A proper assessment of the new rural development program is needed.

(Baonghean.vn) - On the afternoon of October 26th, under the chairmanship of Ms. Cao Thi Hien - Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Council, the Standing Committee of the Provincial People's Council held a regular meeting to evaluate some activities in October and implement key tasks for November 2016.

Attending the conference were members of the Provincial Party Standing Committee: Le Xuan Dai - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; Ho Phuc Hop - Head of the Provincial Party Propaganda Department, Head of the Culture and Social Affairs Committee of the Provincial People's Council; Le Hong Vinh - Chairman of the Provincial Party Inspection Committee, Head of the Economic and Budget Committee of the Provincial People's Council; members of the Provincial Party Committee, representatives of the Provincial Fatherland Front Committee and the Provincial People's Committee Office.

Comrade Cao Thi Hien, member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee and Vice Chairwoman of the Provincial People's Council, presided over the meeting.

Constructing rural roads in Quynh Dien commune, Quynh Luu district.

In October, the Standing Committee and the Committees of the Provincial People's Council focused on monitoring several key topics, including: the implementation of national criteria for the new rural development program; the procurement and use of public assets in administrative agencies and units; student enrollment and the implementation of policies and regulations for teachers and students in ethnic minority boarding schools; surveys on tuition fee collection and expenditure, other fees, and the implementation of the new school model (VNEN)...

The Standing Committee and the Committees of the Provincial People's Council have reviewed and commented on many issues arising between the two sessions that fall under the authority of the Provincial People's Council, such as adjusting the scale of the investment project for the economic development road in the western part of the province, the route from the center of Nghia Dan district connecting to the Ho Chi Minh Highway; the plan for allocating funds from the sale of the Nghe An Guesthouse (in Cua Lo town); land acquisition for the implementation of the marble quarrying project at Eo Cat hill, Tan Xuan commune, Tan Ky district...

The Provincial People's Council also maintained the assignment of representatives to participate in receiving citizens in 21 districts, cities, and towns; receiving and processing 22 complaints, denunciations, petitions, and feedback from citizens according to established procedures.

Comrade Le Xuan Dai, member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee and Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, acknowledged that the new rural development program still has many shortcomings and inadequacies.

Comrade Ho Phuc Hop - Member of the Standing Committee, Head of the Propaganda Department of the Provincial Party Committee, and Head of the Culture and Social Affairs Committee of the Provincial People's Council - stated that the situation of outstanding debts for basic construction and outstanding debts for new rural development criteria is a matter of concern.

Speaking at the briefing conference, comrades Hoang Viet Duong - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Council and Phan Duc Dong - Head of the Legal Affairs Committee of the Provincial People's Council expressed concern about the slow progress in drafting resolutions to be submitted to the 3rd session, scheduled for mid-December. According to the program, 34 resolutions are to be submitted; however, 24 draft resolutions have yet to be prepared, many of which require the opinion of the Provincial Party Standing Committee at its November meeting.

Comrade Ho Phuc Hop - Head of the Culture and Social Affairs Committee - raised concerns about the debt situation in the construction of new rural areas, including outstanding debts for basic construction, with some communes owing up to nearly 26 billion VND; and debts related to criteria, with some communes that have been recognized as meeting the standards still owing 2-3 criteria.

"The crucial issue in building new rural areas is improving people's lives. However, in reality, when people's income is factored in inflation, will it increase or decrease?!" Comrade Ho Phuc Hop questioned.

Comrade Hoang Viet Duong, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Council, suggested that attention should be paid to the progress and quality of the draft reports and resolutions to be presented at the next session.

Also addressing the issue of debt in rural development, Comrade Tran Kim Loc - Chief of the Provincial People's Council Office - suggested that the Provincial People's Committee conduct a comprehensive review of the debt situation throughout the province to find positive solutions and ensure sustainable rural development.

Acknowledging some shortcomings in the new rural development program, Mr. Le Xuan Dai, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, stated that, recognizing the current inadequacies, the Provincial People's Committee has assigned the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to implement the new rural development program in conjunction with occupational transformation, building sustainable economic models, improving people's lives, and preserving the cultural identity of rural villages.

Improving the lives of people in the context of building new rural areas is a pressing issue.

Concluding the meeting, Ms. Cao Thi Hien, Vice Chairwoman of the Provincial People's Council, emphasized: The main tasks for the Standing Committee and the Committees of the Provincial People's Council in November are to focus on preparing the program and content for the 3rd session of the Provincial People's Council; coordinating with the Provincial People's Committee to prepare draft submissions and resolutions; and proactively developing a review schedule to send to the Provincial People's Committee so that the leaders of the Provincial People's Committee can arrange to participate in the reviews conducted by the Standing Committee and the Committees of the Provincial People's Council.

The Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Council also emphasized that the implementation of the plan to meet with voters before and after the 3rd session needs to focus on increasing the number of meeting points, paying attention to meeting with voters in residential areas, industrial zones, and special areas. Adequate preparation of documents for delegates meeting with voters is crucial, especially the presentations and draft resolutions to be submitted at the 3rd session for approval by the Provincial People's Council delegates. Public opinion and feedback should be sought to improve the quality of these resolutions.

Comrade Cao Thi Hien also requested the Provincial People's Committee to actively direct departments and agencies to expedite the preparation of reports, submissions, and draft resolutions, ensuring progress and quality; to direct all levels and sectors to address voters' requests thoroughly and effectively; and to inspect and evaluate the implementation of the new rural development program in a realistic manner, thereby proposing solutions and measures to ensure its sustainable implementation.

Minh Chi