Ministry of Finance: Localities are called upon to invest from surplus assets after merger

(Dan Tri) - Regarding the arrangement of surplus assets after the arrangement, the Ministry of Finance proposed that localities call for investment and implement projects in accordance with the planning and orientation of local socio-economic development.

Thorough decentralization to local level

Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang recently gave instructions at the Conference to collect opinions on legal documents to implement the Party and State's policy on promoting decentralization, delegation of power and reorganization of two-level local government in the financial sector.

At the Conference, the representative of Hai Phong City proposed that the Ministry of Finance study and have a unified viewpoint when abolishing the district level, which tasks at the district level will be transferred to the commune level, the general principle is that any tasks that the district level is performing will be transferred to the commune level, and any tasks that the commune cannot perform will be transferred to the provincial level.

Regarding divestment, the locality proposed to delegate authority to the locality to carry out the arrangement and divestment of state capital in enterprises.

Responding to this opinion, Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang stated that there is no general formula for transferring this task to the province, that task to the commune. Moreover, the implementation method in each locality is different. However, it is possible to adhere to the principle of "thorough decentralization to the locality", "locality decides, locality does and locality is responsible".

"Second, according to the criteria, wherever it is easier and more effective to implement, that place will implement it. If the province does it better, it will stay in the province. If the commune does it better, it will be transferred to the commune," the Minister stated his opinion.

Similar to the story of divestment of state-owned enterprises, the Ministry of Finance's view is that divestment or not divestment must depend on the practical situation. The Ministry of Finance said that it will study and advise in the direction that there are sectors where enterprises must continue to divest, but there are also sectors where enterprises operate effectively and have high profitability, the state will study and even adjust to increase capital in these enterprises.

Minister of Finance at the Conference (Photo: Organizing Committee).

Hot issue of public asset management

An issue of concern to many localities at the Conference is the plan to handle and manage public assets after implementing the two-level local government model to ensure efficiency and avoid waste.

In particular, the representative of the Da Nang People's Committee proposed that the Government, ministries and local agencies advise on the issuance of amendments and supplements to the Law on Management and Use of Public Assets and Decrees guiding its implementation. At the same time, the unit requested the Ministry of Finance to consider, arrange and adjust the state treasury model in sync with the locality after the merger to facilitate the process of financial and budget management between financial, tax, customs, treasury and local authorities.

The representative of Thai Nguyen Provincial People's Committee also said that in the near future, the need to transfer surplus assets from localities after reorganization and merger will be very large. The Ministry of Finance is requested to pay attention to this issue.

Regarding the above content, Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang agreed that the issue of transferring public asset management when merging and eliminating intermediate levels, and how to use public assets effectively is an extremely important issue.

Regarding the arrangement of surplus assets after the arrangement and merger, the Ministry of Finance has advised the Government to report to the Politburo, prioritizing the arrangement for a number of sectors (healthcare, education, construction, public works such as trees, etc.), the remaining part after the arrangement, allowing localities to call for investment, implement projects in accordance with the planning and orientation of local socio-economic development.

In the future, the Ministry of Finance will continue to research and provide guidance if any problems arise from localities... According to the Minister, when merging provinces, the treasury, tax, and customs systems will all be adjusted to suit the administrative boundaries of the localities.

Mr. Pham Minh Triet, Deputy Director of the Department of Organization and Personnel (Ministry of Home Affairs), said that in terms of finance, to see which agencies transfer tasks between levels when implementing the two-level local government model, it is necessary to base on the original laws (such as the Law on Organization of Local Government) to divide the flow.

The representative of the Ministry of Home Affairs agreed with the view of the Minister of Finance, the spirit is that the level that performs the task most effectively will assign and consider that task to the commune, and if the commune cannot do it, it will be transferred to the province, the important thing is "not to miss any task".

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/kinh-doanh/bo-tai-chinh-dia-phuong-duoc-keu-goi-dau-tu-tu-tai-san-doi-du-sau-sap-nhap-20250527125449768.htm