Decision No. 05/2000/NQ-CP of the Government at its regular monthly meeting in March 2000

RESOLUTION

The regular monthly meeting of the Government for March 2000

On February 29 and March 30, 2000, the Government convened its regular monthly meeting for March 2000 to discuss and adopt the following issues:

I. The Government heard the Pilot Scheme on Administrative Expenditure Allocation for agencies and organizations benefiting from the State Budget, presented by the Minister of Finance; and the Scheme on Reducing Staffing Levels in State Administrative Agencies, Public Service Units, and State-Owned Enterprises, presented by the Minister and Head of the Government’s Organizational and Cadre Affairs Board.

Although the Government has actively directed the implementation of organizational restructuring and staffing reduction, in recent years, the organizational structure and staffing levels at most central and local agencies have continued to increase. Additionally, the current allocation of budget funds for administrative and public service units still lacks incentives for efficient and economical use. Based on practical needs and to implement Resolution No. 7 of the 8th Plenary Session of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the Government affirms the necessity of implementing staffing reductions and administrative expenditure allocations to improve the quality of cadres and civil servants, ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of the organizational structure, and create conditions for agencies and units to be proactive in using budget funds, economize expenses, and enhance the quality and efficiency of their work.

The Ministry of Finance and the Government’s Organizational and Cadre Affairs Board are tasked with leading, coordinating with relevant agencies to incorporate the opinions of Government members and attendees, perfect the schemes, and submit them to the Prime Minister for issuance of documents to organize the pilot implementation of staffing reductions and administrative expenditure allocations.

II. The Minister of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs presented to the Government a draft Decree supplementing certain provisions of the Social Insurance Regulations issued together with Decree No. 12/CP dated January 26, 1995 of the Government, applicable to workers under labor contracts in state-owned agricultural and forestry enterprises implementing land lease agreements for agricultural and forestry purposes.

Given differing opinions, the Government assigned the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs to lead, coordinate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Finance, and related agencies to conduct specific reviews, further research, and propose solutions to ensure consistency between general policies and social insurance policies for agricultural and forestry enterprise staff; ensure fair and reasonable rights and obligations between those currently working and those who have taken over leases. After completing the scheme, the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs will resubmit it for the Government's consideration and decision.

III. The Government heard the Minister of Planning and Investment present a supplementary report on the implementation of the 1999 plan and the first quarter of 2000, and the Minister of Finance present an evaluation report on the implementation of the State Budget in 1999 and the progress of the State Budget tasks in 2000.

The Government agreed with the assessment of the socio-economic situation in 1999. Most sectoral development indicators and economic growth targets compared to the figures reported to the National Assembly at its sixth session did not undergo significant changes. Despite severe natural disasters and floods in the latter months of the year, thanks to the focused direction of the Government, the efforts of ministries, sectors, localities, and production and business units across all economic components in continuing to implement measures to overcome difficulties and develop production and business, some economic activities showed improvement, particularly in agricultural production, exports, and state revenue collection.

The socio-economic situation in the first quarter of 2000 showed more positive signs compared to the same period in 1999, especially in exports, service activities, and social issues, including poverty alleviation, disaster relief, charitable work, and the implementation of the Year 2000 contingency plan. However, there was no significant change in basic construction investment or direct foreign investment; the implementation of stimulus policies for investment and consumption was not effective, and the issue of declining consumer goods prices remained unresolved.

1. Assign the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Finance to incorporate the opinions from this meeting, complete the reports, and submit them to the Prime Minister for decision and presentation to the National Assembly at its seventh session.

2. Ministries, sectors, and localities need to intensify the organization and implementation of previously proposed measures to guide the implementation of the 2000 plan in subsequent months, paying particular attention to the following issues:

Continue to boost production and implement comprehensive measures to promote product sales through exports and stimulate domestic consumption.

Intensify basic construction investment: allow the extension of additional 1999 funding until the end of the second quarter of 2000; authorize the Ministry of Planning and Investment to reallocate remaining funds from unfinished projects to other projects, focusing on ongoing projects, especially those scheduled for completion in 2000. Urgently implement national programs and other target programs, coordinate and integrate these programs within the same area to ensure the achievement of set goals. Continue to implement the directives of the Politburo and the conclusions of the 8th Plenary Session of the 8th Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam to ensure that state budget development investment does not fall below the level of 1999.

The Prime Minister established a Task Force for Managing the Implementation of the 2000 Socio-Economic Plan, led by the Minister of Planning and Investment as the Permanent Representative, to continuously monitor the situation, compile information, and recommend measures to the Government to ensure successful management of the 2000 tasks and targets.

Government members continue to follow up on localities according to the division of responsibilities by the Prime Minister, conducting at least one direct working visit with local leaders every six months regarding the implementation of plans.

IV. The Government approves the draft Law on Prevention and Control of Narcotics submitted by the Minister of Public Security and the draft Law on Protection of National Cultural Heritage submitted by the Minister of Culture and Information.

Directs the Ministers of Public Security and Culture and Information to take the lead, coordinate with the Ministry of Justice, the Office of the Government, and relevant agencies to incorporate opinions from Government members, perfect the draft Laws, sign and submit them to the National Assembly on behalf of the Government for consideration and comments at the seventh session; simultaneously, urgently draft guiding documents for implementation and complete subsequent tasks for submission to the Prime Minister for approval and presentation to the National Assembly for passage of these Laws at the eighth session at the end of 2000.

V. The Government heard the Minister, Head of the Office of the Government's report on some issues regarding the guidance and management work of the Government in the first quarter of 2000..

In the first three months of the year, there have been some positive changes in the Government’s guidance and management work. The Government has proactively managed economic and social activities and completed a large volume of work focused on key tasks; established and issued several important regulatory documents, particularly those guiding the implementation of the Enterprise Law and draft Laws submitted to the National Assembly... However, administrative reform efforts have progressed slowly, information and reporting systems have not been strictly implemented, and administrative discipline needs to be strengthened.

The Government requests that ministries, sectors, and localities intensify administrative reform and improve their guidance and management methods in the following months; promptly implement reasonable division of labor and decentralization, focusing management on key tasks; urgently implement new mechanisms and policies effectively; review and amend incompatible documents; promptly address difficulties and facilitate economic and social activities; improve meeting procedures; establish and implement quarterly and monthly work programs; strengthen inspection work; implement truthful reporting and information systems; emphasize adherence to administrative discipline among all levels of government; and take strict measures against non-compliance with laws and superior decisions.

VI. The Government approves the Report on the Summary of Work to Address Computer Malfunctions in 2000 submitted by the Minister of Science, Technology, and Environment and agrees to conclude the implementation of the 2000 Year 2000 (Y2K) Prevention and Resolution Plan, dissolve the Steering Committee for this issue. Assign ministries, sectors, and localities to continue resolving remaining issues related to the Y2K problem within their respective jurisdictions./.