      • Five school sports grounds
      • Three school gymnasiums
      • Four sport sections (basketball, boxing, wrestling, football)

      MAIN PROBLEMS:

      1. Lack of sports equipment;

      2. It is necessary to perform capital repairs of three school gymnasiums;

      3. It is necessary to complete the construction of sports facilities at the city Central stadium;

      4. It is necessary to construct three school gymnasiums;

      5. It is necessary to build two open swimming pools;

      6. It is necessary to create three sports grounds in the densely populated residential areas of the city.

      4.4. HOUSING SECTOR

      The total area of the city housing resource is 307.9 thousand square meters. There are 445 (13,820 sq. m) apartments in multi-storied buildings and 4804 (288,240 sq. m) private houses.

      The average total dwelling area per individual is - 13.2 sq. m. At present 1200 land parcels are needed for the construction of individual houses, i.e. about 144.0 thousand sq. m. Of the 17 multi-storied apartment buildings in the city, 12 are serviced by "Batken Communalshik" JSC. The remaining five houses are properties in abeyance. There have been several attempts to establish condominiums but they have failed.

      MAIN PROBLEMS:

      1. Large amounts of money are owed by the population to service providing entities (for residential building
      maintenance and usage);

      2. Lack of funding for capital repairs of multi-storied apartment buildings and engineering infrastructure.

      4.5. SOCIAL PROTECTION

      The Batken rayon social protection department and social division of Batken city local self government are responsible for implementing republican, oblast and city level programs of population social support.

      The city self-government develops Programs to support low-income families by providing them with money to pay public utility and electricity bills. It also develops healthcare programs. But it will be impossible to implement these programs in the near future due to a lack of funds in the city budget.

      In 2003 the city residents received 1870.0 thousand soms in assistance from the republican budget, 54.0 thousand soms - from the oblast budget and about 100.0 thousand soms - from the city budget.

      Socially vulnerable population by category, including:	4355 people or 18.7% of the population
      Poor people (low income)	1832
      Pensioners	1512
      Disabled	384
      War and labor veterans	89
      Single mothers	176
      Orphans	2
      Children with one parent only	282
      Chernobil disaster liquidation participants	8
      Afghanistan war participants	24
      Single widows	2
      Single elderly people	30
      Other categories	78

      Poverty level in 2003-2004

      ?	Status	Families / people	%
      1	Very poor families with incomes up to 400 som	602 / 2285	9.8
      2	Poor families with incomes up to 600 som	1204/4575	19.6

      MAIN PROBLEMS:

      1. It is impossible to provide employment to all those who need it.

      2. It is necessary to build a center of rehabilitation and disease prevention for disabled children.

      3. It is necessary to establish a boarding house for single old people.

      4. It is necessary to establish a city micro-crediting center for the socially vulnerable population.

      5. It is necessary to create a city center for disease prevention and social servicing for the socially vulnerable.

      6. It is necessary to establish free meal centers, including a "dairy product kitchen for infants".

      4.6. POPULATION EMPLOYMENT

      The city able-bodied population is 10,200 people. The actual number of actively employed is 4876 or 47.8% of the total of able-bodied population. Currently, 1479 people are registered in the rayon Employment Center. The official unemployment rate in the city is 14.5%.

      The Table below shows the funding allocated to support the city unemployed by the micro-crediting, banking and other organizations.

      New job creation forecast for Batken city

      #	Indicator	2004	2005	2006
      	Total jobs, including	135	145	160
      1	At enterprises	15	17	20
      2	As a result of small to medium business development	52	54	57
      3	As a result of agriculture development	26	28	31
      4	As a result of foreign investments	4	4	5
      5	As a result of Employment Fund activity	31	33	36
      6	As a result of private business activity	6	7	8
      7	At the expense of the local budget	1	2	3
      	Total:	270	290	320

      Basic measurement forecast of labor market in Batken city for 2004 - 2006

      ?	Indicators	2003	2004	2005
      1	Labor resources, people	10200	10300	10500
      2	Employed population, people	4876	5050	5500
      3	Jobs provided, people	220	230	240
      4	Vocational training, people	40	45	50
      5	Public paid work	125	135	140
      6	Micro-credit, people	92	105	120
      7	Benefit, people	280	300	310
      	Total:	15833	16165	16860

      4.7. WATER SUPPLY

      Batken "Vodokanal" municipal utility is a specialized enterprise providing clean drinking water to the city economic entities and population and wastewater treatment. The total number of its consumers is 5249, of them budget organizations make up - 85, population - 4970, commercial organizations - 194. The water consumption norm is 940.5 m3 / day.

