Establishing a two-tiered government: The Party's will aligns with the people's aspirations.
The revolution to streamline the organizational structure of the political system is gaining high consensus among officials, Party members, and the people in Nghe An province. Nghe An Newspaper has recorded some opinions shared by officials, Party members, and people in the province.
The revolution to streamline the organizational structure of the political system is gaining high consensus among officials, Party members, and the people in Nghe An province. Nghe An Newspaper has recorded some opinions shared by officials, Party members, and people in the province.
Mai Hoa(Note) • 03/05/2025
Abolishing district-level administrative units and streamlining commune-level administrative units is a historic decision of the Party; it affirms the Party's strong determination to reform the administrative system, including the reform of the state administrative apparatus.
Having worked at the district level for many years, I clearly see that the main function and task of the district level is to convey, guide, inspect, supervise, and remind the grassroots level about the implementation of directives from higher levels; while the commune level is the one that directly implements the content and tasks, bringing policies and guidelines into practice.
At a level with a complete apparatus but only performing "intermediate" tasks; especially now, as our country is strongly promoting the application of information technology in leadership, management, and administration, undergoing a robust digital transformation with the digitization of all data, implementing the "Digital Literacy Movement," and applying AI in all fields, maintaining the intermediate apparatus at the district level is unnecessary. Therefore, the central government's decision to abolish the district level is an extremely correct and timely historical decision.
The central government and Nghe An province need to focus on establishing clear coordination regulations between the provincial and commune levels, while also clearly defining the functions, tasks, and powers of the provincial and commune levels after abolishing the district level, in order to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the two-tiered government apparatus. In conjunction with this, guidance and direction are needed regarding the arrangement and placement of officials not only at the commune level but also in provincial departments and agencies, ensuring they are both politically sound and professionally competent, meeting the demands of the new era, the era of national progress.
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The policy of abolishing the district level and reorganizing administrative units at the commune level is receiving strong support and approval from officials, Party members, and the people, due to many visible benefits: Abolishing the district level will reduce the intermediate apparatus between the province and the commune, decrease staffing levels, and reduce budget expenditures for the administrative apparatus, thereby freeing up resources for development investment and public services. The central government's policy of waiving tuition fees for students from preschool to high school starting in September 2025 and aiming for universal free medical care is truly bringing joy and excitement to the people.
On the other hand, it aims to enhance the proactiveness and "self-determination" of the commune level, promoting the implementation of policies and guidelines from the central and provincial governments, as well as addressing the needs and rights of people and businesses more quickly and promptly... At the same time, it expands the space and conditions to promote socio-economic development for each locality, all working towards the ultimate goal of improving the lives of the people.
The issue raised by officials and the people is that the team of commune-level officials must possess sufficient qualifications, capabilities, enthusiasm, and responsibility. Therefore, it is requested that the competent authorities pay attention to selecting and assigning high-quality commune-level officials based on objective and honest assessments of the existing district and commune-level officials using specific criteria and standards, creating conditions and opportunities for truly qualified, capable, enthusiastic, and responsible officials to continue participating in the administrative apparatus and serving the people.
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The policy of merging communes on a larger scale and abolishing the district level, being implemented by the Central Government and provincial authorities, affirms that "the will of the Party and the aspirations of the people" are one. Although this is an "unprecedented strategic decision," as General Secretary To Lam emphasized, and has not yet been implemented in practice, through the political system, mass media, and social networks, cadres, Party members, and the people have quite clearly grasped the positive impacts of this historic policy. These include reducing intermediate layers, streamlining the bureaucracy, and directly benefiting citizens and businesses by eliminating the need for multiple steps, repeated trips, and wasted time and travel costs in conducting transactions.
From the State's perspective, reducing budget expenditures to maintain the operation of the administrative apparatus, decreasing the number of employees, and reducing salary payments for officials will free up resources for socio-economic development and improving the quality of life for the people. Ultimately, the people will be the beneficiaries. Based on these positive impacts, I, and based on public opinion, agree with and support the policy of abolishing the district level and reorganizing, merging, and expanding the scale of the commune level. The important thing is that the operation of the two-tiered government apparatus, starting from July 1, 2025, when the district level is abolished, must ensure the effectiveness of the system. Because people now not only need a government that is close to them, but more importantly, a government that operates efficiently, better serving the legitimate needs of the people, and ensuring that citizens and businesses are not disadvantaged or face difficulties in accessing public services.
When the Party's will aligns with the people's will, the people are ready to support it. We, the people, are not afraid of change when that change is for the common good of the country and our homeland, and serves the people better.