JOINT CIRCULAR No. 01/2003/TTLT/BKH-BTC guiding the implementation of Decision No. 42/2002/QD-TTg dated March 19, 2002 of the Prime Minister on the management and operation of national target programs.

CIRCULAR

JOINT CIRCULAR OF THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND INVESTMENT - THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE
NO. 01/2003/TTLT-BKH-BTC DATE JANUARY 6, 2003 GUIDING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF DECISION NO. 42/2002/QD-TTg DATE MARCH 19, 2002 OF
THE PRIME MINISTER ON MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS
NATIONAL TARGET PROGRAMS

    

Pursuant to Decision No. 71/2001/QD-TTg dated May 4, 2001 of the Prime Minister on National Target Programs for the period 2001-2005

Pursuant to Decision No. 42/2002/QD-TTg dated March 19, 2002 of the Prime Minister on management and operation of National Target Programs

The Joint Ministries  of Planning and Investment and Finance guide the management and operation of National Target Programs  as follows:

    

PART I
PLANNING WORK FOR NATIONAL TARGET PROGRAMS
National target programs planning includes the following steps:

 

- Proposing programs and projects;

- Developing programs and projects;

- Reviewing and approving programs and projects;

- Implementing programs and projects;

- Monitoring, inspecting, and evaluating the implementation of programs and projects;

I. PROPOSAL OF NATIONAL TARGET PROGRAMS

 

Ministries, sectors, and central agencies, based on the criteria of national target programs stipulated in Article 3 of Decision No. 42/2002/QD-TTg, propose to the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Finance a list of national target programs (hereinafter referred to as NTPs) of their respective sectors for the planning period. This work is carried out during the guidance phase for plan development (April and May each year).

The main contents of the proposal document for NTPs include:

1- The necessity to address the issue through NTPs.

2- General objectives of the program.

3- Estimated time frame for implementing the program.

4- Geographic area where the program will be implemented.

5- Preliminary determination of the total budget for the program, divided by sources of funding.

6- Preliminary calculation of the affected population, beneficiaries, and effectiveness of the program.

7- International cooperation (if applicable).

8- Proposal of the managing agency, coordinating agencies, and implementing agencies for the program and projects.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, compiles and selects the list of NTPs proposed by ministries, sectors, and central agencies, and proposes the managing agency to the Prime Minister for consideration and submission to the National Assembly for approval together with the annual and five-year plans. After being approved by the National Assembly, the managing agency of the NTPs proactively develops the programs and projects, coordinating with the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Finance, and relevant ministries, sectors, and localities.

During the period 2001-2005, the Prime Minister has approved the list of NTPs at Decision No. 71/2001/QD-TTg dated May 4, 2001, therefore no additional NTPs should be proposed for the period 2001-2005.

II. DEVELOPMENT OF NATIONAL TARGET PROGRAMS

 

The development of NTPs is carried out concurrently with the development of annual and five-year plans. The content of the NTP document includes:

1. Basis for developing NTPs:

1.1. Determining the objective requirements necessitating the formation of the program, including:

- Analysis and evaluation of the current situation in the field that the NTP will address.

- Reference to economic and social data and key indicators over several years to assess the trend of the issue the program aims to resolve.

1.2. Comparison of indicators between regions, areas, and internationally to determine the urgency of the issues to be resolved.

1.3. Social issues that the Government of Vietnam has committed to internationally.

2. Objectives of NTPs:

2. Objectives of the National Target Program:

The objectives of the National Target Program must be within the overall strategy for national socio-economic development. The National Target Program may have one or several objectives, but these objectives must be clear, quantifiable, and easy to calculate, monitor, and evaluate. Short-term and long-term objectives can be distinguished at the end of the National Target Program.

3. Duration of the National Target Program:

Is the time required to achieve the program's objectives. This period must be limited, usually five years.

4. Scope of Activities of the National Target Program:

The scope of activities of the entire program and each project is the direct impact limit of the program and projects on which industry, field, region, or the whole country.

