After the merger of Lao Cai and Yen Bai provinces, Lao Cai province only has a natural area of more than 13,256km2, a population of over 1.77 million people; of which ethnic minorities account for 57.6%. The whole province currently has 99 commune-level administrative units, with 47 communes in particularly difficult region III.
According to the Lao Cai Provincial Party Committee, the locality is one of the provinces that simultaneously implements two unprecedented major tasks, including merging provincial-level administrative units and operating the 2-level local government model according to the Central Government's policy of streamlining the apparatus.
After a year of implementation, the government apparatus at all levels basically operates stably and smoothly. 100% of provincial and commune-level agencies and units have fully consolidated key leadership and management positions.
Along with that, Lao Cai has resolved regimes and policies for 4,409 cadres, civil servants, and public employees affected by the arrangement of the organizational structure.
The province also sent 93 provincial-level officials, civil servants, and public employees to strengthen and assign them to grassroots levels to support localities in the initial stage of operating the new model.
Agencies and units after arrangement have reduced intermediate focal points, gradually overcoming the situation of overlapping functions and tasks; the organizational structure has been completed in the direction of streamlining, effectiveness, and efficiency.
State management in all fields is maintained continuously, without interruption. The settlement of administrative procedures for people and businesses continues to maintain a high rate of on-duty and ahead of schedule.
Notably, the province has cut about 30% of the time to resolve administrative procedures; the rate of dossiers received and processed on the electronic environment has increased sharply, contributing to reducing costs and time for people and businesses.
At the conference, Mr. Nguyen Tuan Anh - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the People's Committee of Lao Cai province - emphasized that the merger of the two provinces of Lao Cai - Yen Bai is a great determination to create a new development space, and at the same time put into operation a direct management model from the provincial to commune level.
According to leaders of Lao Cai province, after one year of implementation, the grassroots political system has been quickly consolidated, ensuring continuity, stability and operational efficiency. Decentralization and delegation of power continue to be promoted, gradually promoting the proactiveness and creativity of commune-level governments.
Many tasks previously under the district level have been transferred to the commune level, contributing to shortening the process of handling work and improving the efficiency of serving the people.
At the same time, the province also strengthens digital transformation in state administrative agencies, linking autonomy with the responsibility of heads, especially in the field of organizational structure and personnel.
At the conference, 44 collectives and 42 individuals with outstanding achievements in 1 year of operating the overall organizational model of the political system and the 2-level local government model were awarded Certificates of Merit by the Chairman of Lao Cai Provincial People's Committee.
