Joint Circular No. 131/2011/TTLT-BTC-BKH&ĐT-BTTTT guiding the management and use of state budget funds for the implementation of the National Target Program to bring information to mountainous areas, remote areas, border regions, and islands in 2011.

JOINT CIRCULAR

Guidelines for managing and using state budget funds to implement the National Target Program on Bringing Information to Grassroots Areas in Mountainous Regions, Remote Areas, Border Areas, and Islands in 2011

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Pursuant to Decree No. 60/2003/NĐ-CP dated June 6, 2003 of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of the State Budget Law;

Pursuant to Decree No. 118/2008/NĐ-CP dated November 27, 2008, of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Finance;

Pursuant to Decree No. 116/2008/ND-CP dated November 14, 2008 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Planning and Investment;

BASED ON THE GOVERNMENT DECREE NO. 187/2007/NĐ-CP OF DECEMBER 25, 2007 ON THE FUNCTIONS, TASKS, POWERS, AND ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS;

Pursuant to Decision No. 135/2009/QĐ-TTg dated November 4, 2009 of the Government Chairman on promulgating the Regulations on management and operation of national target programs;

Implementing Decision No. 2331/QĐ-TTg dated December 20, 2010 of the Prime Minister promulgating the List of National Target Programs in 2011;

The Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, and the Ministry of Information and Communications jointly issue guidelines for the management and use of state budget funds to implement the National Target Program on Bringing Information to Grassroots Areas in Mountainous Regions, Remote Areas, Border Areas, and Islands (hereinafter referred to as the National Target Program on Bringing Information to Grassroots Areas) in 2011 as follows:

Article 1. General Provisions

1. These Circulars provide guidelines for managing and using state budget funds to implement the National Target Program on Bringing Information to Grassroots Areas in 2011 according to Decision No. 2331/QĐ-TTg dated December 20, 2010 of the Prime Minister promulgating the List of National Target Programs in 2011, including three projects:

a) Project 1: Strengthening the capacity of grassroots information and communication officers.

b) Project 2: Enhancing material infrastructure for grassroots information and communication systems.

c) Project 3: Enhancing information and communication content for grassroots areas in mountainous regions, remote areas, border areas, and islands.

2. The funding for the National Target Program on Bringing Information to Grassroots Areas in 2011 from state budget sources shall be implemented according to Decision No. 196/QĐ-TTg dated January 30, 2011 of the Prime Minister regarding the allocation of the budget for implementing national target programs in 2011 and Decision No. 518/QĐ-TTg dated April 8, 2011 of the Prime Minister amending and supplementing Decision No. 196/QĐ-TTg dated January 30, 2011 of the Prime Minister.

3. The sources of funding for the Program include: state budget funds (central budget funds; local budget funds; borrowed funds and aid funds); contributions from various economic sectors; and other lawful sources of funding. Among these:

a) Central budget funds for implementing tasks:

- Expenditure for implementing Project 1.

||| - Expenditure for implementing Project 2 (excluding the content funded by the local budget as specified in point b of this clause).

- Expenditure for implementing Project 3.

- Program management expenses.

||| - Project management costs for the Program.

||| b) Local budget funds for implementing:

- Implementation of Project 2 includes: construction, upgrading of station shells and architectural structures of stations, station shells, power supply (in cases where existing facilities cannot be utilized for installation of project equipment).

||| - Supplementing the implementation of other Program contents outside of the portion of Program implementation funded by the central budget.

c) Legal revenue of agencies and units permitted to retain and use.

d) Voluntary contributions from organizations and individuals: The Program may accept contributions in cash or in kind. When accepting such contributions, the implementing agency must record, consolidate, and report the results in accordance with regulations.

đ) Other lawful funding sources implemented in accordance with relevant regulatory documents.

Article 2. Content of the Program in 2011

1. Project 1 "Strengthening the Capacity of Grassroots Information and Communication Officers". The content of the project implementation in 2011 includes:

- Developing a framework program, training materials, and skills enhancement for professional and vocational training, and deploying them for trainers.

- Surveying and determining the needs for skills enhancement for grassroots information and communication officers in 2011 and the period 2011-2015.

- Supporting the organization of short-term professional and vocational training courses for grassroots information and communication officers according to the framework program and training materials issued by the Ministry of Information and Communications. Priority will be given to training officers who have the potential to work long-term in the field of grassroots information and communication to ensure the sustainable effectiveness of the Program.

2. Project 2 "Enhancing Material Infrastructure for Grassroots Information and Communication Systems":

- Constructing new and upgrading relay stations for radio and television broadcasting at the district and commune levels in mountainous regions, remote areas, border areas, and islands. Priority will be given to upgrading relay stations that have deteriorated.