      Water tariffs:

      ? population - 2.85 som (excluding VAT);

      ? budget financed organizations - 3.43 som (excluding VAT).

      Electricity tariff- 0.60 som (excluding VAT)

      One of the major problems the local government is facing is providing the population with clean drinking water. Despite the fact that the useful life of the water supply and sewage pipelines, and other infrastructure expired some 15 - 20 year ago, there has been no overhaul performed thus far. As of 01.07.2004 only two out of nine water wells were operating. It is impossible to use the other seven, as the deep well pumps are broken, the same is true about the substations, well casing and other parts.

      The "Vodokanal" municipal utility has a large bill of 2776.6 thousand soms outstanding payable to the Batken Electric Transmission Lines, a bill of 739.7 thousand soms payable to the Social Fund, 19.9 thousand soms payable to the state tax office, salary and wage debts of 231.7 thousand soms. At the same time the water consumer debt payable to the water supply utility for the period from 2001 to 2004 was 810.2 thousand soms. There are several reasons that account for these debts payable to "Vodikanal". They are: the low level paying ability of the city population, inadequate funding provided by the state to the budget financed organizations and institutions (for water consumption) and the city budged deficit. Given the current situation, characterized by lack of appropriate financial resources, the "Vodokanal" utility only repairs the network in cases of emergency. Recently, a bankruptcy process has been initiated by the creditors of the "Vodokanal" against this municipal utility.

      At present, there is a debate as to whether the maintenance and operation of the water supply and sewage system should be transferred to "Batken taza suu" - the Rural Public Association of Potable Water Consumers (RPAPWC). "Batken taza suu" consists of five district potable water consumer associations - - Airport, Bazar -Bashy, Kyzyl - Jol, Kelechek, and Kyzyl - Don.

      In order to improve the drinking water supply of the population, Batken city local self-government jointly with the Oblast Water Department has developed a project for the city water supply system rehabilitation. This Project has been submitted to the ADB (Asian Development Bank) as part of the Project of "Rendering infrastructure services to built-up area level" that is being implemented. Under this Project a 25.7 km long waterway is to be laid from the "Karakol" area to Batken city. Metal pipes (D=219mm) will be used. It is also planned to construct a 25 km long water pipeline in the city and to undertake the rehabilitation of the existing water supply system.

      The Project was supported by the ADB. For the purpose of implementing this Project proposal an agreement was signed on September 2, 2003 between the Ministry of agriculture and processing industry of the KR, acting as the General Client, and the "Community" Consortium, acting as a General Contractor. In accordance with the conditions of the Agreement and the ADB-172-BA-RW-001-HB Contract, the Contractor shall construct a "Batken" water supply system. The Project cost is 46.950 million som (excluding taxes). The total contract cost (including taxes) is 55.237 million soms.

      MAIN PROBLEMS:

      1. Eight deep well pumps need replacement;

      2. 560 meters of high-tension cable and 6 control panels have to be replaced;

      3. Three transformer substations need overhauling and it is necessary to purchase two more;

      4. 18 km water pipeline needs overhauling;

      5. 15 km water pipeline has to be reconstructed;

      6. It is required to install 125 hydrants;

      7. It is necessary to repair and install 12 bactericidal plants;

      8. It is required to construct and equip a water-testing laboratory.

      4.8. SEWAGE

      The city sewage system is maintained and operated by the "Vodokanal" municipal utility. The total number of its consumers is 1120. The treatment plant (three units of KU - 200 type) was constructed in 1976. All the units of the treatment plant are non-operating. The treated water is discharged into the drainage canal and the treated sewage is not disinfected.

