Implementing grassroots democracy in Quynh Luu

(Baonghean) - Over the years, the Party Committee and government of Quynh Luu district have extensively implemented the regulations on grassroots democracy, promoting the people's right to self-governance. This has fostered close ties and consensus between the people and the Party committee and government, contributing to socio-economic development.

The inspection team from the Nghe An Newspaper's grassroots democracy committee visited the rattan and bamboo weaving village in Quynh Dien commune. (Quynh Luu).

Solve the problem at the grassroots level.

Regarding Quynh Dien commune (Quynh Luu district), we were quite surprised to learn that this purely agricultural commune has a poverty rate of only 3.17% - the lowest in Quynh Luu district, with per capita income reaching 18-20 million VND/year. Mr. Nguyen Van Lang - Chairman of the People's Committee of Quynh Dien commune proudly shared: This result is primarily due to the local Party committee and government, from the commune to the hamlets, effectively implementing the grassroots democracy regulations, creating trust and consensus among the people. In addition to publicly disclosing information as required, especially regarding capital contributions from the people for infrastructure development, taxes, funds, and the results of poverty household assessments. The Party Committee and the local government also attach importance to the exercise of democratic rights and the contribution of the people in discussing and supervising the activities of the commune and villages, such as economic development programs, poverty alleviation, construction of public works, planning, and land use plans... For example, to gather people's opinions on the plan to build a community hall or cultural center, the commune directs the villages to hold public meetings so that people can be informed and participate in the discussion; for those who are absent, opinion forms are sent to their homes.

Periodically, the commune's grassroots democracy steering committee conducts inspections of implementation in each hamlet and village; afterward, they issue decisions clearly outlining the strengths and weaknesses that need to be addressed in each hamlet. This helps the Party committee and government to promptly address problems at the grassroots level, while also monitoring the rectification of shortcomings in the implementation of grassroots democracy in each area. Previously, hamlet meetings were often poorly attended, but now the attendance rate has reached 85%. Mr. Tran Van Khai, head of Hamlet 1, said: “Thanks to full attendance at meetings, people not only keep up with policies and guidelines but also have their questions and concerns explained and resolved, preventing conflicts from arising.” Meanwhile, Mr. Nguyen Van Hung, Secretary of the Party Committee of Quynh Dien commune, affirmed: "The 'secret' to helping Quynh Dien effectively resolve outstanding petitions, complaints, and denunciations that have been prolonged and escalated to higher levels, creating momentum to contribute to the socio-economic development of the locality, is to promote democracy and resolve issues arising at the grassroots level."

Overall, in implementing Conclusion No. 65-KL/T.Ư of the Central Party Secretariat on democracy in communes and towns, and the content of Ordinance 34, the people's direct discussion and decision-making have been fully informed by the Party committees and local authorities in Quynh Luu district. To date, the entire district has 406 villages, hamlets, and communities that have developed and had their village regulations approved; all 33 communes and towns have strengthened their People's Inspection Committees and established People's Reception Councils, and issued regulations on People's Reception. In addition, in villages and hamlets, inter-family groups, inter-household mediation committees have been established to help each other in life and production, ensure security and order, and maintain environmental hygiene.

Openness and transparency

The implementation of democratic regulations in 138 administrative and public service units and some enterprises in Quynh Luu district has become well-established. Party branches and committees have resolutions to guide implementation, and heads of agencies and units have established steering committees to implement grassroots democracy, people's inspection committees, and mass organizations to participate in mobilization and supervision. In addition to operational and working regulations, agencies and units have internal spending regulations. Monthly meetings are maintained to assess work performance, implement tasks, and ensure transparency in finances and procurement so that officials and employees are aware. Planning for training, development, recruitment, promotion, salary increases, and awards are all made public, creating a sense of security and trust among officials and employees.

At Quynh Luu Water Supply Company Limited, although it is a production and service business unit, the implementation of grassroots democracy regulations for state-owned enterprises according to Government Decree 60/2013 is given priority by the company's leadership. In addition to publicly disclosing the eight tasks of state-owned enterprises to the Party Committee, Party branches, and all cadres and employees, the rights of supervision and inspection, as well as other rights of workers related to salary, bonuses, insurance, and labor protection, are also fully and publicly implemented under the supervision of the trade union and the People's Inspection Committee. Mr. Hoang Van Chuong - Director and Head of the Grassroots Democracy Regulations Committee of Quynh Luu Water Supply Company Limited, said: “By promoting democracy, we create great motivation for cadres, workers, and employees to become more committed and enthusiastic in participating in emulation movements, improving efficiency and effectiveness.”"The unit's production and business activities are carried out without labor disputes, complaints, or denunciations."

Emphasizing the importance of implementing grassroots democracy, Mr. Le Duc Cuong, Chairman of the People's Committee of Quynh Luu District, stated: The Steering Committee for the Implementation of Grassroots Democracy is the only committee funded by the district and is also the most effective. This is clearly demonstrated in its work of disseminating information and mobilizing awareness among officials and Party members about democracy and its implementation, fostering a sense of responsibility in participating in activities to improve the performance of villages, neighborhoods, agencies, and units. In the field of administrative reform, improving public service ethics, and focusing on rectifying the working style and conduct of officials and civil servants, it emphasizes respect for and responsibility towards the people. In addition to paying attention to and directing the one-stop service centers in 33 communes and districts, the committee also directs agencies and units to effectively apply the administrative procedures at the district level (203 procedures) and commune level (145 procedures), contributing to the quick resolution of issues and reducing inconvenience for citizens and businesses. Direct dialogue with citizens in sensitive and pressing areas such as land clearance, handling complaints and denunciations, and direct dialogue with businesses to resolve difficulties and obstacles has been emphasized by the People's Committee and the Steering Committee for Grassroots Democracy in the district. The Standing Committee and committees of the People's Council have strengthened supervision of the implementation of policies and resolutions from higher levels and resolutions of the People's Councils of communes and towns, as well as the issuance of legal documents; and the collection, expenditure, and management of various funds related to the implementation of grassroots democracy. As a result, the number of citizen complaints in the district has decreased significantly (35 fewer cases in the first six months compared to the same period last year), with a processing rate of complaints within their jurisdiction reaching 82%.

In an interview with us, Mr. Ho Sy Hai, Head of the People's Mobilization Committee and Deputy Head of the Steering Committee for Grassroots Democracy in the district, said: Thanks to promoting democracy, the locality has mobilized a significant amount of contributions from the people to invest in infrastructure development, serving socio-economic development. Especially from the people's resources, along with support from the State, the construction of new rural areas in Quynh Luu has achieved positive results. To date, the district has completed 30.2 km of rural roads under the province's cement support program in 2014, reaching 89% of the provincial support target. The total resources mobilized for the construction of new rural areas in the first six months of 2014 reached 361.1 billion VND, of which 12.73 billion VND came from the budget; many communes have met or nearly met the new rural area criteria, such as Quynh Luong (19/19 criteria), Quynh Doi (17 criteria), and Quynh Thach (16 criteria)...

Khanh Ly