The state run agency TDH reports that on 18 January, 2022 President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov signed a decree ordering to hold an ad-hoc meeting of the Halk Maslahaty, the upper chamber of Turkmen Parliament on 18 February.
The meeting will be held online in the course of which the participants will discuss the plans for Turkmenistan’s development for the next 30 years.
Until 2020 the Halk Maslahaty (People’s Council) performed the role of an advisory representative body, members of which approved the most important Constitutional reforms.After the Constitutional reform and a subsequent transformation the Parliament into two-chamber, the upper chamber, which is comprised of 56 members, is now referred to the Halk Maslahaty.
In violation of the Constitution, the chamber is headed by the incumbent President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov.
After the parliamentary reform People’s Council in its previous format ceased to exist. However, correspondents of “Chronicles of Turkmenistan” report that despite this, not only official members of the Halk Maslahaty but also the elders, veterans of labour, mothers of many children and other “respected” individuals will be invited to attend.
The elders, veterans and mothers of many children selected for the session of the Halk Maslahaty will receive retirement and other allowances for two months. For instance, in Farap, Seidi and Dyanev retirement allowances have already been paid.
Deputy khyakims of velayats overseeing culture and mass media have been instructed to hold awareness-raising meetings with future participants of the event. Officials are obliged to present the agenda and explain code of conduct and logistics of the trip. The elders are strongly recommended to use deodorants to “neutralize” body odour.
Local departments of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security are obliged to provide the participants with national dress. Expenses related to transportation, accommodation and meals will be covered by khyakims of the velayats. Medical examination and COVID-19 testing will be performed by regional offices of the Ministry of Healthcare and Medical Industry.
It is expected that at the session the head of state will announce his son Serdar his successor.The post Elders to participate in an ad-hoc session of the Halk Maslahaty first appeared on Chronicles of Turkmenistan.