Decision No. 24/2001/QĐ-BCN On the Issuance of the Regulation on the Operation of the Water Regulation Working Group of the Se San River

Pursuant to …;

Regarding the issuance of the Regulation on the Operation

of the Working Group for Water Regulation of the Sesan River

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THE MINISTER OF INDUSTRY

Pursuant to the Government Decree No. 74/CP dated November 1, 1995 on the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Industry;

At the proposal of the Director of the International Cooperation Department, Head of the Working Group for Water Regulation of the Sesan River,

DECISION:

Article 1. To issue the attached Regulation on the Operation of the Working Group for Water Regulation of the Sesan River.

Article 2. This Decision shall take effect fifteen days from the date of signature. The Director of the Ministry's Office, the Director of the International Cooperation Department, the Director of the Organization and Cadres Department, and the members of the Working Group for Water Regulation of the Sesan River are responsible for implementing this Decision.

REGULATIONS

Operation of the Working Group for Water Regulation of the Sesan River

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(Issued together with Decision No. 24/2001/QĐ-BCN

dated May 10, 2001 of the Minister of Industry)

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. This Regulation applies to the Working Group for Water Regulation of the Sesan River (hereinafter referred to as "the Working Group"), established pursuant to Decision No. 0254/QĐ-HTQT dated February 8, 2001 of the Minister of Industry based on the opinion of the Prime Minister (Letter No. 104/CP-QHQT dated November 13, 2000 of the Government Office) and the nomination of participants by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Vietnam Mekong River Commission, the People's Committee of Gia Lai Province, the People's Committee of Kon Tum Province, and the Vietnam Electricity Corporation.

Article 2. The Head of the Working Group is responsible for organizing and supervising the implementation of this Regulation; periodically compiling the situation and proposing the Ministry to issue a decision on amending and improving the Regulation.

Chapter II

GENERAL TASKS

Article 3. The Working Group is tasked with coordinating with the Cambodian side to establish mechanisms and solutions to avoid damage to the downstream area due to water discharge from the Ialy Reservoir and other hydropower projects on the Sesan River in the future.

Chapter III

ASSIGNMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES

Article 4. Responsibilities of the Head

Based on the guidance of the Prime Minister (Letter No. 53/CP-QHQT dated August 4, 2000 regarding the impact of the Ialy Reservoir on Cambodia) and the guidance of the Minister of Industry, the Head is responsible for directing the Working Group:

1. Establishing mechanisms and solutions to avoid damage to the downstream area due to water discharge from the Ialy Reservoir and other hydropower projects on the Sesan River,

2. Contributing opinions on research contents related to increasing power generation efficiency, flood control, enhancing agricultural productivity in the downstream area, and ensuring safety for hydropower plant facilities on the Sesan River,

3. Urging the Vietnam Electricity Corporation to implement five measures directed by the Prime Minister in Letter No. 104/CP-QHQT dated November 13, 2000,

4. Jointly with the Cambodian side to agree on the content and plan for implementing the project to assess environmental impacts on the downstream area due to water discharge from the Ialy Reservoir,

5. Compiling these contents to report to the Minister before discussing with relevant Vietnamese agencies, the Cambodian side, or Consultants,

6. The Head is responsible for convening and chairing regular or extraordinary meetings of the Working Group, concluding issues discussed at meetings; leading the Vietnamese Working Group in working with relevant Vietnamese agencies, the Cambodian side, or Consultants.

Article 5. Responsibilities of the Deputy Head of the Working Group

In case the Head is busy with other work, the Deputy Head of the Working Group shall perform the responsibilities of the Head as stipulated in Article 4 upon request of the Head.

Article 6. Responsibilities of Members

1. Report and seek opinions from the Ministry's, Sector's, and Local Authority's leaders on issues assigned for research and contribution of opinions.

2. Prepare proposals from the Ministry, Sector, and Local Authorities.

3. Seek opinions from the Ministry's, Sector's, and Local Authority's leaders on issues requiring common agreement.

4. Implement the assignments of the Team Leader.

5. Members concurrently serve at various Ministries, Sectors, and Local Authorities.

6. Attend all meetings of the Working Group when invited with a notice.

7. Members must strictly adhere to the reporting system for the tasks they are assigned to monitor.

Chapter IV

WORKING REGIME

Article 7. Working Regime

Members of the Working Group shall be convened for meetings as required by work and upon receipt of notices from the Ministry of Industry.

Annually, there are two (2) meetings: One meeting exclusively for the Working Group of Vietnam, and one joint meeting with the Working Group of Cambodia. The content, location, and time of the meetings will be notified two (2) months in advance.

In case of emergencies, the Ministry of Industry will issue notices to convene members.

Chapter V

OTHER PROVISIONS

 Article 8. Operating Expenses

When attending meetings, members are covered by their respective Ministries, Sectors, and Local Authorities for travel, accommodation, meals, and related expenses.

Regular operating expenses and organizing regular and emergency meetings of the Working Group are funded from the budget allocated to the Ministry of Industry for incoming and outgoing delegations and other sources of funding, including the Electricity Corporation and the Mekong River Commission.

Article 9. Documents and Information

Documents and information relevant to the Working Group's tasks shall be provided by the Team Leader to all members for reference, study, proposal, and safekeeping./.