For the implementation of new construction investments, localities need to consider necessary conditions to ensure progress, such as constructing stations, power supply, and allocating management, operation, usage, and maintenance costs based on local budgets to ensure the tasks specified in Clause 3, Article 1 of this Circular.

- Investing in new construction and upgrading of village radio stations; priority will be given to locations where existing facilities can be utilized (at the People's Committee office or suitable locations).

- Supporting equipment to establish village radio stations in poor districts according to government regulations.

- Supporting equipment for grassroots information and communication activities.

- Supporting the provision of signal receiving devices, listening and viewing equipment, and necessary auxiliary equipment for community living areas (at border guard units, cultural houses, or concentrated community living areas). Priority will be given to areas with difficult socio-economic conditions, low household coverage rates for listening and viewing equipment, and newly covered areas for television broadcasting.

3. Project 3 "Enhancing Information and Communication Content for Grassroots Areas in Mountainous Regions, Remote Areas, Border Areas, and Islands":

- Supporting the production, editing, and broadcasting of thematic television programs serving the target groups of the project (including ethnic languages).

- Supporting the creation, editing, printing, and distribution of specialized books and communication publications serving ethnic minority communities in mountainous regions, remote areas, and difficult regions (excluding publications provided free of charge by the state to strengthen information and propaganda work serving political, economic, cultural, and social development in ethnic minority and mountainous regions and particularly difficult areas as stipulated in Decision No. 975/QĐ-TTg dated July 20, 2006 of the Prime Minister; publications subsidized and ordered; publications supported for creative purposes as stipulated in Decision No. 369/QĐ-TTg dated March 14, 2011 of the Prime Minister).

Building an electronic information database for rural areas.

4. Management, Supervision, and Evaluation of the Program.

Article 3. Content and amount of expenditure

1. Contents and Expenditure Levels for Project 1:

a) For activities related to investigating and surveying to determine training needs: apply the expenditure level as prescribed in Circular No. 58/2011/TT-BTC dated May 11, 2011 of the Ministry of Finance on guiding the management, use, and settlement of funds for conducting surveys from state budget non-business funds.

b) For developing framework programs, compiling curricula, textbooks, and paying remuneration to lecturers: implement according to the provisions of Circular No. 123/2009/TT-BTC dated June 17, 2009 of the Ministry of Finance regarding the contents and levels of expenditure for developing framework programs and compiling curricula and textbooks for subjects in university, college, and vocational high school education.

c) For seminars, hiring experts for reviewing and providing comments on framework programs, materials, and lectures: follow the standards set forth in Circular No. 123/2009/TT-BTC dated June 17, 2009 of the Ministry of Finance regarding the contents and levels of expenditure for developing framework programs and compiling curricula and textbooks for subjects in university, college, and vocational high school education.

d) For translating materials: apply according to Circular No. 219/2009/TT-BTC dated November 19, 2009 of the Ministry of Finance prescribing certain expenditure standards applicable to projects and programs using official development assistance (ODA) funds.

e) Supporting food, accommodation, and travel expenses for trainees who are participants in the program, including: civil servants and public officials at commune, ward, and town levels; those working part-time at the commune level when attending training courses and skill enhancement sessions (as stipulated in Decree No. 92/2009/NĐ-CP dated October 22, 2009 of the Government on job titles, number of positions, and some policies for civil servants and public officials at commune, ward, and town levels, and those working part-time at the commune level), and other eligible individuals. Specific expenditure levels:

- Accommodation allowance: Pay according to actual expenses but not exceeding the allocated accommodation expense limit as prescribed in Point a, Clause 4, Article 2 of Circular No. 97/2010/TT-BTC dated July 6, 2010 of the Ministry of Finance on travel expenses and meeting organization costs for state agencies and public service units.

- Lodging subsidy: The expenditure level follows Point a, Clause 3, Article 2 of Circular No. 97/2010/TT-BTC dated July 6, 2010 of the Ministry of Finance on travel expenses and meeting organization costs for state agencies and public service units.

- Food allowance for trainees: The expenditure level follows Point 1.6, Clause 1, Article 3 of Circular No. 139/2010/TT-BTC dated September 21, 2010 of the Ministry of Finance on the preparation, management, and use of state budget funds for cadre and civil servant training and enhancement.

- Travel allowance: Based on the specific conditions of each locality, the Departments of Information and Communications shall propose specific allocation levels for different regions, submit to the Department of Finance for agreement before implementation.

g) Training costs for lecturers and other expenses as prescribed in Circular No. 139/2010/TT-BTC dated September 21, 2010 of the Ministry of Finance on the preparation, management, and use of state budget funds for cadre and civil servant training and enhancement.

h) Printing costs for materials and lectures: Implement according to the laws on purchasing goods and services funded by the state budget.

