General review of policies for people with meritorious services

On the morning of October 19, Politburo member, Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan had a working session with leaders of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, relevant ministries and branches to summarize, review and evaluate the results of policy implementation for people with revolutionary contributions.

According to the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, the total number of meritorious people over the years is 8.8 million (accounting for about 10% of the population). Of these, there are currently over 1,470,000 meritorious people and their relatives receiving monthly allowances. The budget for paying allowances and subsidies to meritorious people in 2012 was VND25,640 billion; the estimate for 2013 is VND29,380 billion.

Speaking at the Conference, delegates highly appreciated the Prime Minister's request for a general review of policies for people with meritorious services. Delegates said that this is a task that millions of people with meritorious services nationwide are expecting and is also an opportunity for the State to promptly adjust policies for people with meritorious services. Thereby, implementing comprehensively, with the right people and the right policies for people with meritorious services, while at the same time strengthening the combined strength, the leadership of Party committees at all levels, the responsibility of authorities at all levels, and the contribution of the whole society to this work.

However, opinions say that in some localities, the implementation of the regime for people with meritorious services has not received due attention, and there are still errors and negative impacts, causing bad effects on society. Notably, some people with meritorious services and their families have not fully enjoyed the current policies of the State; the lives of a part of the families of war invalids, martyrs and people with meritorious services to the revolution still have many difficulties, especially in remote areas, areas of revolutionary bases.

Also at the Conference, many recommendations stated that it is time for the State to recognize and evaluate comprehensively and objectively to affirm the true merits of the Youth Volunteer Force, frontline workers, families of martyrs facing difficulties, and those who participated in the resistance war and were exposed to Agent Orange. "Agencies that build and plan policies need to have a flexible, humane, and historical perspective, minimizing the situation of mechanical principles and insensitivity in the implementation of policies for the above-mentioned subjects," said Mr. Nguyen Anh Lien, Chairman of the Association of Former Youth Volunteers.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan visits the family of a Vietnamese Heroic Mother in Bac Lieu City - Photo: VGP

Speaking at the conference, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan affirmed that the Prime Minister's direction to review policies for people with meritorious services is in line with the people's wishes and expectations of the whole society, so relevant ministries, branches and authorities at all levels need to focus on reviewing policies and implementing policies for people with meritorious services nationwide according to their responsibilities and sentiments. This is also an opportunity for the Vietnam Fatherland Front at all levels to demonstrate its supervisory role, helping the system of authorities at all levels to do better in implementing policies for people with meritorious services.

The Deputy Prime Minister proposed that by the end of November 2013, a handbook providing fully integrated information support on policies for meritorious people nationwide will be completed.

For mass media agencies, the Deputy Prime Minister requested to promote comprehensive and diverse information on policies for people with meritorious services, reflecting reality, thereby contributing to attracting diverse resources to support people with meritorious services.

The Deputy Prime Minister stated that in the coming time, he will focus on resolving the unreasonable issues in current State policies and adjusting appropriate policies for people with meritorious services. He will summarize and evaluate the results of the general review and commend and reward collectives and individuals who have done well in preferential policies for people with meritorious services and the gratitude movement.

According to Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan, in the 2014-2015 period, if authorities at all levels focus on promoting advantages and overcoming shortcomings and inadequacies in implementing policies for people with meritorious services, it will contribute to affirming and promoting the nation's noble tradition of remembering the source of water, gradually improving the material and spiritual life of people with meritorious services to the revolution, contributing to maintaining political and social stability, and continuing to build traditional beauty in the country's cultural and social life.

It is expected that in early November 2013, a coordination program will be signed between the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, and the Ministry of Finance to review policies and implement policies for people with meritorious services to the country in the two years 2014-2015.

According to Government Electronic Newspaper - HQ