      MAIN PROBLEMS:

      1. It is necessary to overhaul two KU-200 treatment units;

      2. It is required to install two more KU-200 treatment units;

      3. It is required to overhaul the treatment plant operation building;

      4. It is necessary to construct a new building for chlorination;

      5. It is required to purchase two chlorination plants of LONI-100 type; ten liquid chlorine cylinders; two
      electric motors of rotation type for the blower;

      6. It is necessary to install a transformer substation of TP - 160 type;

      7. The existing 7.5 km long sewage network and 70 manholes need reconstructing and overhauling.

      4.9. POWER SUPPLY

      The city is supplied with power by the Batken RES of "Oshelectro"Open Type JSC. The length of the city 6 kilovolt overhead transmission lines is 32.0 km, 0.4 kilovolt overhead transmission lines are 52.0 km long, 6 kilovolt cable lines ? 12 km, 0.4 kilovolt cable lines - 19 km. The number of the operating transformer substations is - 67.

      We have no data on the Batken RES receipts and expenditures as it reports to "Oshelectro"Open Type JSC. The population tariff is 0.60 som per 1 kWh (VAT exclusive).

      MAIN PROBLEMS:

      1. It is necessary to overhaul the 4.5 km of power transmission lines.

      2. It is required to install 25 additional transformer substations.

      3. It is necessary to overhaul the 7 km street lighting and install two additional transformer substations.

      4.10. COMMUNICATION

      Telecommunication services are provided by the Batken division of "Kyrgyztelecom" JSC. It is servicing 2065 numbers. Of them: 1700 are analog and 365 are digital numbers. There is an automatic switching center in the city, Central Post Office and two district post offices in "Bazar-Bashy" and "Kelechek" districts.

      MAIN PROBLEMS:

      1. It is necessary to construct an automatic switching center for 2500-3000 digital numbers.

      2. It is necessary to provide mobile communication service

      3. A central trunk-call office has to be built.

      4. It is necessary to build a new post office in "Kyzyl-Jol" district.

      4.11. HEATING

      All the enterprises and organizations of the city have been transferred to autonomous electric heating.

      4.12. SOLID GARBAGE

      As the city lacks garbage containers and special garbage disposal areas, its dwellers have to dispose of their garbage at places that do not suit for this purpose. As a result there appear spontaneous garbage disposal sites and during windy weather episodes garbage is blown about the neighborhood. These circumstances make the city look particularly dirty and there may result in an outbreak of infectious diseases.

      Solid garbage disposal service is provided by the "Batken-communalshik" JSC, that is servicing multi-storied house districts. It also provides this service to some organizations and institutions at an agreed price. The rest of the city territory is cleaned by the local population and organizations. The garbage dump is located in the Northwest of the city, some 4.5 km from the center, and is within the precincts of the city. The running and financial responsibility of the dump belongs to Batken self-government.

      MAIN PROBLEMS:

      It is necessary to take the following steps in order to improve the sanitary condition of the city and ensure solid garbage disposal:

      1. create special garbage areas -10 to 15 areas;

      2. purchase 25-30 garbage containers;

      3. purchase a container carrying truck (GAZ - 53);

      4. purchase a garbage loader (JMZ tractor).

      4.13. TRANSPORT

      Transportation companies'' operation is supervised by the Oblast Transport Inspectorate. Passenger haulage tariffs are agreed with the Oblast Department of Antimonopoly Policy.

      Two motor transportation companies - "Batken" JSC and "Batkentrans" state enterprise - carry out passenger transportation on suburban routes.

      "Batken" JSC. Activity type - passenger haulage. It has 29 buses and provides transportation services on 2 long distance and 13 suburban routes.

      Every day a large private bus and three mini buses start from Batken to Osh, and one mini-bus from Batken to Isfana.

      From April 2004, "Altin Air" Airlines has three passenger flights a week. They use small planes on Batken - Bishkek route. In addition, the same Airlines run a charter flight from Batken - Bishkek - Urumchy (China) once a week.

