National Assembly delegates from Nghe An province discuss amendments to the Law on Public Investment.

Speaking in the discussion, Mr. Tran Nhat Minh - a National Assembly delegate from Nghe An province - agreed with the proposal to decentralize the decision-making process for investment policies of Group B and Group C projects from People's Councils at all levels to People's Committees at all levels. He stated that this regulation is very necessary, especially as we are shifting our mindset and management methods from "pre-approval" to "post-approval," and from "management" to "development-oriented management."

Because these projects were already included in the list of medium-term or annual public investment projects approved by the People's Council, the People's Council's continued approval of the investment policy for each project, according to the representative, is merely a procedural matter.

Therefore, this decentralization will streamline procedures to expedite the investment approval process, reduce administrative procedures, shorten timelines, and bring projects into implementation sooner.

In particular, according to the delegates, decentralizing the decision-making power regarding project policies from the People's Council to the People's Committee has created conditions for the People's Committee to be proactive in the process of organizing and implementing projects, for example, in adjusting investment policies to suit actual conditions and the viewpoint of "promoting decentralization and delegation of power" with the motto "locality decides, locality does, locality is responsible".

"In my opinion, in this case, it is appropriate for the People's Council to strengthen its supervision of these projects in accordance with the law," said representative Tran Nhat Minh.

On the other hand, the 2019 Public Investment Law stipulates a transitional limit of 20% for projects implemented in the next phase, which serves as the legal basis for deciding on investment policies for projects transitioning through two medium-term plans, facilitating the early allocation of capital for projects within this phase.

However, recent implementation in some localities has shown that the 20% limit is insufficient to decide on investment policies for large-scale projects, some of which have significant transitional components to later stages but require immediate funding in this phase.

Some opinions also suggest removing the 20% limit, meaning opening up the possibility for local authorities to approve projects according to their needs. However, Representative Tran Nhat Minh argued that legal regulations must both facilitate development and ensure effective management, avoiding excessive laxity that leads to arbitrariness, widespread misuse, and failure to secure resources.

Therefore, he expressed support for the Government's proposal in this amendment to the Law on Public Investment to increase the transitional limit for projects implemented in two consecutive medium-term public investment plans from 20% to 50% of the medium-term public investment plan.

"Thus, on the one hand, the 20% limit remains in place to ensure balance and prevent the depletion of funds in the later stages, but on the other hand, flexibility is allowed up to 50% in truly necessary cases, with the permission of the competent authority, creating a basis for approval and ensuring the readiness of projects," Representative Tran Nhat Minh commented.

In addition, the delegate from Nghe An province suggested that the drafting committee should study and standardize regulations on outstanding debts for basic construction and debt repayment arrangements in the draft Law to avoid inconsistencies and conflicts.