This Law establishes the legal basis for the implementation of local self-government, the procedure for formation and activity, the powers of local self-government bodies, their officials, members, and regulates interaction with state authorities. The system of local self-government is formed by Gengeshes and bodies of territorial public self-government. Gengeshes are representative bodies, whose members are elected by citizens of Turkmenistan living in the respective administrative-territorial units, on the basis of universal, equal and direct suffrage by secret ballot for a period of five years. The procedure for holding elections of members of the Gengesh is determined by the Constitution of Turkmenistan and the Electoral Code of Turkmenistan. Territorial public self-government bodies are a non-membership community of capable individuals on a voluntary basis, without forming a legal entity, the purpose of which is to jointly solve various social problems aimed at meeting the needs of the population in the relevant territory. Bodies of local self-government are not included in the system of state authorities. Citizens of Turkmenistan living in the respective administrative-territorial units exercise local self-government by participating in local referendums, elections, meetings, as well as through elected bodies or meetings of local self-government. Citizens, regardless of nationality, skin color, gender, origin, property and official status, place of residence, language, attitude to religion, political opinions or other circumstances, have equal rights to exercise local self-government directly or through their elected representatives. Foreign citizens, stateless persons permanently or predominantly residing in the relevant territory may participate in local self-government in accordance with the legislation of Turkmenistan. Local self-government bodies are independent within their powers and exercise the powers established by the legislation in the relevant territory. Intervention in the activities of local self-government bodies in matters related to their powers is not allowed. The powers of the Gengesh include: (a) determination of measures for the rational use of natural resources and environmental protection; (b) improvement of places of collective gardening, recreation areas and beaches; (c) organization of public utility facilities for the population (water supply, including potable water supply for the population, gas pipeline, sewerage, energy and heat supply systems, reservoirs, wells, baths and others); and (d) public catering, including school feeding.