5. Necessary Measures to Ensure Implementation of the National Target Program:

5.1. Financial Solutions:

- Financial solutions of the National Target Program include determining measures to ensure the total capital needed to implement the program's objectives. The total capital is calculated based on the capital of each project throughout the implementation period and annually.

- Sources of capital for the National Target Program include:

a) State budget capital (including ODA loans and aid funds)

b) Domestic credit.

c) Community mobilized capital (including both money, goods, and labor days)...

These sources of capital must clearly state the measures for mobilization, loaning methods, repayment, and analysis of effectiveness; while distinguishing central and local capital; construction investment capital and operating capital.

5.2. Human Resource Solutions:

- Includes solutions to ensure sufficient human resources for implementing the National Target Program, including management and implementation stages.

- Calculating management costs, training costs, including foreign expert hiring costs (if applicable).

5.3. Solutions Regarding Materials, Raw Materials, Equipment, Machinery:

- Describing the selected technology's economic and technical characteristics, assessing suitability, advantages, and limitations;

- Sources of technology, equipment, machinery supply, and reasons for selection (priority given to domestically produced goods);

- List, price list of major equipment and procurement methods (domestic or international bidding)...

6. Effectiveness of the National Target Program:

When building and evaluating the implementation of the National Target Program, managing agencies must determine the program's results through indicators and indices regarding economic and social benefits, beneficiaries from project outcomes, environmental issues, and enhancing the management capacity of staff involved in implementing the program and projects.

7. Proposals and Recommendations for Mechanisms and Policies to Implement the National Target Program:

Specific policies applied to the National Target Program and integration of similar activities with other National Target Programs (if applicable).

7.1. Integration of Similar Activities with Other National Target Programs.

Managing agencies are responsible for proposing the integration of similar activities with other National Target Programs (if applicable) and models, mechanisms for implementation.

7.2. International Cooperation Issues for the National Target Program (if applicable).

If there is cooperation with international organizations or foreign organizations for the implementation of the National Target Program, the managing agency must clearly state the purpose, content, form of cooperation, and resources of participating parties (foreign side and Vietnamese Government side), as well as the timeframe for implementation and issues requiring government approval.

7.3. Mechanisms and Policies Needed to Be Enacted for Program Implementation.

8. Management and Execution of the National Target Program:

8.1 Establishing a Program Management Board by the managing agencies of the National Target Program. The composition and operational regulations of the Program Management Board are decided by the head of the managing agency.

8.2 For particularly important National Target Programs with inter-sectoral nature, the Program Steering Committee should have members from relevant ministries, sectors, and central agencies. The composition and operational regulations of this Program Steering Committee are decided by the Prime Minister based on the proposal of the agency assigned to manage the program.

The Program Office assists the Program Steering Committee.

9. Monitoring, Inspection, Supervision, and Evaluation of the National Target Program's Implementation:

9.1 Determining a system of indicators reflecting the implementation of the program and projects, including input and output indicators and indices on the impact of the program and projects.

9.2 Determining the information collection and reporting system on the implementation of the program and projects. Plans for monitoring, inspection, supervision, and evaluation of the implementation of each project and the entire program, including timing, implementing agencies, content, criteria for monitoring, inspection, supervision, and evaluation, report forms, schedules, and receiving agencies.

10. Projects within the National Target Program.

Projects within the National Target Program are established to address specific objectives or groups of objectives of the program within a specific timeframe and geographical area.

For projects funded by the State Budget, the following basic contents must be included:

(1) Project name,

(2) Project management agency, implementing agency, coordinating agency.

(3) Objectives and main contents of the project:

- General situation, reasons, and necessity of the project.

- Determining specific project objectives in relation to the overall objectives of the National Target Program.

- Determining the project's main content and tasks.

(4) Project implementation solutions:

- Specific plans and locations for implementing the project;

- Financial requirements, categorized by funding source and expenditure items;

- Recommendations on mechanisms and policies for project implementation, including details and integration mechanisms (if applicable);

- Organizational management model and operational mechanism.

(5) Project implementation period: Start and end dates.

(6) Beneficiaries of the project, estimated economic and social benefits of the project.

