On 29 February, 2020 the officials from local administrations in etraps (districts of Turkmenistan) held meetings with local elders in an attempt to explain “temporary” deficit of groceries and called on them not to believe “false” publications of overseas media outlets.
For instance, such meetings were held in etraps of Garashsyzlyk, Chardjou and Sayat of Lebap velayat.The meetings brought together heads of farming associations and the elders, including those who greeted the President and attended the opening ceremony of the new mosque in Turkmenabad.
It appears that the administration expects that the rural residents will listen to respected individuals and trust their authority.
Khyakims (heads) of etraps and their deputies in some districts informed those in attendance that because of the spread of coronavirus, Turkmenistan, like many other countries across the globe, is experiencing “temporary” economic problems and a shortage of groceries.
According to the administration officials, the government in Ashgabat is working strenuously to address this problem and is holding negotiations with Uzbekistan and Tajikistan on the supply of onions to Turkmenistan while potatoes will be imported from Russia.
The officials promised that the supply will be streamlined in a short term perspective to overcome the deficit but they failed to inform even the approximate time-frame.
The representatives of law enforcement agencies who also attended the meeting, in their turn, called on the residents to ignore the reports of some foreign media outlets and publications posted in social media which contain “false, slanderous information disgracing our country”.
It was promised that those who disseminate such reports and “spread panic” will be “held accountable”.Those in attendance were urged to urgently submit reports on those disseminating negative rumours to the law enforcement authorities.
Wrapping up the speech, the officials gave locals the opportunity to ask their questions.
According to one of the meeting attendees, the officials tried to appease people but the effect was the opposite the public asked few specific questions and expressed their discontent, especially with the shortage of bread and flour.