Delegate Nguyen Huu Cau: 'The State Audit needs to step in to clarify electricity prices so people can feel secure'
Although the Ministry of Industry and Trade has reported on the adjustment of electricity and gasoline prices, delegate Nguyen Huu Cau said that the State Audit should clarify.
Discussing in groups about the results of the implementation of the Government's socio-economic development plan and budget, on the morning of May 22, delegate Nguyen Huu Cau (Nghe An delegation) emphasized that voters are very interested in the issue of adjusting electricity and gasoline prices, and although the Ministry has explained the calculation mechanism, it needs to be clarified more to reassure people.
"Voters do not know how to calculate prices, but they know that price increases will affect their lives, and compared to other prices, price increases for this item are not suitable for voters," said delegate Nguyen Huu Cau, who requested the State Audit to re-audit electricity and gasoline prices to see if they are in accordance with the agencies' proposals.
“If there is an audit and a response, whether it increases or decreases, people will see transparency. People say that price increases affect their income and life, but the most important thing is trust and transparency in price management. The audit should get involved to reassure voters,” Mr. Nguyen Huu Cau suggested.
|
| Delegate Nguyen Huu Cau spoke at Nghe An group on the morning of May 22. |
At the Nghe An group, also expressing her opinion on this issue, delegate Le Thu Ha - Standing Member of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs Committee said that after consulting with many economists, the actual electricity price did not increase by 8.36% as announced.
"I agree with delegate Nguyen Huu Cau, perhaps the State Audit should be involved in auditing the calculation of electricity input prices as well as electricity trading" - Ms. Ha expressed her opinion.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade has sent a report to the delegates regarding this issue, but the female delegate from Lao Cai delegation said that it has not met the voters' requirements. For example, the Ministry explained that the 6-level progressive calculation is the reference basis of some countries such as the US and South Korea, but according to Ms. Le Thu Ha, in these countries they have many accompanying policies. For example, in the US, there are many agencies that provide electricity and compete, distinguishing between business and household electricity prices. In addition, low-income households receive significant discounts so as not to greatly affect people's lives.
Similarly, in Korea, the government also reduced electricity prices to help households overcome the hot weather, because they considered it a natural disaster and people's lives needed to be guaranteed. This country also reduced prices for low-income households, welfare facilities, families with small children...
"We copy the ladder but the accompanying policy for the people has not been demonstrated yet" - delegate Le Thu Ha said, at the same time expressing agreement with the progressive calculation method, but the level of progression to meet the minimum living needs of the people needs to be calculated and considered.
Ms. Le Thu Ha suggested that there should be a clear answer about what the electricity price compensation policy actually is and whether this issue is related to the electricity price increase or not.Regarding long-term solutions, in addition to focusing on investing in developing renewable energy such as solar and wind energy, "it is time to think about diversifying the components participating in electricity distribution". Because the reality of the aviation industry shows that people have more choices after private units participate.