New circular regulating citizen reception procedures

The Circular clearly states that the purpose of receiving citizens is to guide citizens in exercising their rights to complain, denounce, make recommendations, and reflect in accordance with legal regulations, contributing to the dissemination and popularization of the law.

At the same time, receive complaints, denunciations, recommendations and reflections under the authority of the Head of the state administrative agency for consideration and resolution in accordance with the provisions of law.

Citizen reception officers may refuse to receive citizens in the cases specified in Article 9 of the Law on Citizen Reception and must explain to citizens the reasons for refusal and report to the person in charge of citizen reception.

In case of refusal to receive citizens according to the provisions of Clause 3, Article 9 of the Law on Citizen Reception, the head of the agency or unit in charge of receiving citizens shall issue a Notice of refusal to receive citizens.

Identify the identity of the complainant and the accuser

In addition, the Circular also clearly states that when receiving complainants, the person receiving citizens must ask them to clearly state their full name, address and present their identification papers, letters of introduction, and letters of authorization (if any).

When receiving a whistleblower, petitioner or complainant, the citizen receptionist shall request the whistleblower, petitioner or complainant to state their full name, address and present their identification documents. During the process of receiving the whistleblower, the citizen receptionist shall keep the whistleblower's full name, address and handwriting confidential in accordance with the provisions of the law on denunciation.

Overview of the regular citizen reception session in October 2021 of the Chairman of Nghe An Provincial People's Committee. Photo: Thanh Duy

In addition, the Circular also clearly stipulates the responsibilities of heads of agencies and units in directly receiving citizens. Specifically, heads of agencies and units must directly receive citizens to listen, consider, resolve and direct the resolution of complaints, denunciations, recommendations and reflections under their authority or under the authority of heads of subordinate agencies and units in the work of receiving citizens, handling petitions and resolving complaints, denunciations, recommendations and reflections.

The head of an agency or unit is responsible for receiving citizens periodically or unexpectedly according to the provisions of the Law on Citizen Reception and inspecting and urging the handling of citizens after receiving them by agencies or units.

At the end of the citizen reception, the head of the agency or unit issues a notice concluding the citizen reception.

This Circular takes effect from November 15, 2021.