Decision No. 22/2006/QĐ-BNN on the issuance of the Commemorative Medal "For the Agricultural and Rural Development Cause" and the Regulation on awarding the Commemorative Medal "For the Agricultural and Rural Development Cause"

DECISION OF THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

On issuing the Commemorative Medal "For the Cause of Agriculture and Rural Development" and the Regulation on Awarding the Commemorative Medal "For the Cause of Agriculture and Rural Development"

"Rural Development" and Regulations on awarding the Commemorative Medal "For the Cause of Agriculture and Rural Development"

"Agriculture and Rural Development"

THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Pursuant to Decree No. 86/2003/ND-CP dated July 18, 2003 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development;

Pursuant to the Law on Encouragement and Reward dated November 26, 2003;

The Minister of Industry and Trade promulgates the Circular amending and supplementing certain provisions on the delegation of administrative procedures in fields under the management of the Ministry of Industry and Trade."

DECISION:

Article 1. The Commemorative Medal "For the Cause of Agriculture and Rural Development" is issued to recognize the contributions of individuals who have made significant contributions to the cause of Agriculture and Rural Development in Vietnam.

Article 2. This Decision also promulgates the Regulation on Awarding the Commemorative Medal "For the Cause of Agriculture and Rural Development" attached hereto.

Article 3. This Decision shall take effect fifteen days after its publication in the Official Gazette and shall replace Decision No. 971/NN-QĐ dated May 22, 1997 of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development on the issuance of the Regulation on Awarding the Medal "For the Cause of Agriculture and Rural Development."

Article 4. The Heads of the Office, Heads of agencies and units under the Ministry, Directors of Provincial Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chiefs of Agricultural and Rural Development Sub-departments under People's Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities, General Directors of Total Company 91 are responsible for implementing this Decision.

REGULATIONS

Officers, non-commissioned officers, soldiers, and workers of the People's Public Security Force who have worked in the People's Public Security Force for at least five years but do not meet the criteria for the Medal "Distinguished Soldier" Bronze Class, when retiring or transferring to another profession, may be considered for the Commemorative Medal.

FOR THE CAUSE OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

(Attached to Decision No. 22/2006/QĐ-BNN dated March 29, 2006)

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Commemorative Medal "For the Cause of Agriculture and Rural Development"

The Commemorative Medal "For the Cause of Agriculture and Rural Development" (hereinafter referred to as the Commemorative Medal) is a form of reward given by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to individuals who have contributed significantly to the development of Agriculture and Rural Areas in Vietnam.

Article 2. Principles for awarding the Commemorative Medal

Clause 1. The Commemorative Medal is awarded annually and only once to each individual, and posthumous awards are not granted.

Clause 2. The Commemorative Medal will not be awarded to individuals who have been awarded any of the following Medals:

- For the Cause of Protecting and Developing Forests.

- For the Cause of Developing Agriculture.

- For the Cause of Developing the Water Resources Sector of Vietnam.

- For the Cause of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Chapter II

ELIGIBILITY AND CRITERIA FOR AWARDING THE MEMORIAL MEDAL

Article 3. Recipients of the Commemorative Medal

Point 1. Cadres, civil servants, employees, workers, and laborers in the Agriculture and Rural Development sector from central to local levels, currently working, producing, or retired, or transferred to other sectors (hereinafter referred to as individuals within the sector).

Point 2. Individuals outside the Agriculture and Rural Development sector, overseas Vietnamese, and foreigners (hereinafter referred to as individuals outside the sector).

Article 4. Criteria for awarding the Commemorative Medal

Clause 1. For individuals within the sector meeting one of the following criteria:

Point a) Having continuously worked in the sector for twenty years for women and twenty-five years for men without being disciplined at or above the warning level. The time served in positions such as Director of a Bureau, Head of a Department, Chairman of the Board of Management, General Director, Director of a Provincial Department, and equivalent positions is multiplied by two.

In cases where an individual has worked in the sector, then joined the military or transferred to another sector, and later returned to the sector, the time spent in the military or working in another sector is counted cumulatively. In cases where an individual was a member of the military and transferred to the Agriculture and Rural Development sector, the time served in the military is also counted.

Point b) Leaders of the Ministry and members of the Party Cadre Committee.

Point c) Labor Heroes, National Model Workers.

Point d) Academicians, Professors, Associate Professors, People's Teachers, Distinguished Teachers, People's Doctors, Distinguished Doctors, People's Artists, Distinguished Artists.

2. For individuals outside the sector meeting one of the following criteria:

Point a) Leaders of the Party, State, and Ministries, Departments, and Agencies at the central level, and leaders of provinces and centrally-run cities who have made contributions in leading and directing efforts that contribute to the development of the cause of Agriculture and Rural Development in Vietnam.

Point b) Having inventions recognized by competent authorities and applied in agricultural production and rural development with notable results.

Point c) Farmers recognized as "Excellent Farmer Households" at the national, provincial, or city level.

