Staying close to the pulse of people's lives.

(Baonghean) - Recently, the National Assembly delegates of the 14th term - the Nghe An Provincial National Assembly Delegation - held a meeting with constituents following the first session. It can be said that this was a meeting where constituents frankly discussed and raised many "hot" issues with the National Assembly delegates they had trusted and elected in the recent election.

Conversely, National Assembly deputies also played their role as elected representatives by listening to, absorbing, and promptly addressing many of the issues raised.

Concerns and responsibilities

With a frank attitude and exercising their right to self-governance, voters reflected on many practical issues and shortcomings at the grassroots level, hoping that National Assembly deputies would promptly convey them to the National Assembly forum and that state agencies would find solutions to address them.

Voter Nguyen Xuan Dinh, Head of the Agriculture and Rural Development Department of Quynh Luu district, pointed out the current situation: Decree 67 expired at the end of December 2016, but banks had only signed credit contracts for the construction of 20 fishing vessels. Furthermore, some banks are hesitant to lend.

"This is a sound policy, in line with the aspirations of fishermen. Therefore, I propose that the Government continue to extend the implementation period and pay attention to resolving difficulties and accelerating the loan process for fishermen," said voter Dinh.

Voters in Hoang Mai town express their opinions.

This issue was also raised by voter Vu Thi Luan, Chairwoman of the Fatherland Front Committee of Quynh Long commune, Quynh Luu district, representing the voters of this coastal commune, so that fishermen can have the conditions to build larger ships to venture further out to sea and maintain their livelihoods.

Agriculture, rural areas, and farmers, in conjunction with the implementation of the National Target Program for building new rural areas, are also issues that many voters have raised with National Assembly deputies. Speaking to deputies from electoral district No. 4, voter Nguyen Phuong Phu, Vice Chairman of the Thanh Chuong District Farmers' Association, asked:

The National Assembly, the Government, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development pay a great deal of attention to the policies on agriculture, rural areas, and farmers. However, how effective are these policies? The discussion also highlighted the reality that food prices remain unchanged, while input costs such as fertilizers and agricultural supplies have increased significantly.

"I propose that the National Assembly oversee the input materials for fertilizer and agricultural supplies production to ensure reasonable prices. This will lead to a higher standard of living for farmers and make them more enthusiastic about farming," Mr. Phu said.

A steel-hulled fishing vessel belonging to a fisherman from Hoang Mai town was newly built according to Decree 67. (Photo: Archival image)

Also related to rural areas, Mr. Nguyen Viet Thanh - Deputy Director of the Population Center of Thanh Chuong district, expressed his concern: "We need policies to bring factories to rural areas to create local jobs. Universities and colleges must link their training programs to job opportunities. We cannot use colleges and universities for business purposes."

Responding to voters' opinions on this issue, the State Auditor General Ho Duc Phoc - a member of the 14th National Assembly - said that he will provide feedback to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, including including fertilizers in the list of goods managed by the State for supervision and inspection to ensure quality for farmers.

Mr. Ho Duc Phoc also informed voters about Nghe An province's solutions for attracting investment and bringing factories to rural areas to create jobs for local people.

During this meeting, voters in Do Luong district raised concerns about shortcomings in the new rural development program. Speaking in the assembly hall before a large number of voters, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Le Quang Huy, a member of the 14th National Assembly, stated that some criteria for new rural development are currently unsuitable.

The rural road system in Hoa Son commune, Do Luong district, has been systematically invested in, in conjunction with the planning for the construction of large-scale model rice fields.

"Some localities are pursuing new rural development but are chasing achievements despite limited resources. As a result, outstanding debts are very high. We will propose that criteria be set to suit each locality and its practical situation, because every commune cannot be treated the same way," said Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Le Quang Huy.

There are many other issues concerning people's lives that voters across the province trust and "commission" to the National Assembly deputies. Through this, it is hoped that, in their role as a bridge between voters and the government at all levels and relevant agencies, elected representatives will contribute to improving and adjusting policies to better suit real-life situations and meet the aspirations of the majority of voters and the people.

Directing immediate action

Voter Dinh Trong Thuy, Chairman of the Fatherland Front Committee of Tan Son commune, Quynh Luu district, reflected: Recently, a business from Vinh City organized a land auction under contract. While the auction was conducted according to legal regulations, there were significant loopholes leading to land speculation. The auction of 59 land plots in the commune attracted 300 land speculators from various locations, causing public outrage. The Fatherland Front Committee of the commune was also prevented from participating in the supervision.

"I propose that National Assembly delegates recommend to the relevant authorities to amend the legal regulations, or if amendments are not possible, to strengthen state management measures to curb the practice of brokers in land auctions. On the day of the auction, they took 2 billion VND from the people of Tan Son," Mr. Thuy said angrily.

Responding to voters on this issue, Provincial Party Secretary Nguyen Dac Vinh - a member of the 14th National Assembly - assessed that, as the commune provided information, the rampant activity of land brokers in land auctions is the responsibility of the auction organizing unit.

Provincial Party Secretary Nguyen Dac Vinh responds to voters' petitions.

Accordingly, the Provincial Party Secretary requested that Quynh Luu district re-examine the situation. If such incidents are found, all subsequent auctions must be rectified, and if sufficient evidence is available, the auction company must be severely punished. Local residents should not be forced to pay "brokerage fees" when bidding on land.

Similarly, at a meeting with constituents in Anh Son district, voter Nguyen Thanh Minh from Hoi Son commune reported that the head of the commune's police force was collecting fees for ID card issuance in violation of regulations. Specifically, they were charging an additional 10,000 VND per person, under the pretext of providing hand sanitizer, application forms, and adhesive. As the head of the provincial police force, Colonel Nguyen Huu Cau – a member of the 14th National Assembly – requested that the police force in charge of administrative management in Anh Son district provide an explanation to the constituents.

The district police investigated the matter and requested the head of the commune's police force to return the money to the people, but most of them refused to accept it. The head of the commune's police force was subsequently removed from the list of commune-level People's Council members. Further disciplinary action will be considered and handled by the commune authorities.

"If you can't help, then don't, but don't charge people even 1,000 dong extra. If people have any grievances or complaints about the security and order situation, they should speak up, and if I can, I will resolve them thoroughly right here," Colonel Nguyen Huu Cau affirmed to the voters.

Members of Parliament interact with constituents.

Reporting to voters in Con Cuong district, Colonel Nguyen Huu Cau said that during an election campaign with voters in the district three months ago, he received feedback about the prevalence of illegal lottery and gambling activities in the district town.

Immediately after receiving the complaint, the Provincial Police Director requested the Criminal Investigation Department to investigate. As a result, the Provincial Police dismantled a gambling den involving lottery and football betting, initiated a criminal case, prosecuted 8 defendants, and clarified that the amount of money gambled exceeded 70 million VND.

In addition, Colonel Nguyen Huu Cau also directed the Con Cuong District Police to focus on investigating and dismantling several other gambling dens.

Voters openly express their opinions and concerns; National Assembly deputies listen, receive, and address them with an open mind, creating a democratic and vibrant atmosphere that builds trust among voters and the people. This affirms the role of elected representatives and contributes to building a National Assembly that closely reflects the realities of people's lives.

Thanh Duy - Tien Hung