      MAIN PROBLEMS:

      1. Unstable fuel prices.

      2. Lack of spare parts and components.

      3. Lack of funding for purchasing new vehicles. The average age of motor transport is 12-15 years.

      4.14. ROADS

      #	Batken road industry	Number, measurement unit
      1	Year of asphalting roads: I- 1st phase -1957 II-2nd phase -1964 III-3rd phase -1981	2.8km 3.6km 7.6km
      2	Total length of streets, including: ? Asphalted roads ? Dirt roads	68km 14km 54km
      3	Length of in-city irrigation network	69km
      4	City bridges	5
      5	Street lighting length	10.5km
      6	Sidewalk length	32km
      7	Number of public transport stops	16

      Within the period of 1996-1997 the entire inner city road infrastructure was transferred to the balance sheet of local self-government. It has been gradually deteriorating because of the lack of funding for road maintenance. In particular, within the last two to three years the structures of the four public transport stops have had to be dismantled for reasons of passenger safety. Road potholes and bumps, particularly on the central streets, create accidents and prevent normal traffic flows.

      There is practically no street lighting in the city. It is only during some festivities that part of Nugazyev Street from the Central Stadium to T. Sadikov Street is lit. Installation works are performed by the local RES as there is no specialized equipment in the city.
      Currently, road works are carried out at the expense of the republican and oblast budget. 2.5 km of the central streets - Nurgazieva and Sidikova - are being asphalted. The total budget is 6.0 million soms. The cost for all of the streets repairs is 70 million som.

      MAIN PROBLEMS:

      1. It is necessary to perform capital repairs of asphalted roads, the total length is 14 km;

      2. It is necessary to perform capital and repairs of dirt roads, the total length is 32 km;

      3. It is required to install 55 "cobra" type street lamps;

      4. It is required to repair the irrigation system and build 25 km of reinforced concrete troughs;

      5. It is necessary to perform capital repair works and expand the roadway of three bridges;

      6. It is required to carry out capital repairs of 12 public transport stops.

      4.15. MARKETS AND DISTRIBUTION OPPORTUNITIES

      The following markets operate on the city territory:

      #	Name	Number of people working at the market	Type of ownership
      1	Central city market	240	Rayon Association of Consumer Union
      2	"Ak-Orgo" mini-market	75	Rayon Association of Consumer Union
      3	"Ak-Batken" wholesale market	15	Private
      4	Cattle market	150	Rayon Association of Consumer Union

      4.16. ENVIRONMENT

      The oblast environment protection department is responsible for nature and environmental protection of the city. The major nature and ecology protection problem is the subsoil water table level rising. This problem is a very critical one for such districts as "Bazar-Bashy"and "Bulak-Bashy", situated in the lower part of the city, and for "Kyzyl-Jol". This problem is primarily related to the fact that six drainage wells, that were used to raise subsoil water and discharge it into the horizontal drainage system, have broken down. Also, the horizontal drainage system has not been cleaned within the last 15 years. On top of all this, illegal mass tree and bush cutting by the local population has also caused the level of subsoil water rise. The fact that the level of subsoil water has risen considerably, has resulted in negative effects which has caused a residential building slump, the impossibility of some agricultural land cultivation, soil surface salinization, cane and other detrimental plant growth, etc. The approximate cost of repairs and rehabilitation of the city drainage system would be 5.0 million soms.

      Another significant problem is the mud dam breaking. The city of Batken is located in the zone of frequent mudslides. There is a river running across the city center. During flood and downpour periods the water in the riverbed turns into a rapid torrent. 3,0 million soms are required to repair the mud dam system.

      5. MAIN INDICATORS OF CITY BUDGET

      In 2002 the actual budget expenditure was 1879.4 thousand soms and the actual revenue - 1879.4 thousand soms. In 2003 the original adopted revenue plan was 15259.0 thousand soms. The actual expenditure for 2003 was 13245.7 thousand soms, of this amount 37% was spent on education.

      Batken city budget revenue for 2002-2004 (thousand soms)

      Indicator	2002 actual	2003 plan	2003 actual	2004 plan
      Local taxes
      Fee for garbage disposal	-	78.7	81.2	-
      Tax on vehicle owners	55.1	55.1	76.1	55.1
      Land tax payable by individuals	117.4	142.6	153.2	109.5
      Land tax payable by legal entities	86.8	177.7	179.9	86.8
      Total land tax	259.3	454.1	490.4	251.4
      State fee	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0

      
      