(7) Plan for implementing the project's main activities divided by year.

For the National Target Programs that have been approved pursuant to Decision No. 71/2001/QĐ-TTg dated May 4, 2001 of the Prime Minister, it is necessary to develop detailed annual plans regarding objectives, tasks, and financial requirements.

  

III. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF NATIONAL TARGET PROGRAMS

 After completing the drafting of the National Target Program document, the program management agency shall submit it to the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, and the Ministry of Finance. The Ministry of Planning and Investment shall take the lead in coordinating with relevant ministries, sectors, and central agencies to review the program and present it to the Prime Minister for consideration and decision.

1. Documents for reviewing the National Target Program include:

- The request for review of the National Target Program from the program management agency;

- The National Target Program document approved by the program management agency;

- Draft Decision of the Prime Minister approving the National Target Program;

- Comments from relevant ministries, sectors, central agencies, and localities;

- Other necessary related documents (if any).

The Ministry of Planning and Investment shall take the lead in coordinating with relevant ministries, sectors, central agencies, and localities to review the National Target Program, prepare a review report, draft Decision of the Prime Minister approving the National Target Program, and submit it to the Prime Minister for consideration and decision.

The review period for the National Target Program shall not exceed 45 days from the date of receipt of valid documents.

The review of projects within each National Target Program shall be decided by the Program Director according to current regulations. If the project belongs to Group A, a complete dossier shall be submitted to the Ministry of Planning and Investment for review and submission to the Prime Minister for approval. If the project belongs to Group B, the Minister of the program management agency and project management agency shall approve it.

2. The review of the National Target Program focuses on the following points:

- Objectives of the program: reviewed and compared with the overall economic and social development tasks of the country;

- Scope of implementation and beneficiaries of the program;

- Total capital of the program; capital structure; capital of component projects;

- Implementation solutions of the program including resource solutions and financial balance capabilities;

- Duration of the program;

- Results and socio-economic effectiveness of the program;

- Organization of program implementation;

During the review, the number of objectives, the number, and content of projects within the program will be examined and agreed upon.

3. Draft Decision of the Prime Minister approving the National Target Program.

The main contents of the Decision include:

- Determining the full name of the National Target Program and the program management agency;

- Objectives and tasks of the National Target Program;

- Time and location of program implementation, key milestones;

- Total capital and source structure, including state budget investment in the program;

- Responsibilities of agencies involved in implementing the program;

- Mechanisms and policies for implementing the program;

- Achieved effectiveness of the program.

 

IV. AMENDMENT OF THE CONTENT OF NATIONAL TARGET PROGRAMS

Amendments to the content of National Target Programs shall be carried out in accordance with Article 8 of Decision No. 42/2002/QĐ-TTg and specific provisions as follows:

1. During the implementation process, if it is deemed necessary to change the content of the National Target Program, the program management agency must submit a written proposal to amend the program content to the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Finance (in July and August each year) to ensure that the amended content of the program and projects will be implemented from the beginning of the next year.

2. The Ministry of Planning and Investment shall take the lead in coordinating with the Ministry of Finance to review the content of the proposal to amend the program submitted by the program management agency and submit it to the Prime Minister for approval (within 30 days from the date of receipt of the document).

3. After the amendment content of the National Target Program has been approved by the Prime Minister, the program management agency shall adjust the content of the program's projects to ensure that the project objectives are within the allocated budget (within 30 days).

 V. INTEGRATION OF SIMILAR ACTIVITIES OF NATIONAL TARGET PROGRAMS

The integration of similar activities of National Target Programs shall be carried out right from the stage of compiling and allocating annual plan indicators at the provincial level. Based on the total capital of National Target Programs and the objectives and tasks assigned by the Prime Minister to be implemented in the locality, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee shall coordinate and integrate similar activities of National Target Programs in the same locality; allocate objectives, tasks, and funds according to the objectives and tasks of each National Target Program and assign plans to districts, counties, and project owners to implement; assign responsibilities to specialized departments to organize the operation of districts, counties, and project owners to implement the objectives and tasks of National Target Programs in the locality. The requirement for integration is to comply with the implementation of the objectives and tasks of each National Target Program, ensuring the principle that each sector does its work and directing the activities of National Target Programs towards the priority objects and areas.