2. Content and expenditure levels for Project 2:

- Construction and installation costs;

- Equipment costs;

- Other basic construction costs.

Detailed contents and expenditure levels for each project (including consultancy and project management costs) shall be based on the approved budget and current regulations on investment construction and state asset procurement.

3. Content and expenditure levels for Project 3:

a) For activities related to investigating and surveying to determine information needs at the grassroots level: implement according to Circular No. 58/2011/TT-BTC dated May 11, 2011 of the Ministry of Finance on guiding the management, use, and settlement of funds for conducting surveys from state budget non-business funds.

b) For conferences and training sessions aimed at improving quality, enhancing content, and strengthening communication about mountainous areas, remote regions, border areas, and islands: the contents and expenditure levels shall be implemented according to Circular No. 97/2010/TT-BTC dated July 6, 2010 of the Ministry of Finance on travel expenses and meeting organization costs for state agencies and public service units, and related regulations.

c) Supporting production costs for radio and television programs and communication publications; publishing products and providing electronic information for rural areas:

- Production support for new radio and television programs shall be carried out according to Decision No. 382/QĐ-BTTTT dated March 21, 2011 of the Ministry of Information and Communications on setting production support prices for new television programs using state budget funds during the period 2010-2012, and implemented through ordering. No support will be provided for costs such as value-added tax; depreciation of large equipment used for shared program production (color vehicles, studio systems, common service equipment; headquarters, etc.); public utility service costs purchased externally (electricity, water, telephone, fax, postal fees, etc.); other costs: transmission costs for live broadcasts; stage decoration for television, lighting equipment, and profit.

- Production of publication products: The Ministry of Information and Communications shall be responsible for coordinating with relevant ministries, agencies, and publishers to develop production and distribution cost plans for publications; the Ministry of Finance shall coordinate with the Ministry of Information and Communications to determine the production and distribution costs to establish payment prices for ordered publications under the 2011 Program.

- For the provision of communication publications and electronic information services for rural areas: Implementation shall be carried out according to current legal regulations.

d) Supporting rebroadcasting costs for radio and television stations at various levels. The supporting expenditure levels are as follows:

+ Rebroadcasting programs with a duration not exceeding 15 minutes is 300,000 VND per program.

+ Rebroadcasting programs with a duration over 15 minutes up to 30 minutes is 575,000 VND per program.

+ Rebroadcasting programs with a duration over 30 minutes up to 45 minutes is 850,000 VND per program.

The list of programs provided by the central authority, broadcasting hours, and programs broadcasted according to the guidelines of the Ministry of Information and Communications.

The levels of support costs specified above are the maximum levels of expenditure. Based on actual circumstances and budget capacity, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee directly under the Central Government shall specify specific support levels that are appropriate and ensure they do not exceed the expenditure levels prescribed in this Circular.

f) Support costs for establishing external information dissemination clusters at border gates.

e) Expenditure on the distribution and transportation of communication publications to beneficiary units. The expenditure level is based on the actual number of publications distributed and the service rates of the service providers.

g) Expenditure on promoting, advertising, managing, and introducing publications and communication publications. The expenditure level is based on the standards set by the Ministry of Information and Communications or the approved budget and implemented through procurement.

h) In cases where the cost items for implementing Project 3 have not been issued by authorized state agencies with standard rates or unit prices, the entity directly responsible for implementing the project shall base its budget preparation on the objectives of the Program agreed upon by the competent state management agency for Information and Communications (at the central level, the Ministry of Information and Communications; at the local level, the Department of Information and Communications), the workload, and market prices, and submit it for approval by the authorized body in accordance with current laws.

4. Expenditures for management, supervision, and evaluation of the Program

For Program Management Agencies (Program Management Board and Component Project Management Boards of the Program), the expenditure items include:

a) Expenditure on developing and reviewing the Program, and reviewing component projects within the Program;

b) Expenditure on establishing monitoring frameworks and monitoring indicators, evaluating the implementation of the Program; researching and recommending amendments and supplements to mechanisms and policies regarding the implementation of the Program;

c) Expenditure on hiring consultants; annual, mid-term, and final-term monitoring and evaluation of the Program; inspecting, monitoring, and evaluating the implementation of the Program; compiling comprehensive reports, analyzing, and evaluating the implementation of the Program at various levels; summarizing and assessing the implementation of the Program; holding coordination meetings about the Program at the central and local levels; applying information technology to manage the Program.

d) Expenditure on auditing the use of Program funds (which may be state audit or independent audit).