Point d) Overseas Vietnamese and foreigners who have made significant contributions and support in material and spiritual terms to the Agriculture and Rural Development sector through investment, sponsorship, and technology transfer programs.

Point 3. Individuals with outstanding achievements recognized by the Minister.

Point a) Demonstrating courageous actions or achieving remarkable results in disaster prevention and mitigation.

Point b) Contributing materially, physically, and spiritually to help resolve difficulties in the Agriculture and Rural Development sector.

Point c) Achieving remarkable results in promoting policies and guiding techniques to assist farmers in production and business operations.

Chapter III

EXPENSES AND BENEFITS FOR RECIPIENTS OF THE

COMMENDATION MEDAL

Article 5. Budget

The expenses for making the Commemorative Medal are funded by localities and units from their own reward funds.

Article 6. Benefits for recipients of Commendation Medal

1. Receive the Commendation Medal and Certificate of Commendation Medal issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

2. Be awarded money or equivalent goods in accordance with the provisions of Government Decree No. 121/2005/NĐ-CP dated September 30, 2005.

Chapter IV

PROCEDURE AND PROCEDURES FOR AWARDS OF COMMENDATION MEDAL

Article 7. Procedure for awarding Commendation Medal

The Standing Committee of the Competition and Reward Council of the Ministry is responsible for receiving files from units within and outside the sector proposing to be awarded the Commendation Medal, compiling them, comparing them with the standards set out in this Regulation, and preparing files to submit to the Minister for decision on awarding the Commendation Medal.

For individuals with outstanding and exceptional achievements directly decided by the Minister, a simplified procedure shall be followed.

Article 8. Procedures for awarding Commendation Medal

1. For individuals within the sector, write a summary of their work history and send it to the unit where they have worked or are currently working. The head of the agency or unit confirms the achievements and working period declared by the individual, prepares a report and a list of nominees to be sent to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

2. For overseas Vietnamese and foreigners related to the specialty or field of a specific agency or unit, the head of that agency or unit bases on the criteria stipulated in Articles 2 and 4 of this Regulation, is responsible for preparing a report and a list of nominees (according to Model 2) to submit to the Minister. The Standing Committee of the Competition and Reward Council of the Ministry has the duty to review the file, coordinate with the Department of International Cooperation to seek approval to submit to the Minister for decision on awarding the Commendation Medal. Foreigners must have the approval of the relevant specialized agency or unit.

3. For leaders of the Party, State, and central ministries, councils, and sectors, the Standing Committee of the Competition and Reward Council of the Ministry coordinates with relevant agencies and units to submit to the Minister for decision on awarding the Commendation Medal.

4. For leaders of provinces and cities and farmers, the Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Head of the Agency under the fields of Agriculture and Rural Development under the People's Committees of provinces and cities, submit to the Minister. The Standing Committee of the Competition and Reward Council of the Ministry has the duty to review the file, coordinate with relevant agencies and units to seek approval to submit to the Minister for decision on awarding the Commendation Medal.

5. For individuals with outstanding and exceptional achievements, the Standing Committee of the Competition and Reward Council of the Ministry follows a simplified procedure and submits to the Minister for decision on awarding the Commendation Medal.

Article 9. Files for awarding Commendation Medal

1. Report proposing the awarding of Commendation Medal from units (Model 1).

2. List of nominees for the awarding of Commendation Medal.

3. Summary of individual achievements kept at the unit (Model 2).

Article 10. Time for awarding Commendation Medal

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development awards the Commendation Medal twice a year:

- First round before May 1, presented on Labor Day.

- Second round before November 14, presented on the Traditional Day of the Sector.

Article 11. Organization of presentation of Commendation Medal

1. Presentation of the Commendation Medal "For the Cause of Agriculture and Rural Development" is conducted directly by the leadership of the Ministry or delegated to the heads of subordinate agencies and units, Directors of Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development, Heads of Agencies, General Directors of Total Company 91.

2. Units with foreign recipients of the Commendation Medal cooperate with the Department of International Cooperation, the Department of Cadre and Civil Servants, and the Office of the Ministry to organize the ceremony of presentation.

Chapter V

VIOLATION HANDLING AND COMPLAINT AND DENUNCIATION RESOLUTION

Article 12. Handling of violations

1. Individuals who report inaccurately about their time to be eligible for the award of Commendation Medal will have their Commendation Medal, certificate, and name removed from the award decision.

2. The Standing Committee of the Competition and Reward Council of the Ministry is responsible for reviewing and inspecting, submitting to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development for decision on revoking the Commendation Medal.

Article 13. Handling complaints and denunciations

The procedures, steps, deadlines, and authority for handling complaints and denunciations regarding the awarding of Commendation Medal are carried out in accordance with the Ordinance on Complaints and Denunciations.

Article 14. Implementation Organization

Heads of agencies and units under the Ministry, Directors of Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development, Heads of Agencies under the People's Committees of provinces and cities, General Directors of Total Company 91 are responsible for organizing implementation, disseminating, and guiding the content and criteria for the awarding of Commendation Medal to all subjects specified in this Regulation./.