Party General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng speaks at a national conference on grassroots democracy on Monday.— VNA/VNS Photo Phương Hoa

HÀ NỘI — The implementation of regulations on grassroots democracy had helped tap the people’s potential and creativity to deal with various issues across the country, Party General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng said at a national conference on grassroots democracy on Monday. 

In June 1997, the third plenum of the Party Central Committee, 8th tenure, adopted a resolution to bring into play the people’s right to mastery. To finalise the resolution, on February 18, 1998, the Politburo, 8th tenure, issued Directive 30 on building and implementing regulations on grassroots democracy. 
Most recently, on January 7, 2016, the Politburo, 11th tenure, issued Conclusion 120 on continuing to push forward and improve the quality of the building and implementation of grassroots democracy regulations.  
The enforcement of grassroots democracy regulations was the main theme of the national conference, which was held by the Central Steering Committee. 
Party chief Trọng noted the positive outcomes of the enforcement of grassroots democracy regulations, especially the heightened awareness of democracy and democracy enforcement among Party committees, authorities, the Việt Nam Fatherland Front (VFF), socio-political organisations, officials, Party members, public workers, and people from all walks of life. 
He attributed the encouraging achievements to the attention that Party committees, authorities, the VFF and socio-political organisations have paid to the work, and the approval and warm response of society. 
At the same time, the Party leader pointed out outstanding problems in enforcing grassroots democracy regulations, one of which is the slow and inadequate work in popularising policies and laws relating to grassroots democracy in some localities and agencies. 
He said violations of democracy still occur, resulting in public discontent and leading to petitions involving large number of people, especially in the enforcement of policies and laws on land, land compensation and relocation of residents. 
At the same time, Party General Secretary Trọng underlined that democracy is exploited by a number of people to make illegitimate demands or defy the law. Some people are incited by hostile forces to involve in illegal activities in the name of democracy. 
He stressed that enforcing regulations on grassroots democracy must continue, thus creating a momentum for socio-economic development, improving people’s lives and achieving social equity. 
In parallel with enforcing democracy, attention must be paid to upholding the rule of law and promoting social responsibility, the Party chief said. 
He urged State administrative agencies and administrations at all levels to listen more to the people, respond to the people’s opinions and petitions, and improve the ethics and service quality of public employees. 
The Party General Secretary underlined that one of the decisive factors to the effectiveness of the enforcement of grassroots democracy was the role played by the heads of Party committees and administrations at all levels, and of agencies and organisations. 
He called on Party secretaries and key officials at State agencies, administrations and organisations at all levels to exercise real democracy and transparency in their work while leading by example to fight bureaucracy, corruption and wastefulness. 
Discussions at the conference focused on the institutionalisation of the Party’s guidelines and viewpoints in Directive 30-CT/TW and Conclusion 120, along with solutions to enhance the effectiveness of settling complaints and petitions. 
They also shared views on the role of socio-political organisations and how localities had been implementing grassroots democracy regulations. — VNS