The pilot project to abolish people’s councils at district- and commune-levels has reaped positive results after over a year of performance, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Launched in April 2009 in 67 suburban districts, 32 urban districts and 483 wards of 10 cities and provinces throughout the country, the pilot project has initially helped reduce intermediary levels, simplify the apparatus, shorten the time needed for procedures and cut budget spending for the organisation and operation of people’s councils.
For example, the number of councillors at all levels in the central city of Da Nang has dropped from 1,340 to 452, while its yearly expenses for operation of people’s councils were cut by 7 billion VND.
The project also helped enhance the power, responsibility and activeness of people’s committees at the district- and commune-levels in managing socio-economic development activities.
They can now take direct orders from provincial people’s committees instead of having to wait for the people’s councils to approve the orders first.
The jurisdiction and responsibility of chairpersons of people’s committees at all levels have been strengthened, especially in approving planning schemes as well as in administrative and personnel affairs.
It is important to note that the right to mastery of residents in the localities where there are no grassroots-level people’s councils has been guaranteed and promoted via activities of National Assembly deputies, councillors of the provincial and municipal People’s Councils and representatives of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and political-social organisations at all levels.
New and concrete rules have been put in place to ensure the public can access information and voice their opinions on local issues as well as exercise their right to democracy. The targeted localities have paid due attention to receiving people and dealing with their denouncements, complaints and proposals.
Such districts as Thuy Nguyen in the northern port city of Hai Phong and Binh Chanh in the southern largest hub of Ho Chi Minh City have the initiative to hold monthly dialogues between local authorities and people.
The preliminary survey shows socio-economic development in the targeted localities has kept growing, while the number of poor households has dropped rapidly./.
Launched in April 2009 in 67 suburban districts, 32 urban districts and 483 wards of 10 cities and provinces throughout the country, the pilot project has initially helped reduce intermediary levels, simplify the apparatus, shorten the time needed for procedures and cut budget spending for the organisation and operation of people’s councils.
For example, the number of councillors at all levels in the central city of Da Nang has dropped from 1,340 to 452, while its yearly expenses for operation of people’s councils were cut by 7 billion VND.
The project also helped enhance the power, responsibility and activeness of people’s committees at the district- and commune-levels in managing socio-economic development activities.
They can now take direct orders from provincial people’s committees instead of having to wait for the people’s councils to approve the orders first.
The jurisdiction and responsibility of chairpersons of people’s committees at all levels have been strengthened, especially in approving planning schemes as well as in administrative and personnel affairs.
It is important to note that the right to mastery of residents in the localities where there are no grassroots-level people’s councils has been guaranteed and promoted via activities of National Assembly deputies, councillors of the provincial and municipal People’s Councils and representatives of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and political-social organisations at all levels.
New and concrete rules have been put in place to ensure the public can access information and voice their opinions on local issues as well as exercise their right to democracy. The targeted localities have paid due attention to receiving people and dealing with their denouncements, complaints and proposals.
Such districts as Thuy Nguyen in the northern port city of Hai Phong and Binh Chanh in the southern largest hub of Ho Chi Minh City have the initiative to hold monthly dialogues between local authorities and people.
The preliminary survey shows socio-economic development in the targeted localities has kept growing, while the number of poor households has dropped rapidly./.
