Decision No. 85/2002/QD-BNN on the issuance of the Regulation on the organization and operation of the Science and Technology Council of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development

Pursuant to …;

Regarding the issuance of the Regulation on the organization and operation of the Science and Technology Council science and technology council

the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development

_______________________________

THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Pursuant to Decree No. 73/CP dated November 1, 1995 of the Government on the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development;

Considering the proposal of the Director of the Science and Technology and Product Quality Department and the Director of the Organization and Cadre Department,

DECISION:

Article 1.- This Decision promulgates the Regulation on the organization and operation of the Science and Technology Council of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Article 2. This Decision shall take effect fifteen days from the date of signature, and all previous decisions on regulations concerning the organization and operation of the Science and Technology Council of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development that conflict with this Decision shall be terminated.

Article 3.- The Head of the Office, Directors of Departments, Heads of subordinate agencies and units under the Ministry, Members and Committees under the Council are responsible for implementing this Decision./.

REGULATIONS

REGULATION ON THE ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION OF THE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL OF THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(Issued pursuant to Decision No.: 85/2002-QĐ/BNN-TCCB dated September 24, 2002 of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development)

Chapter 1:

FUNCTIONS, TASKS, POWERS OF THE COUNCIL

Article 1.- The Science and Technology Council of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (hereinafter referred to as the Council) is an advisory body on science and technology for the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Article 2.- The Council has the following advisory tasks:

2.1- Agricultural and rural development strategy.

2.2- Strategy and plan for the development of science and technology in the sector.

2.3- Organizing the system of research and technology transfer institutions of the Ministry, evaluating the effectiveness of their operations.

2.4- Reviewing project proposals, selecting and evaluating the results of strategic and multi-disciplinary research projects.

2.5- International cooperation in science and technology.

2.6- Policies related to science and technology.

2.7- Training and utilization of scientific personnel.

2.8- Information technology and information on science and technology, economic information.

2.9- Awarding outstanding scientific works, valuable inventions and innovations within the scope of the Ministry.

In addition to these tasks, upon request of the Minister, the Council may provide opinions on other issues related to agriculture and rural areas.

Article 3.- The Council has the following powers:

3.1- To receive necessary and timely information from the leadership of the Ministry and functional agencies within the Ministry when requested by the Council.

3.2- Members of the Council are informed of directives and resolutions of the Party and State, and of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development regarding the orientation and plans for sectoral development.

 Chapter 2:

ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNCIL

Article 4.- The organization of the Council includes: Chairperson, Deputy Chairpersons, Standing Board, Secretary General, Members of the Council, and specialized committees, decided by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The number of members of the Council shall not exceed forty-five persons.

Article 5.- Chairperson and Deputy Chairpersons of the Council.

5.1- Chairperson of the Council.

The Chairperson of the Council is the Vice Minister in charge of science and technology of the Ministry, appointed by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, with the following responsibilities:

5.1.1- Proposing to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to decide on Deputy Chairpersons, Standing Board, Secretary General, Members of the Council, and specialized committees.

5.1.2- Leading the Council's activities in accordance with the provisions of this regulation.

5.1.3- Directing the Standing Board to prepare the content and agenda of Council meetings.

5.1.4- Summoning and chairing meetings of the Standing Board and the Council.

5.1.5- Approving and submitting to the Minister reports and recommendations of the Council.

5.1.6- When necessary, establishing special working groups under the specialized committees.

5.2- Deputy Chairpersons of the Council:

Deputy Chairpersons of the Council have the responsibility to assist the Chairperson in managing or directly handling certain Council matters assigned by the Chairperson of the Council.

Article 6.- The Standing Board.

The Standing Board consists of the Chairman, Vice Chairmen, Secretary General, and Heads of specialized committees. The Standing Board has the following tasks:

6.1- To handle matters related between two sessions of the Council.

6.2- To prepare the content and program of Council sessions.

6.3-To approve reports of Council sessions.

6.4-To attend meetings of specialized committees.

6.5- To evaluate the activities of specialized committees.

Article 7.- The Secretary General of the Council is the Director of the Science and Technology Department and Product Quality Department, with the following tasks:

7.1- To assist the Chairman of the Council and the Standing Board in preparing the work program of the Standing Board and the Council.

7.2- To record minutes of Council sessions and archive Council files.

Article 8.- Specialized Committees of the Council:

Specialized Committees of the Council consist of the Head, Deputy Heads, Secretary, and Members. Each Committee shall not have more than 15 members. The number of specialized committees and members of each committee shall be proposed by the Chairman of the Council, decided by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, and have the following tasks:

8.1- To develop the annual work program of the Committee.

8.2-To implement the Council's tasks within the scope of the Committee's specialized field.

8.3-To advise on the establishment of specialized councils to review project outlines, assess, and accept research results; pilot production projects, and experimental projects.

8.4- To report the Committee's activity results every six months, annually, and during the term to the Secretary General for consolidation and reporting to the Chairman of the Council.

Article 9.- Council Members:

Council Members are researchers and managers in the fields of agricultural science, forestry, and water resources management. Council Members have the following rights and responsibilities:

9.1- To fully participate in Council meetings. Council Members who are absent without a valid reason for two consecutive times or more will be replaced by another Member proposed by the Chairman of the Council.

9.2- To provide opinions on issues discussed at the Council and be responsible for those opinions.

9.3- To be provided with necessary information to help complete their tasks for Council work.

9.4- To propose and request the Council or specialized committees to discuss issues they discover and consider beneficial for the development of science and technology in the industry.

9.5- To comply with state regulations on confidentiality regarding Council documents.

9.6- To have the right to resign from the Council upon approval by the Minister.

When necessary, the Chairman of the Council may invite scientists inside and outside the industry to attend meetings. Invited guests have the right to discuss issues raised in the session but cannot vote and must comply with confidentiality regulations. The number of invited guests shall not exceed one-third of the number of Council Members.

Chapter 3:

||| MODE OF OPERATION OF THE COUNCIL

Article 10. The Science and Technology Council of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development convenes regularly once every six months, and in cases of necessity, the Chairman of the Council may convene extraordinary sessions. There is no limit to the number of specialized committee sessions, which are held according to work needs, but there should be at least two sessions per year.

Article 11. The Standing Board and Heads of specialized committees must prepare the content, program, and working conditions for the session; send necessary documents for discussion to Council Members and invited guests at least five days before regular sessions and one day before extraordinary sessions.

For regular sessions and one day for extraordinary sessions.

Article 12.- The working method of the Council is based on the principle of democratic centralism, with the minority obeying the majority. In cases where there is disagreement with the Council's decision, a Council member has the right to reserve their opinion and submit it to a higher authority if deemed necessary.

Sessions of the Council and the specialized committees must have at least two-thirds of the total number of Council members present to be considered valid.

The results of voting or secret ballot shall only be recognized when more than three-quarters of the valid votes agree.

Article 13.- The operating costs of the Council and the specialized committees are mainly drawn from the scientific business expenses budgeted by the Director of the Science, Technology, and Product Quality Department and recorded in the annual science and technology plan. The Director of the Financial Accounting Department and the Head of the Ministry's Office shall facilitate the allocation and use of such funds.

Article 14.- The term of office of the Council is three years. The term of office of the member follows that of the Council. In cases where a member withdraws from the Council before the deadline, the Chairman of the Council will propose to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to decide on a replacement member.

 Chapter 4:

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 15.- These regulations shall take effect from the date the decision comes into force. In cases of necessity, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development may issue a decision to amend or supplement provisions in these regulations./.