      Total: Non-tax revenue	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0
      Special funds	804.5	1000.4	786.7	631.6
      Total tax and non-tax revenue	1064.8	1455.5	1278.1	884.0
      Categorical grants	369.0	5062.7	4933.9	5198.5
      Equalization grants	445.6	8314.9	6609.2	515.5
      Funds transferred from republican budget	-	425.9	424.5	-
      Transfers	814.6	13803.5	11967.6	5714.0
      Total revenue	1879.4	15259.0	13245.7	6598.0

      Batken city budget expenditure for 2002-2004 (thousand soms)

      Indicator	2002 actual	2003 plan	2003 actual	2004 plan
      Expenditure by sector
      Education	369.0	5653.9	5523.7	5551.5
      Total expenditure	369.0	5653.9	5523.7	5551.5
      Expenditure by item
      Salary and wages	877.5	4878.4	4793.3	4484.2
      Social Fund contribution	219.7	1219.8	1201.9	1121.2
      Inland traveling expenses	30.0			11.0
      Equipment and material procurement	5.0	10.0	10.0	50.0
      Nutrition		215.0	215.0	120.0
      Transportation costs	41.0	66.0	49.0	6.0
      Communal services	219.6	425.9	424.5	90.0
      Other purchases and services		7.0	7.0	34.0
      Capital repairs	179.0	3356.0	1942.3	50.0
      Subsidies		4080.5	3816.0
      Special funds	307.6	1000.4	786.7	631.6
      Total expenditure by economic classification	1879.4	15259.0	13245.7	6598.0

      6.COMMUNAL PROPERTY

      25 objects (buildings, constructions, services) are on the balance sheet of the city self government

      Indicator	Years of construction	Length, km	Note or book cost
      Asphalted roads	1957-81	14
      Canals, ditch network	1957-81	85
      Sidewalks	1957-85	32
      Bridges, temporary bridges	1957-85		5 ??????
      Squares			2 ??????
      Boulevards			1 ???????
      Cemeteries			4 ????????
      Street light network	1957-85	10.5
      Secondary School named after V.Lenin	1982		539.2
      Secondary School named after J. Bokonbaev	1970		456.3
      Secondary School named after N. Krupskaya	1978		136.7
      Bulak-Bashy Elementary School	2001		87.7
      Secondary School named after S.Ogato	1998		1122.0
      Kyzyl- Jol Secondary School	1936-76		266.6
      "Bazar-Bashy''TAP	1976		85.0
      Kyzyl- Jol FAP	1976		41.7
      "Oruk-Zar" kindergarten	1972		56.2
      "Altin-Beshik" kindergarten	1971		78.3
      "Vodokanal" utility	1961-84		1271.0
      Batken communalshik" JSC	1967		297.7
      City Central Stadium	1978		118.0
      Central culture park	1984		207.0
      Kyzyl- Jol SVA	1981
      Kyzyl- Jol bath house	1980		55.4
      Central boiler house	1976		1250.5

      7. NGOs AND ORGANIZATIONS, ESTABLISHED BY COMMUNITIES

      The city is divided into six district committees: Airport, Bazar - Bashy, Bulak - Bashy, Kelechek, Kyzyl-Don, and Kyzyl - Jol.

      Seven NGOs have been registered in the city: consumer right protection - 1, aid to children and invalids - 1, participants of the war in Afghanistan - 1, local self government development and support - 1, protection from violence in the family - 1, gender policy - 1, information and resource center - 1.

      There are five mosques in the city.

      There are 15 community organizations: 3 - in "Kyzyl - Don" district, 2 - in "Kelechek" district, one in each of the following districts - "Bulak - Bashy" and "Airport", and four in each of the remaining districts - "Kyzyl -Jol" and "Bazar - Bashy".

Purpose of Batken City Strategy Development and Action Plan on Strategy

Implementation

Purpose of the Strategy Development of Batken City and Action Plan (SDAP) on its implementation shall be development of complex policy oriented at Batken development till 2015. It covers all aspects to be considered as important ones for Batken and its residents and not only these ones, which are in competence of the City Kenesh. Thus, all interested community representatives including deputies of city Kenesh, employees of the City Kenesh, NGOs, Territorial Public Governments (TPG) and representatives of business structures were involved in work on SDAP actively. Problems and priorities of the city, as well as mechanisms of recourse mobilization for implementation of the city potential in whole capacity have been discussed.