 

PART II
FINANCIAL MECHANISM FOR NATIONAL TARGET PROGRAMS 

I. PLANNING OF RESOURCES FOR NATIONAL TARGET PROGRAMS  

1. Annually, in accordance with the guidelines for planning issued by the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Finance, ministries, sectors, central agencies, and localities implementing National Target Programs must evaluate the implementation situation of the previous year, propose the demand for the annual plan, and suggest changes to project objectives when they are deemed unsuitable and inconsistent with the actual situation of the locality (if any) to the program management agency, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, and the Ministry of Finance.

2. Based on the five-year and annual objectives of National Target Programs, the program management agency shall evaluate the implementation situation of the program in the previous year, compile the demand for resources for the program's annual plan, including state budget capital (domestic capital, foreign loans and aid, and divided according to investment capital and operating capital), domestic credit, community-raised capital, and submit them to the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Finance.

3. After receiving the requirements from the program management agency, ministries, sectors, central agencies, and localities, the Ministry of Planning and Investment shall take the lead in coordinating with the Ministry of Finance to compile the tasks and objectives of the National Target Programs and propose resources to ensure the achievement of the objectives and tasks of the National Target Programs during the planning period for submission to the Prime Minister for consideration and to the National Assembly for approval.

  

II. ALLOCATION OF FUNDS AND ASSIGNMENT OF PLANS FOR NATIONAL TARGET PROGRAMS

1. Allocation of funds for National Target Programs:

Based on the total budget allocated by the competent authority, the program management agency shall take the lead in coordinating with the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Finance to draft the budget allocation plan for each project and detail it for ministries, sectors, central agencies, and provinces and centrally-administered cities in accordance with the approved objectives and tasks (in cases where there are still differing opinions regarding the specific structure and amount of capital for implementing units, the opinion of the program management agency shall be decisive).

The results of the allocation of objectives, tasks, and budgets for National Target Programs shall be submitted to the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Finance for consolidation into the general budget of ministries, sectors, central agencies, and provinces and centrally-administered cities for submission to the Prime Minister for decision.

2. Assignment of targets and plans for National Target Programs.

2.1. The Prime Minister assigns to ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government agencies, central agencies, and the Chairpersons of Provincial People's Committees and centrally-administered city People's Committees the following indicators:

- Total budget for all National Target Programs, including development investment capital and operating expenses;

- Objectives and tasks of each National Target Program implemented in their respective areas.

2.2. Responsibility for allocating the budget estimate for National Target Programs.

For ministries, sectors, and central agencies: Based on the budget estimate assigned by the Prime Minister and the guidance of the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Planning and Investment, they shall proceed to allocate and assign tasks, objectives, and budgets to implementing units, submit to the Ministry of Finance for review as required, and serve as the basis for budget disbursement.

For provinces and centrally-administered cities: Annually, based on the total budget estimate and the objectives and tasks of National Target Programs assigned by the Prime Minister, they shall mobilize local resources according to the law to supplement the implementation of National Target Programs. The provincial and city People's Committees shall coordinate, integrate, and allocate budgets for each objective and task of National Target Programs implemented in their respective areas (including development investment capital and operating expenses) for submission to the Provincial People's Councils and centrally-administered city People's Councils for approval together with the annual budget estimate approval process.

3. Mechanism for budget disbursement and settlement for National Target Programs.

3.1. Budgets for implementing National Target Programs are balanced within the central government's expenditure budget estimate issued by the Ministry of Finance to ministries, sectors, and central agencies to carry out the tasks of National Target Programs managed by the central level and supplemented with targeted funding for provinces and centrally-administered cities to implement the objectives and tasks of National Target Programs managed by the local level.

The disbursement, management, and settlement of budgets for National Target Programs shall be carried out in accordance with the State Budget Law and current guiding documents.

