Kazakh Lawmaker Sounds Alarm on Lengthy Subsoil Licenses, Corruption Fears
Kazakh lawmaker Bakytzhan Bazarbek has raised concerns about the lengthy processing times for subsoil use licenses, with Vice Minister Iran Sharhan acknowledging the need for improvement. The debate comes as the Mazhilis considers amendments to the Subsoil and Subsoil Use Code.
Bazarbek, in an article titled 'First Come, First Served? A Lawmaker on the New Subsoil Use Amendments', highlighted that the current 20-working-day limit for license processing is often exceeded in practice. He noted that even rejecting an applicant can take this long, creating an environment ripe for corruption.
Sharhan admitted to the issue, stating that the ministry receives around 70 applications daily but has only two authorized staff members to handle them. This backlog, combined with the slow processing times, suggests a need for automation and increased staffing. Bazarbek has previously criticized the new regulations for being influenced by lobbyists, arguing that the current system effectively pushes applicants towards bribery.
The Mazhilis is currently debating amendments to address these issues. Sharhan has acknowledged the need to streamline the license issuance process, and Bazarbek's concerns about corruption and lobbyist influence are being considered. The outcome of these debates will shape the future of Kazakhstan's subsoil use regulations.
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