Nghe An Department of Construction needs to have many 'channels' to assess people's satisfaction level

On the afternoon of August 19, the Provincial Party Committee's Inspection Team No. 9 led by Comrade Cao Thi Hien - Member of the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Council, had a working session with the Department of Construction on the results of the implementation of the Project to promote administrative reform (AR); improve the quality of cadres, civil servants and public employees in the period of 2016 - 2020. Attending the meeting were members of the Provincial Party Committee: Le Ngoc Hoa - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; Kha Van Tam - Deputy Head of the Provincial Party Committee's Propaganda Department. Photo: Thanh Le

Disciplined 2 civil servants for processing overdue documents

Reporting to the inspection team, the leader of the Department of Construction said: The Department has accelerated progress, completed and shortened the time to process procedures for investors and businesses. As a result, in 3 years (2016 - 2018), 1,053 applications were processed ahead of schedule; in the first 7 months of 2019, 1,139 applications were processed ahead of schedule.

The Department of Construction has reduced the time for processing documents in the investment process chain and procedures, including basic design appraisal, technical design appraisal and construction permit issuance, from 120 days to 63 days.

In 2018, the Department reduced 25% to 50% of processing time in 6 areas: Planning and technical infrastructure, construction activities, construction licensing, construction materials, compensation and resettlement support when the State reclaims land and real estate.

Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Le Ngoc Hoa spoke at the meeting. Photo: Thanh Le

Since the beginning of 2016, the Department of Construction has advised the Provincial People's Council and People's Committee on 24 quality legal documents on schedule; proposed the Ministry of Construction to issue 16 administrative procedures (AP) under the authority of the Department of Construction to have a basis for implementation; reviewed 100% of the systematized legal documents, promptly advised on amendments, supplements, abolitions, and cancellations. The Department has made public 47 APs under its authority.

Administrative reform at the Department of Construction is closely linked to emulation, rewards, and strict handling of officials and civil servants who violate regulations. In 2017, the Department of Construction disciplined 2 civil servants with reprimands for processing documents beyond the deadline.

Acting Director of the Department of Construction Le Truong Giang reports on the results of the unit's administrative reform work. Photo: Thanh Le

In addition, the Department of Construction stated that the application of information technology in State management is still slow compared to requirements, especially the application of levels 3 and 4 has not been put into practice, the manual rate in the implementation process is still high, people still have to travel to submit documents and receive results; documents are returned late and not on time; the satisfaction level of people and businesses is not as expected, ...

Handling violations in the construction sector

At the meeting, the inspection team requested the Department of Construction to clarify the following contents: institutional reform; construction licensing, especially licensing of high-rise and apartment projects; construction projects that are not in accordance with planning; coordination between the Department of Construction and departments, branches and localities in handling administrative procedures; assessment of satisfaction of people and businesses, etc.

Handling administrative procedures at the Reception and Result Delivery Department of the Department of Construction. Photo: Thanh Le

Acting Director of the Department of Construction Le Truong Giang informed and clarified the contents of the inspection team's request, in which regarding the construction of apartment buildings, through inspection of 70 apartment buildings in the province, 8 apartment buildings violated construction planning and design. These apartment buildings were all built before 2017, currently the Department is advising the Provincial People's Committee to handle violations in accordance with the provisions of the Law.

Concluding the meeting, Vice Chairwoman of the Provincial People's Council Cao Thi Hien highly appreciated the results achieved in administrative reform work of the Department of Construction.

However, the Department of Construction is a unit involved in many complex and sensitive fields, so it is necessary to have "channels" to assess the level of satisfaction of people and businesses with the style, manners, responsibility as well as the quality of work handling of cadres and civil servants.

Construction Department staff performing professional duties. Photo: Thanh Le

The Department also needs to continue reviewing and cutting down administrative procedures under its authority, proposing amendments and supplements; promoting the application of information technology in State management; reorganizing the apparatus to be effective and efficient; providing high-level online public services; strengthening inspection and examination to improve the effectiveness of State management in the construction sector, etc.