NA adopts resolution on 2016 State budget allocation

Continuing the National Assembly (NA)’s ongoing 10th session, NA deputies had a plenary meeting on the morning of November 14 to discuss a draft resolution on NA sessions’ revised regulations and approve a resolution on the allocation of the 2016 State budget.

NA deputies approved the resolution on the allocation of the 2016 State budget.

With a 79.35% majority of votes (392 deputies), the NA adopted a resolution in which the total central budget collection is estimated at VND596.882 trillion (US$26.86 billion), while collection at the local level is VND417.618 trillion (US$18.79 billion).

Total budget spending next year was estimated at VND850.882 trillion (US$38.29 billion), of which an estimated VND211.221 trillion (US$9.5 billion) is allocated to local budgets.

The resolution asks the Government to implement tasks of budget collection and spending and State budget allocation for central agenices and ministries, and central-governed provinces and cities, as well as State budget allocation to implement national target programmes for next year to each ministry, agency and locality.

The Government was required to direct municipal and provincial People’s Committees of central-governed provinces and cities to submit State budget collection and spending estimates to People’s Councils at the same level for decisions on local budget estimates and allocation as authorised.

The Government was also asked to guide central agenices and ministries and People’s Committees at all levels in making decisions on State budget allocation for 2016 prior to December 12 while reporting the allocation as regulated and directing central agencies, ministries and localities to distribute development capital with the priority given to major national programmes and projects, and official development assistance (ODA) and public private partnership (PPP) projects.

The National Assembly Standing Committee, the NA Finance-Budget Committee and the NA Council of Ethnic Affairs are responsible for supervising the State budget allocation in 2016 of ministries, sectors and local People’s Committees and People’s Councils.

Discussing the draft resolution on regulations of NA sessions, most deputies appreciated the resolution’s construction and asked for further review on regulations to ensure democracy and feasibility, and promote deputies’ responsibilities to contribute to effective operation of the NA.

Regarding improving the NA sessions’ quality, Deputy Nguyen Dinh Quyen from Hanoi suggested the NA move to debates rather than reporting issues that contain different opinions.

Sharing this idea, deputy Nguyen Thi Quyet Tam from Ho Chi Minh City said that debates will help lawmakers have more necessary information beside well-prepared reports.

Deputy Do Manh Hung from Thai Nguyen province asked for responsible and quality reports and speeches from deputies who represent voters nationwide.

Meanwhile, deputies Chu Son Ha from Hanoi, Tran Du Lich from Ho Chi Minh City and Nguyen Tien Sinh from Hoa Binh stressed the need for regulations related to the power, responsibility and obligations of the chair of each session, as well as those managing deputies’ presence at the sessions.

Deputies Nguyen Thi Quyet Tam from Ho Chi Minh City and Phung Van Hung from Cao Bang suggested increases in the duration of live broadcasting programmes on important law discussions and Q&A sessions to provide the latest updates for voters and people across the nation, thus raising the efficiency of voters’ supervision over the legislature’s operations.

Deputy Do Manh Hung from Thai Nguyen province proposed people’s attendance at the NA sessions to promote their oversight and encourage their contributions to the NA.

(Source: nhandan.org.vn)