Promoting decentralization and delegation of power, improving the efficiency of public investment management.

Commenting on the draft Law on Public Investment, the opinions expressed at the meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee were generally in agreement on promoting decentralization and delegation of power, and improving the efficiency of public investment management.

The scene at the meeting. (Photo: Doan Tan/VNA)

On the afternoon of November 14th, the Standing Committee of the National Assembly met to discuss the explanation, acceptance, and revision of the draft Law on Electricity (amended) and the draft Law on Public Investment (amended).

Removing obstacles and difficulties to promote national development.

Commenting on the draft Law on Public Investment, the opinions at the meeting basically agreed on the necessity, objectives, and perspectives of amending the Law to continue innovating, promoting decentralization and delegation of power, improving the efficiency of public investment management, and overcoming existing shortcomings and limitations in the implementation process. Reporting on some major issues in the draft law, the Chairman of the Finance and Budget Committee, Le Quang Manh, said that the draft, after incorporating the opinions of National Assembly deputies, consists of 103 articles, a reduction of 6 articles compared to the draft submitted by the Government to the National Assembly. The Standing Committee of the Finance and Budget Committee discussed and agreed on explanations and incorporation in the direction of seriously implementing the directives of the competent authority, and reported to the National Assembly, which agreed with the Government's proposal. The regulations that remain as presented by the Government are increasing the scale of public investment capital for nationally important projects to 30,000 billion VND (three times higher); Regarding the decentralization of authority to adjust the medium-term public investment plan, Mr. Le Quang Manh stated that some National Assembly deputies suggested considering decentralizing the authority to adjust the medium-term public investment plan from the National Assembly Standing Committee to the Prime Minister , given that central government budget funds are allocated between ministries, central agencies, and localities. According to the Standing Committee of the Finance and Budget Committee, the draft law proposes amending the authority of the Prime Minister to decide on the adjustment of the medium-term public investment plan from central government budget funds between ministries and central agencies (instead of this authority belonging to the National Assembly Standing Committee as stipulated in the current Public Investment Law). In the spirit of innovation, aiming to enhance flexibility in the management and implementation of the medium-term public investment plan, this regulation is also consistent with the provision in Clause 6, Article 52 of the revised draft Law that stipulates the list of projects in the medium-term public investment plan as merely a "list of projected projects." Adjustments to the medium-term public investment plan will be made more frequently to reflect the actual situation. Furthermore, these adjustments "will not exceed the total medium-term capital level decided by the National Assembly, ensuring efficient use of capital and reporting to the National Assembly at the nearest session," thus ensuring strict adherence to the functions and authority of the implementing agency and the supervisory authority of the National Assembly and the Standing Committee of the National Assembly. Regarding the timeline for passing the Law, the Standing Committee of the Finance and Budget Committee recommended that the National Assembly Standing Committee report to the National Assembly for consideration and approval at the 8th Session. During the discussion, the opinions at the National Assembly Standing Committee all agreed with the Government's proposal, noting the need for further review to ensure consistency with the legal system and to avoid obstacles during implementation.

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man delivers a speech. (Photo: Doan Tan/VNA)

Speaking at the session, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man basically agreed with the major points explained and incorporated into the draft Law on Public Investment (amended). According to the Chairman, the spirit is to remove difficulties and obstacles to promote national development, but the regulations must be based on the provisions of the Constitution and laws, without overlap or duplication. Regarding the decentralization of authority to decide on investment policies for groups B and C from People's Councils at all levels to People's Committees at all levels, the Chairman emphasized the need for implementation, reform, and innovation, but also for solutions in management and operation. The National Assembly will supervise through supreme oversight by the National Assembly and by the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, in accordance with the Constitution. Concluding the session, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Duc Hai stated that the Standing Committee of the National Assembly agreed with the scope of the law amendments and basically agreed with the major issues reported by the review agency. The Vice Chairman of the National Assembly requested that the relevant agencies incorporate the opinions of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly and the National Assembly deputies to finalize the draft, and submit it to the National Assembly for consideration and approval.

Explanation and feedback on the draft Law on Electricity (amended)

The amendment to the Electricity Law aims to improve regulations to further promote the industrialization and modernization of the country by 2030, with a vision to 2045, meeting the requirements of building a competitive, transparent, and efficient energy market, consistent with the socialist-oriented market economy ; diversifying ownership forms and business methods; and removing all barriers to ensure transparent energy prices determined by the market. The amendment aims to connect with regional and global markets; apply market prices to all types of energy; eliminate cross-subsidization of electricity prices between customer groups and regions; ensure reasonable state regulation through market instruments (taxes, fees, funds, etc.) and appropriate social welfare policies; legalize electricity price management; promote energy conservation and efficiency; encourage and promote the development of renewable energy sources and implement electricity storage. There is a need for appropriate bidding and auction mechanisms for energy supply, especially for renewable and new energy projects. Reporting on several major issues in explaining, receiving feedback, and revising the draft Law on Electricity (amended), the Chairman of the Committee on Science, Technology and Environment, Le Quang Huy, stated that on November 14, 2024, the Standing Committee of the Committee on Science, Technology and Environment issued Report No. 3026/BC-UBKHCNMT15 on several major issues regarding the explanation, receiving feedback, and revising the draft Law on Electricity (amended). Following the directives of the National Assembly Party Committee, the National Assembly Standing Committee, and the National Assembly Chairman, the Standing Committee of the Committee on Science, Technology and Environment proactively and actively coordinated with the drafting agency and relevant agencies in the process of receiving feedback and revising the draft Law according to the opinions of National Assembly deputies. To date, the draft Law has been reviewed, and most specific and detailed regulations under the authority of the Government, the Prime Minister, and Ministers, as well as regulations on administrative procedures, have been removed. Only regulations under the authority of the National Assembly have been retained, and some necessary contents have been codified; it has been shortened from 130 articles to 88 articles (only 18 articles have been added compared to the current Electricity Law).

Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Nguyen Duc Hai delivers a speech. (Photo: Doan Tan/VNA)

Concluding the session, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Duc Hai stated that the Standing Committee of the National Assembly highly appreciated the efforts of the Committee on Science, Technology and Environment, the Ministry of Industry and Trade , and related agencies in explaining and incorporating feedback on the draft Law on Electricity (amended). He also requested the Minister of Industry and Trade to focus more on coordination to provide closer guidance and ensure the quality of this draft law. Vice Chairman Nguyen Duc Hai also requested the agencies to continue reviewing to fully incorporate the opinions of National Assembly deputies; finalize the report on feedback and explanations on the draft law to ensure quality; and note the need to review to ensure consistency and uniformity with the existing legal system and related laws, as well as those to be amended. Vice Chairman Nguyen Duc Hai requested ensuring the implementation of the Party, State, and National Assembly's policy of innovation in lawmaking. Strictly implement the provisions of Resolution 27 and Resolution 118. Regarding the contents that the lead agency is reviewing and seeking opinions on, the Standing Committee of the National Assembly agrees with the majority opinion of the Standing Committee of the Science, Technology and Environment Committee to submit this draft Law to the National Assembly for approval at the 8th Session. Also on the agenda, the Standing Committee of the National Assembly will give opinions on submitting to the National Assembly for approval the proposal to appoint judges of the Supreme People's Court and consider the draft Resolution on the appointment of members of the National Council for the Selection and Supervision of Judges./.

(VNA/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/day-manh-phan-cap-phan-quyen-nang-cao-hieu-qua-quan-ly-dau-tu-cong-post993302.vnp