JOINT CIRCULAR No. 150/2007/TTLT-BTC-TTCP GUIDING THE MANAGEMENT AND DISTRIBUTION REGIME OF UNIFORMS FOR INSPECTORS AND STAFF MEMBERS OF STATE INSPECTION AGENCIES

JOINT CIRCULAR

Guidelines for the management and allocation of uniforms for Inspectors,

 Officials belonging to State Inspection Agencies

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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 Law on State Budget;

Pursuant to Decree No. 77/2003/NĐ-CP dated July 1, 2003 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Finance;

Pursuant to Decree No. 55/2005/NĐ-CP dated April 25, 2005 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Government Inspectorate;

Pursuant to Decree No. 100/2007/NĐ-CP dated June 13, 2007 of the Government on Inspectors and Inspection Collaborators.

The Ministry of Finance and the Government Inspectorate jointly issue guidelines for the management and allocation of uniforms for Inspectors and officials belonging to State Inspection Agencies as follows:

This technical regulation sets out technical requirements, testing methods, sampling procedures; management requirements; responsibilities of organizations and individuals producing, trading, and importing cigarettes.

1. The subjects entitled to be allocated uniforms for use when performing official duties are Inspectors and officials belonging to State Inspection Agencies.

2. The budget for purchasing uniforms, insignias, badges, rank stripes, shoulder boards, and rank insignia for Inspectors and officials belonging to State Inspection Agencies at which level shall be guaranteed by the corresponding state budget according to the provisions of the State Budget Law and related guiding documents.

Specifically, the budget for producing Inspector identification cards shall be guaranteed by the central budget and included in the annual state budget estimate of the Government Inspectorate.

3. It is strictly prohibited to misuse funds allocated for the purchase of uniforms for Inspectors and officials belonging to State Inspection Agencies for purposes other than those intended, contrary to regulations.

II. SPECIFIC PROVISIONS

1. Standards and service life of uniforms:

Types of uniforms: peaked caps, insignias, badges, rank stripes, shoulder boards, and rank insignia for Inspectors are issued once (in cases where they become worn out, damaged, or lost, replacements will be provided).

For southern provinces, depending on specific conditions and within the allocated budget estimate for uniform procurement, heads of State Inspection Agencies (or their supervising agencies) may consider deciding to switch from overcoats to spring and summer attire to suit the weather conditions.

2. Management, usage, and requirements regarding color, material, and specifications of uniforms for Inspectors and officials belonging to State Inspection Agencies shall be regulated by the Chief Inspector.

For some Ministries and sectors requiring special uniforms, the Ministers or Heads of Ministries equivalent to Ministries or agencies under the Government must reach consensus with the Chief Inspector on the form, color, and style of uniforms to guide the allocation of uniforms for Inspectors in those Ministries and sectors.

3. Principles for allocating uniforms:

a) Allocation and use of uniforms must be in accordance with their intended purpose, target group, and prescribed service life; records must be kept accurately to track the management and allocation of uniforms to each Inspector and official to avoid errors and overlaps.

b) In cases of damage or loss due to objective reasons, replacements will be provided. If damage or loss occurs without justifiable reasons, individuals must ensure that their uniforms meet the required standards at their own expense.

c) In cases of resignation, retirement, disability leave, or transfer to another position where the allocated uniforms have not yet reached their service life, there is no need for recovery; if the service life has expired and new uniforms have not been provided, no further provision will be made.

d) Based on specific circumstances, heads of State Inspection Agencies or their supervising agencies may decide to procure uniforms for Inspectors and officials or provide individual funding for them to purchase uniforms according to the prescribed standards, colors, and styles.

4. Preparation, management, and settlement of the budget for uniform procurement:

a) Establishment of budget estimates:

Each year, State Inspection Agencies base their estimates for the budget for uniform procurement on the number and types of uniforms due for allocation according to this Circular, incorporating these into their annual state budget estimates and submitting them to the financial authorities at the same level for consolidation and approval in accordance with the State Budget Law and related guiding documents.

For State Inspection Agencies that are not budgetary units, each year they base their estimates for the budget for uniform procurement on the number and types of uniforms due for allocation according to this Circular, incorporating these into their agency's overall budget estimate and submitting them to the financial authorities at the same level for consolidation and approval in accordance with the State Budget Law and related guiding documents.

The budget for uniform procurement for Inspectors and officials belonging to State Inspection Agencies in 2008 shall be arranged within the scope of the annual state budget already allocated by the competent authority for implementation.

b) Management and settlement of the budget for uniform procurement: The management and settlement of the budget for uniform procurement shall be carried out in accordance with the State Budget Law, Accounting Law, and related guiding documents.

III. IMPLEMENTATION

1. Expenditures for uniform procurement not in compliance with this Circular, upon discovery during inspection, must be recovered and remitted to the state budget. The person who ordered the improper expenditure must reimburse the full amount from their personal funds; depending on the severity of the violation, they may face disciplinary action or administrative penalties as stipulated in Circular No. 98/2006/TT-BTC dated October 20, 2006 of the Ministry of Finance on guiding compensation for losses and disciplinary measures against civil servants violating laws on thrift and waste prevention, and Circular No. 101/2006/TT-BTC dated October 31, 2006 of the Ministry of Finance on guiding administrative penalties and compensation for losses in thrift and waste prevention.

2. This Circular takes effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette and replaces Circular No. 01 TT/LB dated September 16, 1991 of the Joint Ministry of Finance and State Inspectorate on guidelines for implementing uniform regulations for Inspectors in the State Inspectorate system.

During the implementation process, if there are difficulties or obstacles, it is recommended to reflect them to the Ministry of Finance and the Government Inspectorate for amendment and supplementation to be appropriate./.