Specifically, new state budget capital allocated for lending to address employment issues shall be provided for lending in accordance with Decree No. 78/2002/ND-CP dated October 4, 2002 of the Government on credit for the poor and other policy beneficiaries.

3.2. Expenditure regulations for National Target Programs shall be implemented in accordance with the current financial expenditure regulations applicable to expenditures from state budget capital, borrowed capital, aid, credit capital, and special expenditure regulations of each program and project (if any).

 

PART III
DISTRIBUTION, DELEGATION OF MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF NATIONAL TARGET PROGRAMS

1. The Ministry of Planning and Investment:

- Serve as the focal point assisting the Government in managing and operating National Target Programs.

- Propose and select the list of National Target Programs to be submitted to the Government.

- Based on the five-year and ten-year socio-economic development directions of the State and proposals from ministries, sectors, central agencies, and localities, the Ministry of Planning and Investment shall coordinate with the Ministry of Finance to select and establish a list of National Target Programs, propose the program management agency, consolidate and submit to the Government for consideration to the National Assembly for approval of the list of National Target Programs to be implemented during the planning period.

- Take the lead in coordinating with the Ministry of Finance and relevant ministries, sectors, and central agencies to organize the assessment of National Target Programs and submit to the Prime Minister for approval.

- Take the lead in coordinating with the Ministry of Finance to propose the total budget estimate allocated for each specific National Target Program (including both operating expenses and development investment capital) for submission to the Government for consideration to the National Assembly for approval.

- Take the lead and coordinate with ministries, sectors, central agencies, and localities to develop a management and operation mechanism for National Target Programs for submission to the Prime Minister for issuance.

- Consolidate and report to the Prime Minister, and send to the Ministry of Finance, the situation of implementing National Target Programs quarterly, annually, and mid-term; identify any obstacles and shortcomings and propose timely measures to the Prime Minister for resolution.

- Participate with program management agencies in drafting and allocating program budgets according to tasks and objectives.

- Consolidate the investment development and operating budget allocation plans for National Target Programs proposed by program management agencies, report to the Prime Minister for consideration and decision.

- Consolidate the allocated budget sources for ministries, sectors, central agencies, and provinces and centrally-administered cities into the overall plan of ministries, sectors, and localities, and submit to the Prime Minister for decision.

- Provide information to program management agencies and localities on the direction of annual plan formulation for National Target Programs.

- Coordinate with ministries and sectors to organize inspections and supervision of the implementation of National Target Programs by ministries, sectors, central agencies, and localities.

2. Ministry of Finance:

- Coordinate with the Ministry of Planning and Investment to select and establish a list of National Target Programs, propose the program management agency, and propose the total budget allocation for National Target Programs (including both operating expenses and development investment capital).

- Participate with program management agencies in the allocation of funds for the program according to tasks and objectives.

- Compile funding allocation plans for implementing the National Target Programs into the annual budget estimates of ministries, central agencies, and localities to submit to the Prime Minister for decision-making, and to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly for approval.

- Disburse funds that have been balanced in the annual central government budget estimate to ministries, central agencies to implement the tasks and objectives of the National Target Programs managed by the central level; supplement funds with specific objectives for provinces and centrally-administered cities according to the funding allocation plans of the National Target Programs managed by provincial people's committees.

- Organize guidance, inspection, and supervision of the implementation of National Target Program funds by ministries, central agencies, and localities according to current financial regulations.

- Audit and report on the final accounts for the National Target Program funds in the State Budget final accounts prepared by central agencies.

- Aggregate the expenditure final accounts of the National Target Programs in the annual State Budget final accounts of ministries, central agencies, and localities to submit to the Government for submission to the National Assembly for approval.

3. For National Target Program management agencies:

- Take the lead and coordinate with ministries, sectors, and localities to organize the development of programs and projects according to assigned tasks (including adjustments to programs and projects when necessary), and send them to the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Finance for review, and submit to the Prime Minister for approval.

- Organize the approval of projects within the program, and submit projects exceeding authority to the Prime Minister for consideration and decision.

