From the statement of General Secretary To Lam – a correct understanding of commune mergers.

The General Secretary emphasized: The highest goal is to build a streamlined, effective, and efficient commune-level government that is close to the people, proactively oriented towards the people...

Merging communes - note the need to address both tendencies.

The revolution to streamline the administrative apparatus is being implemented decisively and scientifically , with the spirit of "running while queuing." The merger of provinces and communes are issues that have attracted the attention of people nationwide in recent times.

Regarding the merger of provinces and communes, official information and specific directives on the timeline, methods, and direction of implementation were provided at the National Conference (held on April 16th) to disseminate and implement the Resolution of the 11th Plenum of the Central Committee of the 13th Party Congress - a historic conference discussing historical decisions in the new revolutionary period of Vietnam…

General Secretary To Lam speaks at the National Conference to understand and implement the Resolution of the 11th Plenum of the 13th Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam. Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

In particular, at the conference, General Secretary To Lam delivered a speech outlining his vision and directing specific tasks and actions to be implemented in conjunction with streamlining the administrative apparatus in the coming period. The General Secretary's speech helped officials and people nationwide gain a clearer understanding of many issues, especially the policies and decisions regarding the merger of provinces, the elimination of district-level organizations, and the merger of communes…

Going back in time, when information emerged about abolishing district-level administration, merging communes, and reducing the number of communes by about 60-70% compared to the current number… Many opinions and discussions on social media forums argued that abolishing the district level but merging communes and wards to become as large as districts and counties was essentially eliminating the commune/ward level, and that it would be simpler to implement the policy of abolishing communes/wards and keeping districts/counties with their old names…

That way of thinking and analyzing is actually too simplistic, lacking vision and failing to grasp the essence and goals of streamlining the administrative apparatus, eliminating district-level organizations, and merging commune-level organizations. In his speech at the recent conference, General Secretary To Lam clarified and emphasized: The highest goal is to build a streamlined, effective, efficient, people-oriented, and proactive commune-level government...

According to the General Secretary, streamlining the political system, merging provinces, eliminating district-level organizations, and merging communes are not simply matters of adjusting organizational structures and administrative boundaries, but also of adjusting the economic space, the division of labor, decentralization, and allocation of resources for development. It is an opportunity to screen, arrange, and build a team of cadres who truly meet the requirements of national development in the new era.

Regarding the merger of communes, General Secretary To Lam instructed that attention should be paid to overcoming two tendencies: Firstly, merging communes and wards that are too large, creating a "miniature district," leading to inadequate management of the area, inability to proactively serve the people, and essentially turning the policy of not organizing a district level into not organizing a commune level. Secondly, merging communes and wards that are too small, leading to limitations in space and development potential, and creating more bureaucratic layers, resulting in inefficiency and inefficiency. These are issues that the General Secretary requested the standing committees of the provinces to discuss and consider very carefully, with a long-term vision, for the benefit of the nation and the people, in order to find the most reasonable arrangement and organization plan.

Focus on the people to serve them better.

Following the General Secretary's directive, based on the two-tiered local government model, central and local agencies need to promptly review and issue mechanisms, policies, strategies, plans, and issues of an inter-regional and inter-local nature, ensuring uniformity nationwide and in each locality.

Merging provinces and communes, along with developing transportation infrastructure, will create connectivity and expand development opportunities. (Photo: Dong Nai Newspaper)

Consistent with the principle of "local authorities decide, local authorities act, local authorities are responsible," we will promote decentralization from the central government to the provincial level, especially in the issuance of mechanisms and policies, and in the areas of planning, finance, budget, and investment.

At the grassroots level, policy implementation focuses on tasks that serve the people, directly addressing community issues and providing basic, essential public services to residents in the area.

The General Secretary particularly emphasized the importance of effectively selecting and appointing leaders, especially the heads of provincial and commune-level agencies after mergers... "Those who feel they do not meet the requirements should voluntarily withdraw and make way for more deserving people - voluntarily stepping back for the sake of development is also an act of courage, bravery, and something to be proud of and praised," the General Secretary instructed, clearly stating his viewpoint.

After restructuring, local governments must ensure they are streamlined, effective, efficient, close to the people, meet the requirements of modern social governance, achieve rapid and sustainable growth; create new momentum and strength for national defense, security, and foreign affairs; create impetus and driving force for economic development; promote the development of science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation; and better care for the material and spiritual lives of the people.

General Secretary To Lam: Faced with the new development requirements of the country, we must change our thinking and vision; unify our understanding and ideology; overcome ourselves, sacrifice personal interests for the common good of the country; overcome anxieties, worries, and normal habits; overcome regional mindsets and sentiments to move towards a broader thinking and vision - "the country is our homeland".

Nguyen Quang

Source: https://congthuong.vn/tu-phat-bieu-cua-tong-bi-thu-to-lam-nhan-thuc-dung-ve-sap-nhap-xa-383607.html