Perform well the tasks of social supervision and criticism

(Baonghean) - The 2013 Constitution continues to affirm the supervisory role, while adding an important function - the social criticism function of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and mass organizations. To better understand the new role of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and mass organizations, Nghe An Newspaper reporters interviewed comrade Nguyen Van Huy - Provincial Party Committee member, Chairman of the Provincial Fatherland Front Committee on related issues.

Reporter:Could you please tell us about the practical implementation of the functions of supervision, social criticism, and participation in Party and government building of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and socio-political organizations in our province in recent times?

Comrade Nguyen Van Huy:Social supervision and criticism is an important task to contribute to the building of the Party and the government of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and mass organizations. Social supervision and criticism of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and mass organizations have been stipulated in the 1992 amended Constitution, the documents of the 10th and 11th National Congresses of the Party and a number of legal documents of the State... In particular, the 2013 Constitution continues to affirm the supervisory role, and at the same time adds an important function - the function of social criticism of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and mass organizations.

Representatives of the Provincial Fatherland Front joined the Provincial People's Council in wastewater treatment at Trang An Confectionery Company (Cua Lo). Photo: mh

In Nghe An, in performing the supervisory function, in recent times, the Provincial Fatherland Front has coordinated with the Nghe An National Assembly Delegation, the Standing Committee and the Provincial People's Council Committees to participate in programs to supervise the implementation of the law and the Provincial People's Council's Resolutions in many areas of social life; supervise the selection and appointment of judges and prosecutors; supervise the work of considering amnesty... At the district and commune levels, the Fatherland Front has also coordinated with the Standing Committee of the People's Council at the same level to supervise the implementation of the law and the implementation of the People's Council's Resolutions in the locality. The Fatherland Front and mass organizations have also supervised a number of specific tasks on their own, such as supervising the election of National Assembly deputies and People's Council deputies at all levels; organizing a number of delegations to supervise the implementation of the law in a number of agencies and organizations; a number of cases of handling complaints and denunciations of citizens...

It can be affirmed that the supervisory role of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and mass organizations has been carried out in recent times, which is quite rich and diverse. The opinions of the Vietnam Fatherland Front through supervisory activities have been accepted by agencies, organizations and supervised persons and many contents have been adjusted and overcome, creating practical effects, bringing trust to the people. However, there is a difficulty and problem that affects the performance of the supervisory function of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and mass organizations, which is that up to now, there has not been any specific guiding document assigning the Vietnam Fatherland Front and mass organizations to take the lead in performing the supervisory function. This leads to many contents and many issues that the Vietnam Fatherland Front has proposed through supervision that have not been accepted, handled and resolved promptly and effectively by competent agencies and organizations; even some issues have not been handled but there is no specific and clear mechanism to ensure that the Vietnam Fatherland Front and mass organizations implement them.

Regarding social criticism activities, in the past, it has mainly stopped at participating in giving opinions, proposals, and recommendations on draft policies, programs, projects, and resolutions of the People's Council, People's Committee, and state administrative agencies... Due to the lack of specific regulations, the Vietnam Fatherland Front has not taken the initiative to preside over independent criticisms related to all issues of orientation and policy planning..., leading to the role, effectiveness, and efficiency of social criticism of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and organizations not reaching their full potential.

Reporter:What is the significance of the Politburo's recent issuance of two decisions on regulations on supervision, social criticism, and participation in Party and government building by the Vietnam Fatherland Front and socio-political organizations in political and social life and for the current system of Vietnam Fatherland Fronts at all levels, comrade?

Comrade Nguyen Van Huy:Since the establishment of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, the two Decisions No. 217/QD-TW and No. 218/QD-TW issued by the Politburo on December 12, 2013 are the first documents specifically and in detail regulating the functions of supervision, social criticism, and participation in Party and government building of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and socio-political organizations. These two decisions of the Politburo have a very special significance, creating a new atmosphere in promoting people's democracy through the system of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and socio-political organizations in a broader and more effective manner; this is also one of the conditions for creating people's trust in the Party, the State and the regime. These two decisions will also help strengthen people's management and supervision in all areas of political and social life, including supervision of civil servants in the performance of assigned duties; contribute to building an increasingly strong Party and government, because only with supervision can we help prevent negative manifestations that may occur among cadres and civil servants. This is also a condition to promote the intelligence of all classes of people and social strata to participate in contributing and criticizing economic and social decisions, plans, projects, and resolutions that are correct, effective, practical, and reach the hearts of the people.

Reporter:With such important significance, what do you think needs to be done so that these two decisions can soon come into effect?

Comrade Nguyen Van Huy:In order for the Vietnam Fatherland Front and socio-political organizations to effectively perform their functions according to Decisions 217 and 218 of the Politburo, in addition to the efforts and advancement of the entire Vietnam Fatherland Front and socio-political organizations, it is necessary to promote the combined strength, including taking advantage of the experience, intelligence and brainpower of managers and leading experts through the establishment of advisory councils.

In the immediate future, the provincial Fatherland Front plans to establish and perfect three advisory councils on socio-economic policies; on ethnic and religious issues; and on democracy and law. On the other hand, in order to supervise and criticize society with quality and effectiveness, the subjects of supervision and criticism must be strong, have courage, have professional qualifications, and have the ability to perceive, analyze, and evaluate issues. Therefore, party committees at all levels need to plan, train, arrange, and rotate competent cadres to work for the Front and socio-political organizations. Focus on young cadres with capacity and qualifications in both professional expertise and political theory. Only by correctly identifying the need for cadres can we proactively create cadre sources, avoiding the situation of patchwork or arbitrarily and subjectively mobilizing cadres.

At the same time, Party committees and authorities at all levels need to create all favorable conditions and be truly receptive in listening to the opinions and suggestions of the Front and people's organizations. It is necessary to develop regulations and clearly define the relationship between the Party and the Front. The Party must be placed in the relationship of being both the leader of the Front and a member of the Front. Only by correctly defining that relationship can we create conditions for the Fatherland Front and organizations to properly perform the function of social supervision and criticism. Develop a specific and complete mechanism on the authority and responsibility of the Fatherland Front towards member organizations; on the responsibility of Party committees and authorities towards the recommendations and reflections of the Fatherland Front and the people in the process of supervision and criticism. Only then can the Fatherland Front properly and fully demonstrate its role as a broad political alliance organization, representing the people's mastery. On the other hand, if the Fatherland Front at all levels wants to supervise and criticize, Party committees and authorities at all levels need to create a relatively independent position for the Front, not heavily dependent on the State in terms of organization, personnel and finance. There must be mechanisms and policies to commend and encourage those who do well in the work of supervision and criticism, and to protect those who are honest and straightforward in the struggle for supervision and criticism.

Reporter:Thank you comrade!

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