Speed ​​up the disbursement of capital to implement national target programs in Tuong Duong district

On the afternoon of March 15, a working delegation of the Provincial People's Committee led by Mr. Bui Dinh Long - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee had a working session with the People's Committee of Tuong Duong district to inspect the implementation of the National Target Program on socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas and the National Target Program on sustainable poverty reduction for the period 2021 - 2025.

Also attending were representatives of the provincial Ethnic Committee and the departments of Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs, Planning and Investment, Agriculture and Rural Development.

Overview of the meeting. Photo: Minh Quan

ChapterNational target program cannot be disbursed

According to the report of the People's Committee of Tuong Duong district, the National Target Program on socio-economic development of ethnic minority and mountainous areas is implemented in Tuong Duong district, including 12 communes in area 3, 5 communes in area 1 according to Decision No. 861/QD-TTg dated June 4, 2021 of the Prime Minister; 93 extremely disadvantaged villages according to Decision No. 612/QD-UBDT dated September 16, 2021 of the Minister, Chairman of the Ethnic Committee.

The leader of the People's Committee of Tuong Duong district said: In 2022, the central budget allocated to the district was more than 142 billion VND. Up to now, the Provincial People's Committee has allocated more than 98 billion VND, reaching nearly 70% of the assigned capital plan. However, by the end of February 2023, the district has not yet been able to disburse because the projects have not completed investment procedures.

In 2023, the central budget allocated to the district is more than 151 billion VND to invest in the construction of 01 new project approved by the district; 38 transitional projects; housing support. By December 31, 2022, the Provincial People's Committee had allocated nearly 70 billion VND, reaching more than 46% of the assigned capital plan; by February 2023, no capital had been disbursed.

View of a village in Luong Minh commune, Tuong Duong district. Photo: Thanh Cuong

Regarding the National Target Program on Sustainable Poverty Reduction, in the period from 2021 to March 2023, the Central budget supported the district with 73,666.5 million VND to implement the National Target Program on Sustainable Poverty Reduction in the area, of which development investment capital was 67,010.84 million VND; career capital was 6,655.68 million VND.

As of March 10, 2023, the district has disbursed 693,571 million VND, reaching 0.94% of the assigned capital, of which the disbursement of career capital is 693,571/6,655.68 million VND, reaching 10.4%; most of the projects and sub-projects are in the process of preparation for implementation, the specific volume has not been determined, leading to the results of implementing the goals and tasks not meeting the progress compared to the set plan.

Comrade Dinh Hong Vinh - Chairman of the People's Committee of Tuong Duong district raised the difficulties and obstacles of Tuong Duong district in implementing national target programs in the district. Photo: Minh Quan

According to the People's Committee of Tuong Duong district, the reason for the slow disbursement of capital for the two national target programs, in addition to the common difficulties of the province, the district also faces difficulties due to the serious lack of implementation apparatus.

Specifically, the District Project Management Board lacks management personnel and technical staff; in addition, the District Project Management Board is having to coordinate with the police to conduct investigations into the implementation of investment projects at the board, which greatly affects the progress of implementation. The Finance and Planning Department, the standing agency responsible for general advice, is lacking specialists in the investment planning department.

Need to take more drastic action

Speaking at the meeting, representatives of departments and branches shared the difficulties and obstacles that Tuong Duong district encountered in implementing national target programs in the district, such as: The target program includes many projects, sub-projects, large-scale projects and component contents managed and guided by many central ministries, departments and branches for implementation, some ministries, departments and branches guided slow implementation.

Representatives of departments and branches attended the meeting in Tuong Duong district. Photo: Minh Quan

In addition, capital allocated for projects is late, the number of projects is large, the total investment is large, the implementation time is short, and national target programs are deployed simultaneously at the same time in the area, leading to many difficulties in implementation.

To speed up the disbursement of capital to implement national target programs in Tuong Duong district, representatives of departments and branches suggested that the district should review each specific content, clearly identify difficulties, obstacles as well as responsibilities of related departments and district levels; closely follow the instructions of superiors, strengthen management, direction and operation to speed up the progress of projects; further promote information, propaganda, and timely dissemination of regulations and instructions on policies and guidelines of the programs, and at the same time organize training courses to improve capacity for investors, project owners and officials at all levels, and communities to implement programs and projects.

Speaking at the meeting, comrade Bui Dinh Long - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee pointed out that, compared to other mountainous localities, the disbursement of capital for the National Target Program on Socio-Economic Development of Ethnic Minorities and Mountainous Areas and the National Target Program on Sustainable Poverty Reduction for the 2021-2025 period of Tuong Duong district is behind schedule.

Comrade Bui Dinh Long - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee requested the Steering Committee of National Target Programs of Tuong Duong district to take more drastic measures to speed up the disbursement of capital for the programs. Photo: Minh Quan

"In addition to objective reasons, we must frankly admit that the district is still confused in directing, operating, and implementing projects," emphasized comrade Bui Dinh Long.

The Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee requested that in the coming time, the Steering Committee for National Target Programs of the district, after being reorganized, needs to take more drastic action, clearly assign tasks to members in charge of projects and areas; review each specific project, regularly monitor, inspect, supervise, and evaluate the implementation of programs and projects, promptly report to all levels and sectors to ask for guidance and remove difficulties and obstacles in the implementation process.

Comrade Bui Dinh Long also requested that departments and branches strengthen their adherence to their functions and tasks, and provide specific guidance and advice to district departments and offices in the process of implementing projects to help the district speed up the progress of disbursing capital to implement national target programs.