These are exchanges with Associate Professor, Dr. Ngo Tri Long - an economic expert in an interview with Lao Dong Newspaper.
Recently, an incident occurred in Kien Thanh commune and Kien Duc town (Dak R'lap district) that owed hundreds of millions of VND in rice and stationery to a number of businesses in the area. What is your assessment of this incident?
First of all, it must be affirmed that the fact that commune and town-level administrative agencies have owed people money for food and stationery for many years as reported by Lao Dong Newspaper - can be a manifestation of violating financial and budgetary discipline, even showing signs of abusing position and power in performing official duties.
Here, it is not just a matter of "paying or not paying" a few hundred million VND, but it is necessary to clarify the responsibility of individuals and organizations involved in each stage: Who is the person signing the contract to buy goods and services (such as providing meals, stationery)? Is there proper authority? Who approves budget expenditure, who is responsible for accounting and treasury? Is there an estimate, a source of expenditure, and a settlement? If there is no budget but still commit to spending, it is clearly a violation of regulations on public financial management according to the 2015 State Budget Law and the Guiding Circulars of the Ministry of Finance.
In your opinion, how should this case be handled to regain the people's trust?
The fact that communes and towns such as Kien Thanh and Kien Duc (Dak R'lap district, Dak Nong province) have been reported to have owed hundreds of millions of VND in rice and stationery to people for many years is not only a manifestation of violating public financial principles, but also reflects loopholes in public service responsibility and budget spending supervision mechanisms at the grassroots level.
In my opinion, to regain the people's trust, the first thing is to publicize all the results of verification and handling of officials who have violated the law - including the name, position, level of violation, individual and collective responsibility, as well as specific handling forms according to the provisions of law and the Party.
I agree with the direction of the Dak Nong Department of Home Affairs dated June 5, 2025 on urgently reporting to the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee on specific cases. However, it is important that the handling results do not stop at the form of " scoring experience" - which easily makes the public suspicious and creates a bad precedent. It is necessary to have disciplinary measures such as warning, dismissal or job transfer for officials who have serious violations, especially in cases of intentional delay and evasion of payment.
At the same time, I propose that the Dak Nong Provincial People's Committee publicize the list of localities with outstanding debts, total debts, and payment commitment roadmaps. According to the latest report from Lao Dong Newspaper (June 9, 2025), some localities have contacted business households to pay or finalize the debt repayment deadline. This is a positive signal, but it is necessary to monitor the implementation of commitments and update public progress through the Provincial Electronic Information Portal for people to easily follow.
In addition to handling individuals, it is also necessary to review and complete the approval and disbursement process at the commune level. It is possible to consider stipulating that regular expenses - such as food and stationery - must have a guaranteed source before signing.
To protect the reputation of the government apparatus, ensure financial discipline and the trust of the people, this case cannot be ended by " repaying the debt is done". It is necessary to clarify the specific responsibilities of each individual, make financial processes transparent and propose institutional improvement from the district to commune level.
What regulations are needed to prevent similar incidents from happening?
The situation of some communes and towns in Dak R'lap district (Dak Nong) owing people's money for food and stationery - considered "petty debt" - actually reflects worrying loopholes in public financial management at the grassroots level. When small debts are not fully resolved for many years, the consequences do not stop at the financial aspect but also affect the reputation, discipline and trust in the local government apparatus.
To completely overcome this situation, it is necessary to strengthen financial inspection at the commune level: Require annual periodic inspections with regular expenditure reports and publicize results. Re-train commune finance and accounting officers on the process of making estimates, controlling expenditures, and paying in accordance with the provisions of the Budget Law and the Accounting Law.
Apply strict budget discipline. Expenditures not included in the budget estimate, or exceeding the budget estimate but not approved by competent authorities, must be subject to administrative sanctions or disciplinary action against the responsible officer.
Thank you!
