The national poverty rate would fall to less than an estimated six per cent by the end of this year, which would mark a 1.0-1.3 per cent decrease compared to last year. — Photo phunuvietnam.vn

HÀ NỘI — The national poverty rate would fall to less than an estimated six per cent by the end of this year, which would mark a 1.0-1.3 per cent decrease compared to last year, a Government report has said.

According to the report presented at the ongoing National Assembly Standing Committee meeting in Hà Nội yesterday, in the last two years of implementing the Government’s targets on sustainable poverty reduction until 2020, the rate of households falling back into poverty has been restricted, decreasing from 0.13 per cent in 2016 to 0.10 per cent last year.

The Government reported that poverty reduction in 2016-17 had reached the goal set by the National Assembly (NA) but the results remained unstable. The gap between rich and poor regions had not narrowed, especially in northern mountainous areas and the Central Highlands. Natural disasters were blamed as one of reasons for the situation, especially in ethnic minority areas.

After listening to the Government’s report, members of the NASC proposed allocating  funds for the implementation of the national target programme on poverty alleviation in the next two years.

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân said that it was worth noting that in any difficult situation, the State had never cut the budget for social security.

“However, we need to acknowledge the fact that poverty reduction is not sustainable, poverty reduction progress is slow, and the rate of poor households is high and unreasonable among regions,” she said.

“We need to raise awareness of society and authorities at all levels so that localities will not just rely on the State budget,” she added.

 “Poverty reduction is not only the responsibility of the State, the Government or any ministry, agency or organisation. It is the common task of the whole political system in co-ordination with the State management agencies and society,” Ngân said.

Harms of alcoholic products discussed

In the afternoon, the NASC members discussed a draft law to limit the harmful effects of tobacco, wine and beer.

The draft law presented by Minister of Health Nguyễn Thị Kim Tiến said that the use of alcohol was the direct cause of at least 30 diseases, injuries and indirect causes of at least 200 other diseases listed in the International Classification of Diseases.

The use of alcohol in Việt Nam was reportedly high and had increased rapidly over the years. Therefore, it was necessary to create a law to institute policies to reduce the consequences of alcohol use.

Agreeing with the Government’s report, NASC members proposed measures to reduce the consumption of alcohol with strict management of supply.

According to the Commission on Social Issues, the benefits of the wine and beer industry were undeniable, but it was imperative to look at the negative effects of alcohol and beer, which have been highlighted by the World Health Organisation.

They said that it was necessary to provide regulations related to business and advertising to limit the availability and accessibility of alcohol.

In addition, the deputies also focused on other topics such as advertising restrictions, sponsorship of beer and alcohol, and measures to manage the production and trade of the products.

In addition, they asked the drafting agency to revise some regulations including internet sales and selling to those under 18. — VNS