No proposal to exempt railway project implementers from liability

Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Danh Huy explained the unprecedented withdrawal of the proposal for the Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong railway project and the failure to exempt responsibility during the project implementation process.

At the National Assembly meeting on February 15 , the Ministry of Transport, on behalf of the Government , accepted the opinions of delegates and removed policy 19 on exemption from responsibility from specific policies, especially for implementing the Hanoi - Lao Cai - Hai Phong railway project.

As the deputy minister in charge of the project, could you please tell us why you advised the Ministry of Transport to submit this policy ?

Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Danh Huy clarified issues of public concern regarding the non-exemption of responsibility during the implementation of the Hanoi - Lao Cai - Hai Phong railway project (Photo: Ta Hai).

The Hanoi - Lao Cai - Hai Phong railway construction investment project is large-scale, using new technology, and is being implemented for the first time in Vietnam. If implemented under current conditions, it will not meet the required progress.

To meet the project commencement schedule by the end of 2025 as directed by the Government, the Ministry of Transport identified this as a challenging and stressful task.

Therefore, the Ministry of Transport advises on specific and special policies, ensuring feasibility and accelerating implementation progress; mobilizing investment resources; decentralizing and delegating investment rights; developing industry and training human resources.

The time to prepare for investment in the project is very short, while the implementation of procedures to issue policies in accordance with legal regulations requires at least 12-18 months, so proposing, building and issuing mechanisms and policies for the Project requires creativity, daring to think and daring to do. However, the implementation of new policies also comes with the risk of not achieving the set goals.

Therefore, the Ministry of Transport proposes a policy allowing heads of agencies, units, cadres, civil servants and public employees participating in the development and promulgation of mechanisms and policies to promote the progress of project implementation to be considered for exclusion, exemption or reduction of responsibility if negative behaviors, impacts, group interests or waste occur during project implementation.

This is the institutionalization of Conclusion 14-KL/TW dated September 22, 2021 of the Politburo on the policy of encouraging and protecting dynamic and creative cadres for the common good.

Some people say that the Ministry of Transport is avoiding responsibility. We would like to confirm that this policy does not apply to individuals and organizations implementing the project. If there are violations, abuses, or profiteering from the policy, they must be strictly handled according to the law.

So why did the Government accept the National Assembly's opinion and withdraw this proposal , sir?

During the process of researching and proposing to the Government 19 specific and special policy mechanisms, this policy received some supportive opinions and was found necessary. From there, we have conditions to unleash creativity, unleash the thinking resources of all subjects in the implementation process.

However, when presenting to the National Assembly, through consultation and discussion with experts, and through receiving opinions from National Assembly deputies, it was found that there were many projects that also needed to issue new mechanisms and policies, so it would not be appropriate to only include one project.

At the same time, the Draft Law on Promulgation of Legal Documents is being widely consulted, and has also proposed a mechanism to protect policy makers and those who dare to think and dare to do.

Furthermore, Conclusion 14-KL/TW dated September 22, 2021 of the Politburo on the policy of encouraging and protecting dynamic and creative cadres for the common good stated: "In the process of performing assigned duties and tasks, based on the urgent requirements and demands of practice, encourage cadres to have creative thinking, breakthrough approaches, remove and resolve bottlenecks and knots in mechanisms and policies, focusing on issues that have not been regulated or have been regulated but are not suitable for practice, bringing practical value and effectiveness, creating strong changes, and positively contributing to common development".

"When a pilot officer fails to achieve or only partially achieves the set goals, or encounters risks or damages, the competent authority must promptly identify the objective and subjective causes, make an impartial assessment to consider and handle appropriately. If the implementation is in accordance with the policy, has pure motives, and is for the common good, then the responsibility can be considered to be exempted or reduced."

Therefore, we have received and reported to the Government, not including this policy in the mechanism and policy for implementing a specific project, but will continue to research to propose general proposals for important national projects with proposals for special mechanisms and policies for project implementation.

The National Assembly's Economic Committee delegation surveyed the project in Lao Cai (Photo: Ta Hai).

If the National Assembly approves the investment policy , with the current proposals, in your opinion, what key points need to be controlled to bring about the project's effectiveness ?

On the side of the Ministry of Transport, with the spirit of determination, "only discuss, not discuss", the Ministry of Transport will strive to implement solutions to speed up the project procedures and processes; at the same time, prepare the organization of the management apparatus and human resources. Assign tasks clearly, clearly, and clearly.

However, project progress also depends on other factors such as: Loan agreement negotiation time; site clearance progress; geological and weather conditions, etc.

Therefore, it requires the drastic participation of ministries, branches and localities to implement the project to ensure progress and efficiency.

Thank you !

Source: https://www.baogiaothong.vn/thu-truong-bo-gtvt-khong-de-xuat-mien-tru-trach-nhiem-cho-nguoi-thuc-hien-du-an-192250217211356883.htm