Need separate mechanism for localities subject to merger

Representative of the consulting unit to draft the project to merge Nong Son and Que Son districts spoke at the conference to collect comments from relevant sectors and localities. Photo: N.D

District merger plan

Quang Nam has 2 district-level administrative units (DVHC) subject to restructuring in the 2023-2025 period, namely Hiep Duc and Nong Son districts. Meanwhile, Que Son district is subject to restructuring in the 2026-2030 period.

Before developing a master plan for the arrangement of district- and commune-level administrative units in the province for the 2023-2025 period and submitting it to the Ministry of Home Affairs for appraisal and approval, the Provincial People's Committee directed specialized agencies to assess the current situation of district-level administrative units subject to arrangement for the 2023-2025 period.

On that basis, Quang Nam proposed not to arrange Hiep Duc district (due to special factors) and determined the plan to merge Nong Son district and Que Son district to establish Que Son district.

According to Ms. Tran Thi Kim Hoa - Director of the Department of Home Affairs, the propaganda, mobilization and policy of arranging administrative units in Quang Nam in the period of 2023 - 2025 received high consensus from the people. The steps and procedures are implemented in accordance with the roadmap prescribed by the Central Government.

According to the official dispatch of the Ministry of Home Affairs, on July 31, 2024, Quang Nam submitted the complete project to the Central Government for appraisal. However, the province strives to complete the submission to the Central Government before June 30 as the set target.

According to the draft project proposed by the consulting unit to solicit comments from relevant departments and localities organized by the Department of Home Affairs on June 1, the entire natural area and population size of Nong Son district (with a natural area of ^471.64km2 , reaching 55.49% and a population size of 35,438 people, reaching 44.30% of the standard) will be merged with Que Son district (with a natural area of ^257.46km2 , reaching 57.21% and a population size of 104,128 people, reaching 86.77% of the standard) to establish Que Son district (with a natural area of 729.10km2, reaching 112.70% and a population size of 139,566 people, reaching 131.07% of the standard).

Analyzing the legal basis and necessity of merging Nong Son and Que Son districts, according to the representative of the consulting unit developing the project, this plan ensures continuity in the arrangement of administrative units at the district and commune levels between the 2023 - 2025 period and the 2026 - 2030 period, in accordance with the direction of the National Assembly Standing Committee in Notice No. 2646 dated July 19, 2023.

As well as meeting the requirements of socio-economic development, effectively exploiting the potential and advantages of the two localities. The two districts have the same origin from a previous district. Therefore, merging Nong Son and Que Son districts in their original state does not affect national defense, security and does not greatly affect the production and business activities of the people.

Local leaders give comments and draft the project. Photo: N.D

Short-term support policies are needed.

In early 2023, there were many concerns from officials, party members and people of Nong Son district when there was information about the plan to merge Nong Son and Hiep Duc districts to establish a new district administrative unit. Because it is not suitable for reality, people's travel will not be convenient because it is on the wrong road, far away, and the road must be opened or the new district administrative center must be moved to the area of Hiep Hoa and Hiep Thuan communes (current Hiep Duc).

Sharing at the conference, Mr. Quang Van Ngoc - Secretary of Nong Son District Party Committee shared that it is inevitable to have concerns, but basically, the cadres, party members and people of the district strongly support and agree with the plan to merge Nong Son and Que Son districts. The people agree with the name of the district-level administrative unit after the merger and the location of the office in Dong Phu town, Que Son district.

The issue that Nong Son district leaders are most concerned about is taking care of people's lives after the reorganization of administrative units. Although it is a small district, since the separation in 2008, infrastructure such as roads, electricity, hospitals, and schools have been well invested in and developed; social security has been focused on, people's lives have been constantly improved; the poverty rate has decreased over the years, exceeding the plan. Up to now, Nong Son has completed the elimination of temporary houses.

“Nong Son is currently enjoying the special mechanism of a mountainous district, when it is merged into Que Son district, it will no longer be a disadvantage for the people. Therefore, the draft project needs to recommend the Central Government to study a separate mechanism on social security - possibly in the short term for the 5 communes and towns in the western wing of Que Son district after the merger” - Mr. Ngoc commented.

Mr. Nguyen Van Hoa - Chairman of Nong Son District People's Committee said that previously, each administrative unit had allocated the budget like that, now if we calculate the average budget allocation for the merged administrative units, it will be very inappropriate.

The proposal in the project clearly states the recommendation that the Central Government has a separate mechanism for allocating finances to the merged administrative units for a period of time, such as following the 5-year roadmap for resolving surplus staff, to create conditions for continued investment in unfinished infrastructure projects and essential infrastructure serving social security.

Regarding the issue of handling administrative procedures for people after the merger of district-level administrative units, Mr. Hoa said that initially, people's needs will be very high because of procedures to adjust documents.

“There are many redundant staff, so it is necessary to consider setting up a working group in Nong Son, such as a one-stop-shop model, to receive and resolve procedures for adjusting documents related to land, policies, etc. for a period of time, to reassure the people. When people’s needs are low, this working group should be withdrawn to the district. There should be recommendations included in the project to have a basis for implementation,” Mr. Hoa suggested.

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