- Develop annual plans for implementing the program. This is the main responsibility of the program management agency and is carried out according to the following specific contents:

+ Each year, the program management agency is responsible for developing plans regarding tasks, objectives, funding needs, and proposed solutions to implement the program, and send them to the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Finance for consolidation and submission to the Government.

+ Based on the total funding amount for the program announced by the authorized body, the program management agency leads and coordinates with the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Finance to propose the allocation of program funds in terms of structure and specific capital allocation levels for ministries, sectors, central agencies, and provinces and centrally-administered cities, in line with approved objectives and tasks.

The results of capital allocation and the objectives and tasks of the programs are sent to the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Finance for consolidation into the general budgets of ministries, sectors, central agencies, and provinces and centrally-administered cities, and submitted to the Prime Minister for decision.

- Organize guidance for vertical agencies at the local level to cooperate with Provincial Departments of Planning and Investment and Provincial Departments of Finance and Prices to develop implementation plans for the program (including objectives, tasks, funding, policies and mechanisms, organizational measures, etc.) to be consolidated into the local socio-economic development plan.

- Establish a Program Steering Board to assist the head of the program management agency in organizing the implementation of the program; dissolve the Program Steering Board upon completion of the program.

The Program Steering Board Chair is a leader from a ministry or central agency; members include representatives with authority from planning, finance departments, and related departments. The operational rules of the National Target Program Steering Board are decided by the program management agency. The operating budget of the National Target Program Steering Board is allocated from the regular operating budget of the program management agency. The expenditure regulations of the National Target Program Steering Board are implemented according to the regulations of the Ministry of Finance.

- For National Target Programs of special importance, members from ministries and central agencies should participate in the Program Steering Board. The composition of the Program Steering Board and its operational rules are decided by the Prime Minister.

- Lead and coordinate with functional agencies to develop mechanisms, policies, and guide business practices for ministries, central agencies, and provinces and centrally-administered cities to have a basis for implementation.

- Coordinate with the Ministry of Finance to guide the content and expenditure regulations appropriate to each objective and task of the National Target Programs.

- Urge, inspect, and supervise the implementation of National Target Programs by ministries, sectors, central agencies, and provinces and centrally-administered cities. Report on the implementation of the program quarterly, annually, and mid-term according to unified regulations on content and forms.

- Guide and require provincial people's committees to fully and timely report on the implementation of National Target Programs according to common regulations.

4. Tasks of agencies assigned to manage and implement projects under the program.

In some National Target Programs, while the Prime Minister assigns a single agency to manage the entire program, certain projects are also assigned to other ministries and sectors to manage and implement; these ministries and sectors have the following responsibilities:

- Annually, based on the guidance of National Target Program management agencies, ministries develop plans to implement objectives and tasks, propose resources to implement the National Target Program projects assigned to them, and send these plans to the National Target Program management agency, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, and the Ministry of Finance for consolidation into the overall plan of the National Target Program.

- Organize the protection of annual project plans assigned to them with the National Target Program management agency, with the participation of the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Finance.

- On the basis of the total budget of the project announced by the competent authority, the project management agency shall take the lead in coordinating with the program management agency, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, and the Ministry of Finance to allocate the project's budget to the implementing units. (In cases where there are still differing opinions on the structure and specific capital allocation for the implementing units, the opinion of the project management agency shall be decisive). The results of the capital allocation and the objectives and tasks of the project shall be sent to the program management agency, and concurrently sent to the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Finance for consolidation into the central ministries' and agencies' and provincial budgets, to be submitted to the Prime Minister.

- Organize guidance for vertical agencies at local levels to coordinate with the Provincial Department of Planning and Investment and the Provincial Department of Finance and Prices to develop implementation plans for the project (including tasks, budget, policies, and organizational measures...) to be consolidated into the local socio-economic development plan.

- Depending on the nature and complexity of the project, a Project Management Board may be established to assist the head of the project management agency in organizing the implementation of the project. The project director may be a leader from a ministry, and members include representatives with authority from planning, finance departments, and other relevant departments. The operational regulations of the Project Management Board shall be stipulated by the head of the project management agency. The operating budget of the Project Management Board shall be allocated within the regular operating budget of the project management agency. Expenditure procedures shall be carried out according to the regulations of the Ministry of Finance.

