HÀ NỘI — Lawmakers adopted a resolution on the 2017 State budget with 82.15 per cent of “yes” votes during the on-going second meeting of the 14^th National Assembly (NA) yesterday.

Per the resolution, total central budget collection is estimated at over VNĐ729.7 trillion (US$32.7 billion) while collection at the local level is set at VNĐ482.4 trillion ($21.6 billion).

Total budget spending will be over VNĐ902 trillion ($40.4 billion), of which an estimated VNĐ254.6 trillion ($11.4 billion) will be allocated to local budgets.

The NA asked the Government to task each ministry, office and locality with budget collection and spending in line with the Law on State budget and the resolution.

The Government must guide ministries, sectors and localities to distribute development investment capital with priority given to major national programmes and projects, and official development assistance and public private partnership projects.  

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

Later the same day, NA deputies discussed draft amendments to the Law on Irrigation.

Most deputies agreed with the need to issue the law for better management of irrigation works, which play a vital role in agricultural production, providing water for the daily activities of the locals and other economic sectors, along with being a key measure for disaster prevention and control.

However, some deputies said the compiling board should propose policies encouraging investment in irrigation works and make clear the responsibilities of relevant ministries and agencies in managing irrigation works.

They asked the compiling board to research and review related policies, guidelines and related laws to avoid overlapping between laws.

Some deputies, including Thạch Phước Bình from southern Trà Vinh province and Nguyễn Thị Ngọc Lan from northern Bắc Ninh province, said the law should have specific regulations to encourage the participation of locals in planning, building and supervising the operation of irrigation works.

Their discussion also focused on the law’s new regulation on the price of irrigation services, which will replace existing irrigation fees in line with the current Law on Price.

First hearing begins

The 14th NA is slated to begin a question & answer session today, which will be broadcast live on national television and radio.

During the hearing sessions, the Ministers of Industry and Trade, Natural Resources and Environment, Education and Training, and Home Affairs will field questions on issues of public concern.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc will deal with lawmakers’ questions about his handling of issues under discussion.

Before the Q&A, the NA will hear a report on the parliament’s monitoring of the handling of petitions that voters sent to the 11th session of the 13th NA.

This is the first time the 14th NA has conducted a Q&A. - VNS