NA prioritises social welfare programmes

This was the consensus among National Assembly (NA) deputies on the morning of November 2, the 11th working day of the current session. The deputies reviewed the NTP, and discussed the implementation of the 2013 State budget estimates, the 2014 State budget estimates and central budget allocation and the plan to issue supplementary Government bonds in the period 2014-2016.

The lawmakers held that funding should be allocated in major fields, including sustainable poverty reduction, employment and vocational training, construction of new rural areas, clean water supply, rural environmental hygiene and climate change response.

Regarding State budget estimates for 2014, the delegates showed concern about the State budget deficit and budget overspending. They asked the Government to practise thrift and manage budget spending, which should be allocated to investment for development, agriculture, healthcare and traffic-related issues.

While analysing the plan to issue supplementary Government bonds in the period 2014-2016, lawmakers agreed to prioritise allocation of bond proceeds to construction projects on National Highway 1A expansion and National Highway 14. Some suggested reviewing total investment in a number of projects and adjusting the estimates in order to avoid wasteful expenditure.

In the afternoon, the participants formed working groups to discuss the implementation of laws and resolutions adopted by the 13th National Assembly. 

Most of them approved of the laws, ordinances and resolutions promulgated by the NA, which have contributed to codifying the country's legal system for State management. They also applauded efforts made by the Government and relevant agencies to formulate and publicise detailed documents on implementation of NA-approved bills.

However, they also pointed out some shortcomings revealed in the work, such as certain significant issues not specified in the NA-adopted law, but rather in the Government's subsequent instructions. This has caused difficulties in realising and promoting the law to people, they argued. Therefore, they asked the NA to improve its procedures on constructing and promulgating laws, which should create favourable conditions for those tasked with implementation.

(Source: Nhandannewspaperonline)