Proactively remove obstacles when implementing poverty reduction programs and developing ethnic minority areas

Working scene. Photo: MH

On the afternoon of June 13, the working group of the National Assembly's supervision delegation had a meeting with the Provincial Ethnic Committee and the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs of Nghe An province according to the program of supervising two national target programs on sustainable poverty reduction and socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas of the province.

The National Assembly working group is headed by Comrade Tran Thi Thanh Lam - Standing Member of the National Assembly's Social Committee, Head of the working group.

Also attending the meeting were comrades: Cao Thi Xuan - Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly's Ethnic Council; Thai Thi An Chung - Member of the Provincial Party Executive Committee, Deputy Head of the Provincial National Assembly Delegation; representatives of the Provincial People's Council Standing Committee and leaders of the Department of Planning and Investment, Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, and Provincial Ethnic Committee.

Comrade Vi Van Son - Member of the Provincial Party Executive Committee, Head of the Ethnic Minorities Committee of Nghe An province reported to the National Assembly working group on the results of implementing the socio-economic development program for ethnic minority areas in the province. Photo: MH

Focus on solving urgent problems

Reporting to the National Assembly working group, Head of the Provincial Ethnic Committee Vi Van Son stated: the characteristics of the ethnic minority and mountainous areas of Nghe An province account for 83% of the natural area and 41% of the province's population (ethnic minorities alone include 47 ethnic groups and account for 14.76% of the province's population). The poverty rate is high, especially in 4 poor districts, 27 difficult border communes; and 3 communes do not have car roads to the commune center.

Comrade Cao Thi Xuan - Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly's Ethnic Council requested clarification of some difficulties in implementing the socio-economic development program for ethnic minority and mountainous areas. Photo: MH

Implementing Resolution No. 120 of the National Assembly on the National Target Program on Socio-Economic Development of Ethnic Minorities and Mountainous Areas, 2021-2030 period, the Provincial Ethnic Committee was assigned as the Standing Agency of the program to coordinate with 8 departments, branches and 12 districts and towns to implement in 131 communes. The implementation content includes 10 projects, 14 sub-projects, and 36 investment support contents.

At the meeting, delegates analyzed and clarified many difficulties, shortcomings and problems in the implementation of the National Target Program on socio-economic development of ethnic minority and mountainous areas in Nghe An province.

The biggest difficulty is that there are currently too many focal points in implementation; each department and sector is the investor of a project, while coordination is still limited. On the other hand, there are many contents and sub-projects that do not have a specific legal basis for implementation and are waiting for the central ministries and sectors to amend and supplement.

Deputy Head of the Provincial National Assembly Delegation, Thai Thi An Chung, proposed to review poor households to ensure their reality and overcome the situation of not wanting to escape poverty to continue to enjoy support policies (if any). Photo: MH

On the one hand, the fear of making mistakes among officials currently also affects the progress of program implementation. There are still 8 projects chaired by departments and districts that have not completed investment procedures to submit for capital allocation according to regulations.

Focus on accurately screening poor households

Regarding Resolution No. 24 of the National Assembly on approving the investment policy of the National Target Program on Sustainable Poverty Reduction for the 2021-2025 period, the Party Committee, government and the entire political system from the provincial to grassroots levels are interested in implementing and directing; mobilizing the strength of the social community to participate.

Director of the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs Doan Hong Vu spoke at the meeting. Photo: MH

Through the implementation of support projects from the poverty reduction program and mobilizing socialized resources, the average poverty rate of the whole province in 2022 continued to decrease by 1.39%; of which the mountainous area decreased by 2.45% and the 4 poor districts decreased by 4.94%.

Deputy Director of the Department of Planning and Investment Phan Van Hoan reflected on some difficulties in implementing projects to support poverty reduction and socio-economic development programs in ethnic minority areas. Photo: MH

However, the progress of disbursing program capital is slow, reaching a low rate; most projects and sub-projects are in the process of implementation, and the specific volume for implementation has not been determined.

At the meeting, members of the National Assembly's working group were interested in proposing that the province study solutions to remove difficulties for poor people who are unable to work and are prone to falling into "sustainable" poverty.

Standing Member of the National Assembly's Social Committee Tran Thi Thanh Lam - Head of the working group requested departments, branches and sectors to proactively overcome and propose to the Central Government to remove current difficulties and obstacles. Photo: MH

Along with that, it is necessary to pay attention to reviewing poor households to ensure their reality, overcoming the situation of not wanting to escape poverty to continue to enjoy support policies (if any); at the same time, focusing on removing difficulties, obstacles, and limitations, ensuring the progress of program implementation, solving urgent problems, improving people's lives, promoting sustainable poverty reduction, especially in ethnic minority and mountainous areas.

Based on the practical implementation, the National Assembly's working group also hopes that the provincial departments, branches and sectors will proactively overcome and propose to the Central Government to remove current difficulties and obstacles.