Grassroots voice: Strengthening decentralization, creating initiative for the commune level

Despite remarkable achievements, helping thousands of households improve their lives, the implementation of the National Target Program on Sustainable Poverty Reduction in Nghe An in recent times has also encountered many difficulties and challenges; among which, it is evident that there are still support models that are far from reality; the risk of falling back into poverty is hidden...

At the recent supervision session of the Provincial People's Council on the implementation of the Program, many localities recommended the need to promote decentralization and give real autonomy to the commune level to turn the poverty reduction goal into a sustainable reality.

B ensures policies reach the right targets and objects

Conducting field surveys and working with leaders of Quy Hop, Chau Loc, Chau Hong, Tam Hop, Muong Ham, Muong Chong, and Minh Hop communes, the Nghe An Provincial People's Council's Supervisory Delegation noted that, with the drastic and responsible participation of the entire political system, poverty reduction work has made important progress. Even in the process of arranging administrative units and implementing the 2-level local government model, localities have shown high initiative by quickly establishing the Program Steering Committee. This is a fundamental step, helping to concentrate resources, plan detailed plans, and coordinate activities methodically, ensuring that the State's policies and guidelines reach the right subjects and targets.

Before working with local leaders, the monitoring delegation surveyed the actual production models of the people. Photo: Nguyen Van

The results of these efforts are clearly demonstrated through the reduction in the poverty rate. For example, Chau Loc commune, an area with a very high poverty rate, has reduced it from 32.07% in 2021 to only 19.55% in 2024. Similarly, Quy Hop commune has reduced its poverty rate from 8.5% to 5.2%, while other highland communes such as Muong Ham and Muong Chong have also achieved relatively positive results.

More remarkable is the change that is also evident in the appearance of each village. People's lives have clearly improved as they have better access to basic social services. The muddy dirt roads of the past have been replaced by a system of solid concrete roads, connecting remote villages to the center. Children study in more spacious schools, and people can access convenient health services, contributing to a comprehensive improvement in the quality of life.

Need to trust and empower localities more

At the monitoring meeting, along with acknowledging the results achieved, delegates also frankly acknowledged that there are still issues that need to be overcome and resolved in poverty reduction work in the area; especially the sustainability factor when the risk of falling back into poverty is always latent in the localities. Just one family member suffering from a serious illness, a natural disaster sweeping through, or losing their main source of income, many households can immediately fall back into poverty. The number of dozens of households falling back into poverty each year in the communes of Tam Hop, Chau Loc, Minh Hop... is a warning that the results of poverty reduction are still very fragile.

Overview of the surveillance. Photo: Nguyen Van

The underlying cause of this situation is that there is still a gap between policy and practice. Many models and projects that have been applied in a "stereotypical" manner from the top down have not been effective. The story of the Lai Sind cow allocation project is a typical example. The leaders of Muong Chong and Chau Loc communes all pointed out that this breed of cow is not suitable for the steep terrain and lack of grazing land in the mountains. Moreover, the allocation in small quantities (1 cow/household) makes care and breeding difficult; the offspring are stunted and do not develop, forcing people to sell them instead of multiplying the herd to create a long-term livelihood.

From these difficulties, localities have recommended that competent authorities should trust and empower localities more. Because no one understands soil conditions, production practices and people's aspirations better than the grassroots leaders and cadres. Granting autonomy will help localities flexibly choose the most suitable economic development models. Along with that, clearly defining functions for a focal point and integrating target programs will help the apparatus operate effectively, avoiding overlap and waste of resources.

Concluding the supervision session, Vice Chairman of the People's Council of Nghe An province Nguyen Nhu Khoi acknowledged the efforts of the localities and accepted their reasonable recommendations. At the same time, he hoped that in the coming time, the communes would continue to promote their leadership role, uphold the responsibility of the leaders, closely follow the general development orientation to invest with focus and key points, ensuring that every penny of State capital is used effectively, bringing real benefits and a better, more sustainable life for the people.

Source: https://daibieunhandan.vn/tieng-noi-co-so-tang-cuong-phan-cap-tao-chu-dong-cho-cap-xa-10390501.html