Some civil servants are not aware of thrift practice and anti-waste

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Mr. Tran Van Vuong.

Could you please tell us some outstanding results about thrift practice and anti-waste in 2017?

It can be said that many positive results have been achieved. First, the Government has submitted to the National Assembly 20 bills and resolutions; commented on 9 other projects, including many important projects to implement the Constitution in 2013. The Government, the Prime Minister, ministries and sectors at the central level promulgated 1,105 legal documents according to their competence. Local authorities at all levels issued 4,111 legal documents at provincial level.

The Government and the Prime Minister have directed drastically in the management of the State budgetary tasks with strict discipline, financial discipline, thorough savings from the preparation, allocation of budget; and strictly control the public debt. In 2017, Vietnam saved VND 51,401 billion, with savings in state capital of VND 47,945 billion and savings in SOEs of VND 3,456 billion.

The reorganization and restructuring of public service along with the roadmap for adjusting prices of public services, have been accelerated. The ministries, branches and localities shall actively carry out the procurement of State property in a centralized manner. The work of financing the use of public cars has initially been promoted effectively, contributing to saving state budget, which is agreed by the public. The State administrative apparatus has been strengthened according to the Resolution of the sixth plenum; promote the reduction of staffing, building e-government; to handle violations committed by officials, public servants and employees in an open and transparent spirit. The inspection and testing activities are strengthened, contributing to the practices ofthrift and anti-waste.

Of course, besides the results, there are still many difficulties and limitations which need to be solved. There are still some ministries, agencies and localities which have not strictly implemented assessment and reporting as required by the law, reducing the effectiveness of law enforcement onthrift andwaste. This issue, apart from objective reasons, is because of the inadequacy of the system of policies, laws, standards, norms and regimes. In addition, the awareness and responsibility for thrift practice and anti-waste of some cadres, civil servants, heads of some agencies, units, organizations and localities are not good, so results are limited.

Reporting to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly about this content a month ago, the Minister of Finance stated in fact, many units did not report, delayed reporting or reporting without evaluation, analysis, data on savings results, wastefulness and shortcomings and limitations in thrift practice and waste combat. Specifically how is this issue after the direction of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, have these units "corrected" or not, Sir?

Implementing the Law on thrift practice and anti-waste, authorized by the Prime Minister, the Minister of Finance signed the Government's Report No. 100 / BC-CP dated 5 April 2017. The report was examined by the Congressional Budget and Finance Committee and the National Assembly Standing Committee to give their opinion at the 23rd session in mid-April 2018. Immediately after the 23rd session of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, the Ministry of Finance has reported in writing to the Prime Minister about units which have not issued the thrift practice and anti-waste Program.

On 27 April 2018, the Prime Minister instructed the ministries, branches and localities to seriously implement the provisions of the Law; organize the review of responsibilities, and adjust the implementation of the Law on thrift practice and anti-waste.

On 8 May 2018, the Ministry of Finance continued to send documents urging the ministries, branches and localities which have not issued the thrift practice and anti-waste program in 2017.

On the basis of the guidance of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly and the opinions of the Finance Committee, the Ministry of Finance has finalized its report to the Prime Minister to present at its fifth session of the XIV National Assembly. This new report has been evaluated by quality reviewers, even suggesting that this is the best report ever on thrift practice and anti-waste.

For thrift practice and anti-waste to be in order, what solutions need to be implemented, Sir?

First, strive to save 12% of the state budget's regular expenditures on expenses for conferences, seminars, meetings, guest reception, festivals and anniversaries; save 15% of cost for the delegation; 100% reduction for ground breaking ceremony, inauguration of basic construction works, except for important national works, and significant works in social, political, cultural areas in the locality.

Second, promote innovation and raise the efficiency of public non-business units under Resolution No. 19-NQ / TW of the sixth plenum. Arrange and reorganize to streamline staff, reduce payroll, raise operational efficiency, strive to reduce about 2.5% of public non-business units.

Third, strive to disburse 100% of the development investment expenditure allocated by the National Assembly and the Prime Minister. Ensure 100% of the programs and projects included in the public investment plan must have all the investment procedures prescribed by the Public Investment Law. Perfect the system of public investment management according to international practices; renovate the way of making and appraising, evaluating and selecting public investment projects to ensure that by 2019 the quality is equivalent to countries in ASEAN-4.

Head of the units without reports on thrift and anti-waste shall be punished VCN- On the morning of 12 April 2018, the Standing Committee of National Assembly discussed the report ...

Fourthly, implement the Law on Management and Use of Public Assets. Reduce the purchase of State cars (except for special-purpose cars) and expensive equipment. Accelerate the implementation of the mechanism of public-duty automobiles, to reduce by 30- 50% of automobiles in service of common tasks by 2020.

Thank you Sir!