Ethnic minority-targeted policies prove effective in Central Highlands

Specific programmes and policies issued by the Party and State over recent years have vastly improved the living conditions of ethnic minority people in the Central Highlands.

Students at the No Trang Long Boarding School in Dak Lak province (Photo: VNA)

The Central Highlands encompasses the five provinces of Dak Lak, Gia Lai, Kon Tum, Dak Nong, and Lam Dong, which are home to more than 5.5 million people with 36 percent of them hailing from 46 minority groups.

The Party and State’s solutions to local difficulties include Programme 135 on upgrading infrastructure in disadvantaged communes and villages, the Prime Minister’s Decision 167 on supporting low-income families with house building expenses, a policy aiding stability for famers, and a rapid and sustainable poverty reduction programme targeting the 62 poorest districts.

As a result, over 12,270km of roads have been built across the region, making all communes now accessible by car, said Vice Standing Chairman of the Central Highlands Steering Committee Tran Viet Hung.

More than 2,260 irrigation facilities have been built with nearly 5,000km of canals and ditches serving agricultural activities, he noted, adding that all communes have gained access to the national power grid while 70.75 percent of the households have clean water.

Hung also highlighted the improvement of educational and healthcare services, vocational training, and job provision, as well as spiritual lives of local residents.

He said the regional provinces expect the Government, ministries, and sectors will swiftly eliminate overlapping policies and implementation management.

Relevant agencies should design more practical policies, especially those addressing problems pertaining to farm and residential land, human resource training, employment, agricultural development, and the purchase of farm produce, ultimately raising local livelihoods, the official added.

(Source: VNA)