Deputies discuss efficiency measures and customs procedures

Many deputies requested that agency leaders be held accountable for not addressing wasteful practices.

Deputy Siu Huong (Gia Lai province) suggested that Article 7 of the draft law on thrift practice and wastefulness prevention should define the leaders' responsibility for allowing wasteful practices, and that the public's oversight role over State budget utilisation should be specified in an additional specific article.

Some deputies asserted that many types of wasteful actions - particularly those related to the construction of schools, banks, hospitals and real estate projects; the extraction of natural and mineral resources and hydro-power production - have not been adequately defined in the draft law.

Deputies Nguyen Kim Be (Kien Giang province) and Trieu La Pham (Ha Giang province) suggested that the Criminal Law should include amendments and supplements to punish violations related to wastefulness.

Many deputies stressed the importance of openness and scrutiny to the implementation of the Law on thrift practice and wastefulness prevention.During a discussion on the Ho Chi Minh Highway construction project, many NA deputies stressed the importance of utilising the highway to boost economic development.

Deputy Ngo Van Du (Vinh Phuc province) said that the highway's potential benefits should be evaluated from an overall perspective in the short and long terms.

Lawmakers also discussed issues surrounding the amended Law on Customs, including procedural reforms, smuggling prevention, protection of national interests and economic security.

Deputies Ngo Van Minh (Quang Nam province) and Tran Dinh Son (Dak Lak province) urged customs officials to work with relevant agencies under the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Industry and Trade to prevent price hikes by importers and further work in temporary import and re-export.

(Source: Nhandannewspaperonline)