đ) Other expenditures for managing the Program. The management expenditure for the Program and its projects is carried out in accordance with current national regulations.

Article 4. Management and settlement of the Program's budget expenses

1. Based on the plan and state budget estimate assigned by the authorized body, Ministries, central agencies, and localities allocate and assign budgets to subordinate units implementing the Program according to Code 0430 - Projects (Project 1 - Code 0431; Project 2 - Code 0432; Project 3 - Code 0433):

This code number will be used in the execution of the budget estimate, accounting, and settlement of the state budget.

2. The Program project management agencies are responsible for drafting, reviewing, and approving the detailed contents of each project and tasks within the list of projects assigned under the Program.

3. By the end of 2011, ministries, central agencies, and localities report on the implementation of the Program's specialized targets and indicators, the progress of fund disbursement, difficulties encountered during implementation, and policy recommendations to the Ministry of Information and Communications for consolidation and reporting.

4. Implement independent auditing of the use of Program funds.

State-owned enterprises that have been assigned by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to conduct offshore wind power project surveys before the effective date of this Circular shall continue to implement according to the assigned documents; any new matters arising after the effective date of this Circular shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions of this Circular.

Ministries, central agencies, localities, and entities implementing the Program's project contents shall base their actions on the Management and Implementation Regulations of National Target Programs issued together with Decision No. 135/QĐ-TTg dated November 4, 2009.

1. The Ministry of Information and Communications:

a) Establish the National Target Program Management Board in accordance with Clause 2, Article 28 of the Management and Implementation Regulations of National Target Programs issued together with Decision No. 135/2009/QĐ-TTg of the Prime Minister.

b) Establish the Project Management Board in accordance with Clause 2, Article 29 of the Management and Implementation Regulations of National Target Programs issued together with Decision No. 135/2009/QĐ-TTg of the Prime Minister to manage the implementation of Program projects allocated funding.

c) Guide Ministries, central agencies, and provinces selected to implement the Program in 2011 to carry out activities in accordance with the Program's objectives and tasks.

d) Guiding technical standards for information and communication infrastructure projects within the Program’s investment content.

đ) Organize effective implementation of the Program's tasks and projects; coordinate integration with other programs and projects to achieve effectiveness without waste; settle accounts for these funds in accordance with regulations.

e) Leading the development, dissemination, and guidance of monitoring and evaluation criteria systems for assessing the results and impact of projects according to the Program’s objectives and tasks.

g) Regularly and unexpectedly inspecting the implementation of Program projects to ensure that the Program is carried out according to the plan.

h) Regularly report to relevant units as stipulated in Article 20 of Decision No. 135/2009/QĐ-TTg dated November 4, 2009 of the Prime Minister.

2. Ministries, central agencies; People's Committees of provinces and centrally-administered cities:

a) Provincial People's Committees directly under the Central Government allocate local government budget funds together with targeted supplementary funds from the central government budget for the Program to operate and run investment projects; manage communication publications and publications invested in according to the Program after completion and handover.

b) Ministries, central agencies, and Provincial People's Committees directly under the central government responsible for implementing the Program's tasks and projects must manage and use Program funds in accordance with current national regulations and ensure achievement of the set goals.

c) Approve tasks and projects assigned for implementation in 2011 (objectives, tasks, contents, and budget estimates).

d) Direct the implementation of Program tasks and projects assigned in accordance with the guidelines of the Ministry of Information and Communications and the approved plan. Direct subordinate units to use funds for their intended purposes effectively, without waste, and settle accounts in accordance with current regulations.

đ) Integrating with other programs and projects to effectively implement the Program.

e) Mobilize contributions from private economic sectors, organizations, and individuals both domestically and internationally to invest in bringing information to mountainous areas, remote regions, border areas, and islands in accordance with the law (if applicable).

g) Provincial People's Committees directly under the Central Government shall base their decisions on the current administrative division and the proposals of the Department of Information and Communications to consider and assign direct management and implementation responsibilities for Program projects to executing agencies.

3. This Circular shall take effect from November 7, 2011, and shall apply to the implementation of projects under the Program pursuant to Decision No. 2331/QĐ-TTg dated December 20, 2010, issued by the Prime Minister along with the List of National Target Programs for 2011.

4. As regards the workload that ministries, central agencies, and localities have implemented before this Circular takes effect, ministries, central agencies, and localities shall settle accounts for expenses based on the provisions of this Circular and valid expenditure vouchers in accordance with the State Budget Law.

5. During the implementation process, if there are any difficulties, they should be promptly reported to the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, and the Ministry of Information and Communications for study and appropriate amendments./.