New rural construction after merger: Focus on removing obstacles, not letting the program be interrupted

(GLO)- The recent reorganization and merger of commune-level administrative units has contributed to streamlining the apparatus and improving the effectiveness of local state management. However, this process also poses certain difficulties for the implementation of the National Target Program on New Rural Development.

Regarding this content, Gia Lai Newspaper and Radio and Television reporters had an interview with Ms. Nguyen Thi The Vy - Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment - Chief of the Office of Coordination for New Rural Development (NTM) of the province.

Many villages in the province have prospered through the new rural development program. Photo: T. Loi

* Madam, after merging administrative units, what notable changes have occurred in the implementation of new rural construction in localities?

- The New Rural Development Program for the 2021-2025 period continues to bring about clear changes to the rural landscape of the whole province, contributing to improving the material and spiritual life of the people. After the merger, the whole province has 110 communes implementing the New Rural Development Program. Of which, through review, 47 communes meet the criteria for New Rural Development standards and 3 communes meet the criteria for Advanced New Rural Development standards.

Due to changes in administrative boundaries, according to the guidance of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment in Official Dispatch No. 5485/BNNMT-VPDP dated August 13 and the direction of the Provincial People's Committee in Official Dispatch No. 2213/UBND-NNMT dated August 20, the communes after the merger need to review and re-evaluate the current status according to the New Rural Criteria for the period 2021-2025 to determine the goals, tasks, and develop a plan to maintain and improve the quality of the New Rural Criteria.

* So, what specific difficulties are encountered in the process of implementing the program in the context of reorganizing local government according to the 2-level model?

- When switching to a two-level local government model, although the Provincial People's Committee promptly directed and issued guiding documents, the implementation process still encountered many difficulties.

First of all, the work of perfecting the Program Steering Committee, Commune Management Board and Village Development Board in the communes after the merger is slow, affecting the direction and operation of the New Rural Program.

In addition, most of the staff who were previously in charge of the program in the communes have changed positions or retired after the merger. Newly assigned staff must take time to get acquainted, research, and approach the content of the NTM program implementation, leading to initial confusion.

In addition, the process of receiving works, projects, and investment capital from old communes to new communes also requires time according to legal procedures. This creates a certain delay in implementation, and at the same time, new communes must review all NTM criteria to clearly identify missing contents, thereby proposing appropriate investment plans.

After the merger, many communes that met the NTM standards had to be reviewed and re-evaluated. Photo: T. Loi

* To ensure the new rural construction program is not interrupted after the merger, what specific solutions has the Department of Agriculture and Environment had, madam?

- Immediately after the merger, on July 17, the Department of Agriculture and Environment - the standing agency of the program issued Official Dispatch No. 376/SNNMT-NTM instructing localities to promptly complete the Steering Committee and Management Board of national target programs at the commune level, ensuring that the program is not interrupted.

We have directed the communes to review and re-evaluate the current situation and focus on implementing contents to maintain and improve the quality of criteria in the 2021-2025 period.

In addition, the Department also established inter-sectoral working groups to inspect, guide, and remove obstacles right at the grassroots level, helping localities speed up capital disbursement, implement plans, and maintain NTM results. Thanks to that, the NTM construction movement in communes continues to be maintained and spread.

* According to you, what solutions are needed to build new rural areas in line with the new administrative organization model?

- To make the NTM program suitable and effective in the current situation, I think it is necessary to continue reviewing, perfecting and fully promulgating documents guiding the program's implementation in a unified and synchronous manner with the current government apparatus.

At the same time, decentralization and delegation of power to the commune level must be strengthened, along with improving the capacity of the staff and civil servants directly involved in managing and implementing the program. Communes must have the right to self-determination and self-responsibility for the progress and content of implementation; while the province will guide and support policies, and at the same time inspect and supervise.

In addition, it is necessary to promote the application of digital technology in the management and supervision of the program at both the provincial and communal levels. Finally, it is necessary to diversify the capital sources for program implementation, increase the mobilization of local resources according to the motto "State and people work together", and at the same time have timely incentive and reward policies for localities with effective and creative models.

* Thank you!

Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/xay-dung-nong-thon-moi-sau-sap-nhap-tap-trung-thao-go-vuong-mac-khong-de-chuong-trinh-gian-doan-post570005.html