- In addition to the allocated budget, it is permissible to mobilize other resources in accordance with the law to supplement the implementation of projects under the program; report to the program management agency (if applicable) on the level of mobilization and must carry out settlement according to current financial regulations (if directly using).

- Be responsible for the use of funds for assigned projects to ensure the intended purpose, effectiveness, and prevent loss.

- Report to the National Target Program Management Agency, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, and the Ministry of Finance on the implementation status of the National Target Programs managed and implemented by the Ministry according to the prescribed content, format, and time.

5. Tasks of the People's Committees of provinces and centrally-administered cities:

The Chairman of the People's Committee of the province or centrally-administered city is responsible for unified management of resources, directing, and organizing the implementation of the goals and tasks of National Target Programs operating in their jurisdiction, including the following contents:

- Establish a Steering Board for National Target Programs at the local level to assist the People's Committee of the province or centrally-administered city in management, planning, integration, and organizing the implementation of National Target Programs in their jurisdiction. The Head of the Steering Board is a member of the leadership of the People's Committee of the province or centrally-administered city. The Standing Office of the Steering Board is led by the leadership of the Provincial Department of Planning and Investment, and members are representatives of the leadership of relevant Provincial Departments and agencies. Each province or centrally-administered city shall establish only one Steering Board to comprehensively direct all National Target Programs implemented in their jurisdiction. The operational regulations of the Steering Board shall be decided by the People's Committee of the province or centrally-administered city. The operating budget of the Steering Board shall be guaranteed by the local budget. Expenditure procedures shall be carried out according to the regulations of the Ministry of Finance.

- Annually, based on the guidelines of the National Target Program management agencies, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, and the Ministry of Finance, the People's Committees of provinces and centrally-administered cities have the responsibility to build annual plans for National Target Programs (objectives, tasks, budget, organizational implementation measures) and send them to the project and program management agencies for consolidation into the project and program plans, which will then be sent to the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Finance for consolidation into the National Target Program plan.

- Organize the review and approval of projects of National Target Programs managed by the locality in accordance with current regulations.

- Organize the integration and coordination of resources of National Target Programs: Based on the characteristics, nature, and content of each program, along with the specific conditions of the locality, the People's Committees of provinces and centrally-administered cities organize the integration of projects managed by the locality right from the budget allocation stage to avoid overlap, reduce administrative layers, and concentrate resources on priority objectives.

- In addition to the central budget already allocated, it is necessary to mobilize local resources (including budget, labor days, and other material factors) to supplement the implementation of the program; report the additional budget level for each program (if applicable) to the program management agency, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, and must carry out settlement according to current financial regulations.

- Allocate targets and plans regarding objectives, tasks, and budgets of National Target Programs managed by the locality to project leaders and district and county People's Committees for implementation.

- Be responsible for the effective use of funds for National Target Programs according to the intended purpose, without loss, and be responsible for failing to achieve the objectives and tasks of National Target Programs operating in their jurisdiction due to improper use of funds.

- Report to the National Target Program management agency, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, and the Ministry of Finance on the implementation status of National Target Programs under their management in their jurisdiction according to the prescribed content, format, and time.

- Organize inspections and supervision of the implementation of programs at the grassroots level, mainly at commune and ward levels. Promptly correct democratic deficiencies in program implementation and strictly deal with cases of fund loss due to irresponsibility or corruption.

PART IV
REPORTING REGIME

1. Reporting on the budget allocation of National Target Programs:

- For Ministries, sectors, central agencies: Based on the budget estimate assigned by the competent authority, they must promptly allocate the budget estimate to subordinate units in accordance with the provisions of the State Budget Law to ensure that subordinate budget-using units receive the national target program budget estimate and the regular budget estimate before December 31 of the previous year; ensuring consistency in total amounts and details according to each allocated item, while consolidating the results of detailed budget allocations of Ministries, sectors, and central agencies and sending them to the Ministry of Finance for review as the basis for budget disbursement, no later than January 5 of the following year. In addition, Ministries, sectors, and central agencies must submit reports on the allocation of national target programs to the program management agency for monitoring.

