Continuing the program of the 9th extraordinary session of the 15th National Assembly, on the morning of February 13, the National Assembly discussed in groups the Draft Law on Government Organization (amended); the Draft Law on Organization of Local Government (amended); and the Draft Resolution of the National Assembly regulating the handling of a number of issues related to the arrangement of the state apparatus.
Speaking at the discussion in Group 1, General Secretary To Lam said that after listening to the opinions of the delegates, he felt the general atmosphere of excitement in the arrangement and streamlining of the apparatus. The policies on the arrangement of the apparatus organization have been agreed and supported by the people and the agencies of the National Assembly and are being implemented very quickly and very well. The positive signals show that this is a correct policy and also a long-awaited one of the people.
According to the General Secretary, streamlining the apparatus is not simply to save the budget. Saving is one factor, but more importantly, it is to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and performance of the state apparatus, creating a driving force for the country to develop more strongly.
The General Secretary pointed out two very important tasks among many tasks that must be done to achieve the above goal. First, there must be growth, thereby improving people's lives, satisfying the people's increasing needs in all aspects. This goal must be implemented consistently. It is impossible to say that the growth numbers are high but people's lives do not change, if so, where does the growth go?
The second is to streamline the organizational model and perfect the legal system to mobilize the strength of the whole society. Along with that is to arrange a team of officials to improve law enforcement.
"In this process, we have researched very carefully, from our country's history to international experience. Countries around the world always put the efficiency of the state apparatus first. If an agency does not operate effectively, the people will not trust it, forcing it to be reformed immediately," General Secretary To Lam emphasized.
Taking the example of the Ministry of Planning and Investment in streamlining its apparatus, the General Secretary emphasized that in reality, in the world today, only Vietnam and Laos maintain this ministry. The General Secretary added that after carefully studying the activities of the Ministry of Planning and Investment, he realized that this ministry is undertaking many tasks from planning, economic strategy to investment development... However, many of these tasks should have belonged to the Central Economic Committee.
In addition, the General Secretary also pointed out the overlap between the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Finance. "Foreign revenue and expenditure belong to the Ministry of Planning and Investment, while domestic revenue and expenditure belong to the Ministry of Finance. This is a shortcoming that needs to be comprehensively reviewed," the General Secretary pointed out.
According to the General Secretary, looking at the world, Singapore was just a small fishing village 50-60 years ago, but now, they have developed remarkably. At that time, Singaporeans had a dream of going to Cho Ray Hospital (HCMC) for medical examination, but later, on the contrary, we dreamed of going to this country for medical examination and treatment.
Compared to China, 40 years ago, the average income per capita of Vietnam and China was at 300-400 USD. But now, China's GDP per capita has reached 12,000-15,000 USD, while Vietnam's is only at 4,700 USD. This shows that our growth rate still faces many difficulties and requires stronger reforms to catch up.
