Reassigning redundant deputy positions to grassroots levels: Building an efficient and substantive public service.

(GLO) - The revolution to streamline the administrative apparatus has achieved remarkable results. The team of officials and civil servants at the commune level has been fundamentally strengthened and is gradually adapting to the requirements of new tasks.

Along with that, leadership and management capabilities have improved; working methods are beginning to better meet the goals and requirements of creating, developing, and serving the people and businesses. However, the situation of "more chairs than jobs," or having many jobs but a shortage of people to do them, still persists.

Therefore, on May 8, 2026, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra signed and issued Directive 18/CT-TTg of the Prime Minister on improving the quality of officials and civil servants at the commune level.

The directive requires "thoroughly assigning and transferring deputy-level leaders and managers who are exceeding regulations in agencies and units under the provincial Party Committee and People's Committee to communes and wards."

This is not simply about reassigning surplus personnel at the provincial level, but a very strong political message: Administrative reform cannot be done merely on paper. Essentially, it's about reallocating administrative resources to the grassroots level – the closest to the people, with the greatest workload, and where true capabilities are most easily revealed.

Ia Grai commune officials (far right) guide residents through administrative procedures. Photo: Le Na

The Prime Minister requested that priority be given to assigning officials and civil servants with strong character, the ability to withstand pressure, and experience in handling situations to work in complex areas with large workloads, especially in fields requiring specialized expertise such as land, construction, ethnic groups, religion, complaints, and denunciations.

Transferring surplus deputy officials from the province to communes and wards is a way to "test the mettle" of cadres and civil servants. Those who are truly capable will quickly adapt; they will see it as a place to showcase their strengths and wholeheartedly serve the common good. Those who are accustomed to bureaucratic work, signing documents, and attending meetings but lack practical skills will also soon reveal their true capabilities.

During a recent meeting with the Gia Lai Provincial National Assembly Delegation, voters suggested that out of 99 tasks at the district level, more than 90 have been transferred to the commune level. This has significantly increased the workload, while the current staffing levels are very limited.

Therefore, appropriate mechanisms and policies, along with additional staffing, are needed to ensure that the reorganized grassroots government apparatus operates effectively; and administrative reforms should be further promoted, especially shortening the time required to process land use right certificates.

This is a reality in many localities, not just Gia Lai, especially in the context of ending the activities of part-time officials at the commune level from this May.

Transferring surplus officials from communes and wards to areas with shortages, or establishing a "non-specialized official bank," are only short-term solutions to address the current shortage of officials at the grassroots level.

However, it should be noted that the government's policy of transferring surplus deputy officials at the provincial level to the grassroots is a preparatory step for a new generation of administrative reform: streamlining administrative structures, reducing intermediate levels, increasing digital government, and improving the efficiency of services to the people. In other words, it aims to build a smaller but more efficient administrative apparatus in the future.

A truly dedicated public servant can get the job done anywhere. Conversely, if someone only values ​​positions with titles and administrative power but is reluctant to go to the grassroots level, it's difficult to talk about a spirit of service.

Because people are only concerned about whether the system operates more efficiently and whether their applications are processed faster!

The government is shifting from a mindset focused on "stabilizing the administrative apparatus" to one that measures "administrative efficiency." The policy of transferring surplus deputy-level officials, and provincial-level officials in general, to grassroots levels supports the determination to restructure the administration towards a more streamlined and substantive system. This is because it is a silent but potentially significant process of purification that could have a major impact on public service culture in the coming years.

Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/dua-cap-pho-doi-du-ve-co-so-xay-dung-nen-cong-vu-hieu-qua-thuc-chat-post587982.html