The Ministry of Finance is responsible for reviewing the results of allocating the national target program budget estimates of Ministries, sectors, and central agencies. If there are issues inconsistent with the content of the budget estimates assigned by the competent authority, it shall require the unit to adjust accordingly. Within 15 days of receiving the report on the allocation of budget estimates from the units, if the Ministry of Finance does not provide comments, the results of the budget allocation of the unit will be considered accepted.

- For provincial People's Committees under the Central Government: Based on the total budget estimate of national target programs assigned by the Prime Minister, provincial People's Committees under the Central Government shall carry out coordination, integration, and allocation of funds for each goal and task of national target programs implemented within their jurisdiction, clearly distinguishing between central government budget funds and local fundraising to serve as the basis for budget disbursement along with the allocation of local budget estimates to be submitted to the Provincial People's Councils under the Central Government for approval. The results of the allocation of national target programs shall be sent to the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, and the program management agency no later than five days after being approved by the Provincial People's Councils under the Central Government.

2. Report on the implementation of national target programs:

Ministries, sectors, central agencies, and localities have the responsibility to report on the implementation of national target programs to the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, and the program management agency.

Periodic reports include quarterly reports, annual reports, and mid-term reports (mid-term reports apply to national target programs with a duration of five years, conducted halfway through the program implementation period) according to specified forms and timeframes.

- Ministries, sectors, central agencies, agencies assigned to manage and implement projects of national target programs, and provincial People's Committees under the Central Government have the responsibility to report on the implementation of national target programs (including quantities, tasks, and funds implemented during the period) to the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Finance, and the program management agency (the portion related to funds is the responsibility of the program management agency to monitor the implementation).

- Program management agency: Based on the reports from provincial People's Committees under the Central Government, Ministries, sectors, central agencies, and agencies assigned to manage and implement projects of national target programs, it is responsible for compiling periodic reports (quarterly, annual, and mid-term) on the implementation of national target programs to send to the Office of the Government, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, and the Ministry of Finance.

- Time for submitting reports:

For Ministries, sectors, central agencies, agencies assigned to manage and implement projects of national target programs, and provincial People's Committees under the Central Government: Quarterly reports must be submitted no later than 30 days after the end of the quarter; annual reports must be submitted no later than the end of March of the following year.

For the program management agency: Quarterly reports must be submitted no later than 45 days after the end of the quarter; annual reports must be submitted no later than the end of April of the following year.

3. Final account report of national target programs:

The final accounting of national target programs is carried out together with the annual final accounting of state budget expenditures of Ministries, sectors, central agencies, and localities in accordance with the current State Budget Law. Along with the data on the final accounting of funds spent on implementing national target programs annually, Ministries, sectors, central agencies, and localities have the responsibility to provide detailed explanations in the final budget report on the results of implementing national target programs regarding the volume of work completed, corresponding objectives relative to the amount of funds expended.

- In cases where Ministries, sectors, central agencies, and provincial People's Committees under the Central Government fail to comply with the reporting regulations stipulated in Points 1, 2, and 3 of Part IV of this Circular, the financial agency will temporarily suspend disbursements, or notify the National Treasury to stop payments for national target program funds until the reports are received.

- The Ministry of Planning and Investment shall take the lead in coordinating with the Ministry of Finance to compile, evaluate the situation, propose solutions for consideration and decision by the Prime Minister to address difficulties and obstacles, timely correct deviations during the implementation process, ensuring that the ultimate goals of national target programs are not deviated from.

 

PART V
IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

- This Circular takes effect 15 days after its issuance. Previous regulations contrary to the provisions of this Circular are abolished.

- Ministers, Heads of ministerial-level agencies, Chairmen of provincial People's Committees under the Central Government are responsible for enforcing this Circular.

During the implementation process, if difficulties arise, please report them to the Joint Ministry for study and resolution.