The development paradigm of the New Uzbekistan is based on the principle of "man - society - state"

The reform of society aimed at comprehensive modernization and socio-economic breakthrough cannot be imagined without liberalization and the formation of an effective system for the protection of human rights and freedoms. And it is quite natural that Uzbekistan's reforms pay great attention to the democratization of all aspects of society. Constitutional reform has become one of the steps towards achieving these goals. 

The amendments to the Basic Law of the country made following the results of the national referendum are extremely important for Uzbekistan. The Constitution serves as the foundation for all ongoing reforms. Thus, according to article 1 of the new version of the Constitution, the Republic of Uzbekistan is proclaimed a social state.  
In this context, it is advisable to consider the provisions of article 127 of the Basic Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan in a new version, which enshrines the guarantee of self-government of citizens, logically linked to the construction of a democratic and rule-of-law state in the New Uzbekistan, in which human rights and freedoms are ensured.
Thus, article 127 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan states: "Self-government bodies are gatherings of citizens in towns, villages and auls, as well as in mahallas of cities, towns, villages and auls, electing the chairman. Citizens' self-government bodies are not part of the system of state authorities and, in accordance with the law, have the right to independently resolve issues of local importance based on the interests of citizens, historical features of development, as well as national values, local customs and traditions. The State creates the necessary conditions for the implementation of the activities of citizens' self-government bodies, assists them in the exercise of powers defined by law. The procedure for elections, the organization of activities and the powers of citizens' self-government bodies are determined by law."  
Thus, the Constitution not only solemnly proclaims the existence of institutions of self-government of citizens, but also fully expresses the legal guarantee that ensures the development of popular initiative with a high degree of freedom of choice. It is noteworthy that these guarantees are reflected in the entire content of the Constitution in the new edition.  
In turn, article 36 of the Basic Law states: "Citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan have the right to participate in the management of the affairs of society and the state both directly and through their representatives. Such participation is carried out through self-government, referendums and the democratic formation of State bodies, as well as public control over the activities of State bodies." Self-government of citizens is a manifestation of the power of the people, who must act independently in solving issues of local importance, based on the interests of the population, historical and other local customs and traditions. 
Self-government of citizens is one of the foundations of the democratic system of the New Uzbekistan. It is not only recognized, but also guaranteed by the Constitution and laws, which can serve as general political, moral, ethical, economic, legal, organizational and other guarantees of citizens' self-government. By consolidating this article, the State undertakes to support and protect the development of citizens' self-government bodies.    
According to article 83 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the administrative-territorial structure of the Republic consists of regions, districts, cities, towns, villages, villages, as well as the Republic of Karakalpakstan. In turn, the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On the administrative-territorial structure of the Republic of Uzbekistan", adopted by the President on August 28, 2020, established the following basic concepts:
• cities of regional subordination - settlements with a population, as a rule, of at least seven thousand people, with industrial enterprises and developed infrastructure;
• districts are administrative-territorial units within the regions of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, consisting, as a rule, of cities, towns, villages and villages; 
• districts in cities - parts of the territories of cities with the status of administrative-territorial units, as a rule, with a population of at least twenty thousand people, consisting of gatherings of citizens (mahallas);
• settlements - settlements with a population, as a rule, of at least two thousand people, located near industrial enterprises, railway stations and other important facilities, consisting of gatherings of citizens (mahallas);
• villages and villages are settlements located on the territory of districts, consisting of gatherings of citizens (mahallas).
The ideas "In the name of human honor and dignity" and "The State for people" formed the basis of the Development Strategy of the New Uzbekistan for 2022-2026. And, as President Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted, today the concept of human honor and dignity is not something abstract and grandiloquent. "When we talk about this, we mean, first of all, ensuring the peaceful and safe life of every citizen, his fundamental rights and freedoms. To achieve this goal, we have set ourselves the task of effectively using the capabilities of the mahalla institute, a unique democratic structure in the world, and further expanding its powers in order to eventually turn the mahalla into a crucial link in our society. If there is peace in the mahalla, it will be peaceful in the country. If the mahalla is well-maintained, then the whole country will be well-maintained," the head of state said at an expanded meeting on the implementation of the Development Strategy of New Uzbekistan for 2022-2026, held on January 26 last year.   
The development strategy of the New Uzbekistan defines 100 goals in the name of human honor and dignity, the first of which implies increasing the effectiveness of the mahalla institute, turning it into a basic link of public administration and control. Tasks such as expanding the powers of the mahallas and strengthening their financial independence in order to solve the socio-economic problems of the territories directly on the ground; ensuring the participation of citizens in the life of their mahalla and direct dialogue between government agencies and mahallas; digitalization of processes aimed at working with the population in mahallas; creation of a system of contacting all state bodies from mahallas, provision of state and social services directly in mahallas; strengthening the system of state support, taking into account the identification of "growth points" of mahallas and specialization in entrepreneurial activities of the population living in mahallas.    
Historically, in Uzbekistan, citizens' self-government bodies have played a very important role in the development of society, acting as a unifying and integrating element. They have always actively participated in the development and implementation of socio-economic development programs at the local level, held public hearings where citizens could express their suggestions and ideas to improve life in their area. Basically, their mission was to create conditions for citizens to participate in making decisions concerning their own well-being.    
When the population elects self-governing bodies of citizens, it entrusts them with solving issues of local importance on its behalf. At the same time, citizens' self-government bodies must constantly take into account the opinion of the population. The norm in question of the Basic Law of the Republic provides that it is mandatory for citizens' self-government bodies to take into account the opinion of the population and inform them about the decision taken. It is important to note here that citizens' self-government bodies are not part of the system of state authorities and, in accordance with the law, have the right to independently resolve issues of local importance based on the interests of citizens. This creates the involvement of the inhabitants of the country in the development of their place of residence, increases the level of civic responsibility of everyone.     
With the growing authority of citizens' self-government bodies in the country, the regulatory framework has significantly transformed. Thus, the decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On measures to radically improve the system of work with youth in mahallas" dated January 19, 2022 introduced the position of youth leader in each mahalla of cities, towns, villages and auls, whose tasks include organizing effective work with youth and meaningful organization of free time for youth in mahallas. And in order to raise the system of working with families, women and representatives of the older generation to a new level, further improve support for mahallas, effective organization of activities and ensuring interaction of persons responsible for the work of Mahallabai, on March 1, 2022, the President signed a Decree "On measures to improve the system of working with families and women, support for mahallas and senior generations."     
In order to bring the mahallabai system to a new level and attract additional funds for the implementation of new social projects by increasing the collection rates of personal property tax and land tax from individuals, the President signed a decree "On additional measures to expand the financial capabilities of mahallas through the introduction of the Mahalla Budget system" dated December 26, 2022. Also, since this year, citizens have been able to distribute 30 percent of the additional revenues of the regional budget (previously only district and city), and funds for the infrastructure of mahallas are distributed only through initiative budgeting.     
The large-scale reforms initiated by the President in the country have brought the activities of citizens' self-government bodies to a new level. The special importance of citizens' self-government bodies in the life of the people and the state is determined by the need to increase their role in the ongoing large-scale reforms. It is in the territories of citizens' self-government bodies that, in most cases, a common opinion is formed on topical issues of political, economic and cultural life, and the rules of behavior of people in society are determined.