Purpose of Strategy development is involvement of all organizations and persons in work for the public good with the object of joint vision development of the city prospects and coherent strategy of how could it be achieved.

SDAP is connected with Complex Development Fundamentals (CDF), National Strategy of Poverty Elimination (NSPE), National Decentralization Strategy and Further Development till 2015 and the Program of Social-Economic Development of Batken City.

Batken strategy is connected with the Plan of Practical Activities on its Realization. Thus, SDAP contains definite directions of priority activities, which should take place till 2015. It provides for general approach for development of annual budgets and work plans of the city, as well as a basis for cooperation and partnership with territorial associations, NGOs, business structures and other community groups.

The Process:

Community mobilization in the process of planning is a difficult tack requiring efforts of all interested parties. For a start we established an Organizational Committee including 10 the most active and interested people representing the City Kenesh, city Kenesh, managers of Batken services and business community. Organizational Committee was a so-called "brain trust" participating actively in work on SDAP preparation. In the process of work Organizational Committee was guided by the Secretariat consisting of employees of the City Kenesh and supported by our partner, - Urban Institute. Organizational Committee prepared the Profile of Batken City with the purpose of determination of existing situation in the city and served as an actual basis for planning.

By results of several meetings Organizational Committee prepared first draft of Batken Vision and Mission of Local Self Government (LSG), as well as preliminary Strategy scheme with the purpose of Vision realization. After that meetings were conducted with different groups of the population of the city: business community, NGOs, TPG, managers of city services, etc. These primary documents were improved considering comments and proposals from different organizations and interested persons, who devoted much time and gave attention to it. As a result, the 3rd Draft Strategy was prepared.

On October 26, 2004 with the purpose of further SDAP improvement Organizational Committee invited experts from Talas Oblast Administration, State Development Foundation under the Ministry of Finance, the Foundation For International Tolerance, Association of the Citys of Kyrgyzstan and the Public Foundation Batken Altyn Ordosu in order that based on their experience they could make a contribution in SDAP vision and provide for political and financial support.

Thereafter, the draft CSAP was discussed and approved at Kurultai on November 29, 2004. Recommendations and proposals were made by the participants of Kurultai, which have now been included into the final draft of the CSAP, which together with the list of priority investment projects. The final draft was approved by City Kenesh on December 7,2004.

With the aid of you it is necessary to involve all groups of the population of Batken for completion of Strategy development and realization.

Batken Vision is realistic and attainable for the period till 2015 and reflects priorities of all community segments:

BATKEN VISION AS OF 2015:

Compact, administrative-cultural and youth center of oblast level with apricot gardens, developed infrastructure, competitive small and middle sized enterprises, processing sector and modern architectural look Local Government Mission was sharply defined for achievement of this vision: this is not only provision of services to the residents, but active support of local economic development and involvement of local community in more close cooperation with the City Kenesh for achievement of this vision.

STRATEGY STRUCTURE (MAIN DIRECTIONS):

1. Strengthening the role and developing LG potential

2. Economic development

3. Social-cultural development

4. City infrastructure development and improvement

5. Prevention of natural disasters and environment improvement

On each of these major directions the Strategy contains several strategic objectives. Each of the objectives is closely connected with the list of practical actions under Action Plan, which are subject to be undertaken for its implementation. It covers actions of the City Kenesh and all other parties working independently or in collaboration with the City Kenesh. Detailed list of investment projects being an integral part of SDAP has been developed also.

STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT OF BATKEN CITY FOR 2004-2015

1. Strengthening the Role and Developing LG Potential		2. Economic Development
1.1. Strengthening the role of SLG		2.1. Stimulation of local economic development
1.2. Widening of LSG financial base		2.2 Development of Agriculture and processing industry
1.3. Municipal property
3. Social-Cultural Development	4. City Infrastructure Development and Improvement		5. Prevention of Natural Disasters and Environment Improvement
3.1. Improvement and increase of the services provided	4.1. Water supply system improvement		5.1. Ecological situation improvement
3.2. Health protection system improvement	4.2. Sewerage system and domestic hard waste control		5.2. Prevention of natural disasters
3.3. Solution of urgent problems of the population	4.3. City accomplishment
3.4. Education, culture and sport	4.4. Transport and roads
	4.5. Other issues related to infrastructure improvement

 

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