Cheers to Directive 17!
(Baonghean) - Recently, we went to Thach Son village, Thach Ngan commune (Con Cuong) to attend a meeting with Dan Lai women organized by the district Women's Union. After the meeting, the commune invited district-level delegates and other communes to lunch. Normally, we would find a way to avoid it and go to a cheap restaurant to "avoid alcohol" and to ensure the effectiveness of our afternoon work as well as safety on the road. But that day it was almost impossible, because it was past noon, and in this remote area, it was not easy to find a cheap restaurant.
Like many other times, we prepared ourselves to “go! go!” and thought of ways to “retreat” when we could no longer “stay”. But when we sat down, we looked around and saw absolutely no trays of alcohol, beer, or cups. Everyone ate and chatted, without raising their glasses, draining their glasses, or toasting each other. Surprisingly, I immediately asked the district cadre sitting next to me and learned that for a long time, cadres and party members in Thach Ngan had strictly implemented Directive 17-CT/TU of the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee on “Strengthening discipline and administrative order in agencies and units in the province”. The content of Directive 17 included many issues related to cadres, party members, civil servants and public employees, pointing out the phenomenon of abusing alcohol and beer during working hours, affecting the work efficiency of individuals and agencies and units. From there, make a rule not to drink alcohol before, during working hours, lunch break on working days and on duty days. At the same time, limit drinking alcohol on days off to ensure health and reputation in the community.
It is true that no one drank alcohol or beer that day, but that did not make the party any less intimate. On the contrary, the conversation became more and more lively, cheerful and friendly. In fact, most of the cadres, party members, civil servants and public employees did not want to drink too much alcohol or beer, but because of a habit, an old concept, they were forced to follow the "village custom". In fact, both the host and the guests did not want to drink much, but the long-standing concept was that guests must be welcomed enthusiastically and must drink to their heart's content. At first, the guests might be hesitant, but before the host's "enthusiasm", they continuously "reciprocated". So they "drank and drank", invited and invited again until they were tipsy, some people got drunk, the meal lasted for several hours. In that situation, some people took the afternoon off work, or if they did get to the office, they worked inefficiently, sometimes causing arguments. But that lunch at Thach Ngan only lasted about 30 minutes, everyone happily said goodbye to go home to rest and work in the afternoon.
It is known that in early December 2013, after receiving instructions from higher levels, the Commune Party Committee held a conference to disseminate to the heads of departments, organizations, Party cell secretaries and village chiefs the spirit of Directive 17-CT/TU and requested their serious implementation. Immediately after that, at the summary conferences of the departments, if any parties were held, alcohol was not used. The Commune Party Committee Secretary added that in the near future, the Commune will have its cadres, party members, civil servants and public employees sign a commitment to strictly implement Directive 17 of the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee and will strictly discipline violators.
On the way back, we felt really happy and comfortable because of the effectiveness of the business trip and suddenly thought, if we were to do it seriously everywhere like in Thach Ngan, we would save some money, maintain our health and work efficiency while still being happy and friendly.
Cong Kien
