In early January the chairman of Medjlis on economy and social policy Byashim Annagurbanov provided the journalists with the following data: 9,6 billion manats ($3,3 billion) will be allotted from the state budget for expenditures of the 1^st level. Out of this money allotted for the social sphere, 39, 1% ($1,29 billion) will be channeled to education, 12,7% ($0,43 billion) to health care sector, 4,3% ($0,13 billion) to culture, 33,4% ($1.1. billion) to support the system of state social care, and 10,4% ($0,33 billion) to housing maintenance and utilities services.

Now let us look at the sums, which initially appeared on the official site «Turkmenistan - Golden Age», and deleted later. Yet, it took longer to delete them from the printed press, therefore it resulted in a delay to the delivery.

Fortunately, many websites managed to copy the initial variants of the published orders. The order that talked of dismantling the Arch of Neutrality and building a new «magnificent monument», indicated the sum of $217,8 mln. And this is approximately twice as much as the budgetary expenditures allotted for culture.

B. Annagurbanov has further said: «The state programme to drastically alter a the social and living conditions until 2020 foresees investments totaling $0,5 billion». In other words, $50 mln per year.

This sum is less than $57,1 mln - the sum allotted for the next exchange of the podium for the government, which is used twice a year for the conduct of parades. The sum for the podium exchange has also disappeared from the text of the order. Perhaps, in order not to upset the rural residents?

Why was it suddenly decided not to reveal these sums? Were they so sacred that the population would start comparing «necessary» and «unnecessary» expenses? Were they ashamed to do so?

Then why does the President have no scruples about allotting pieces of land to his close friends in the capital?

«The President of the country G. Berdymukhamedov signed a decree allowing the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan to obtain a piece of land of 2,2 hectare». It is an open secret that the head of the Union Dadayev Alexandr Akhadovich has business contacts with the President.

A similar document has been signed with regard to the Gyul Zaman company, which will build a garden center on the 2 hectare land in Ashgabat. This company belongs to the President`s assistant Khramov Viktor Mikhailovich.

Perhaps therefore it should not be surprising that Turkmenistan`s rate in the Index of economic freedom is sinking every year and now the country rates 171 out of 179. And the concept of «transparent economy» will be hardly implemented in Turkmenistan in the nearest future.