Eliminate the mechanism of asking for and giving to fight corruption and prevent violations

On February 27, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired a Government meeting on law-making in February 2024.

At the meeting, the Government considered and gave opinions and resolutions on many important contents: Draft Law on People's Air Defense; Draft Law on Management and Use of Weapons, Explosives and Supporting Tools (amended); Draft Law on Cultural Heritage (amended); Draft Law on Amending and Supplementing a Number of Articles of the Law on Pharmacy; Proposal to develop a Law on Diplomatic Ranks and Ranks ; Proposal to develop a Law on Civil Aviation (amended); Proposal to develop a Law on Railways (amended); Proposal to develop a Law on Digital Technology Industry; Proposal on the Law and Ordinance Development Program for 2025, adjustment of the Law and Ordinance Development Program for 2024, etc.

After listening to the discussion opinions, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh gave concluding comments on each content and assigned specific tasks to complete the draft laws and proposed the development of laws.

In particular, with the draft Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Pharmacy, the Prime Minister said that drugs are special goods so there must be a special management policy, but it needs to be open on the basis of eliminating the mechanism of asking for and giving, complying with market rules, simplifying administrative procedures for establishments producing and trading drugs and medicinal materials, promoting decentralization, delegation of authority, and increasing recognition and assessment of conformity from advanced countries. The Prime Minister also noted the policy of encouraging investment attraction and development of the pharmaceutical industry.

Regarding the draft Law on Cultural Heritage (amended), the Prime Minister emphasized the need to preserve, embellish and promote the nation's cultural heritage, develop the cultural industry, promote investment and business in the field of cultural heritage, mobilize social resources through strengthening public-private cooperation; and develop cultural human resources.

Focus - Prime Minister: Eliminate the mechanism of asking for and giving to fight corruption and prevent violations — Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh directed the meeting (Photo: VGP).

The Prime Minister noted the need to conduct thorough research, refer to international experience, and seek expert opinions on regulations related to the business of treasures on the basis of tax management. The Prime Minister also noted the need to encourage and have policies to manage the activities of private museums; the provisions of this law do not overlap with the Law on Archives.

Regarding the preparation of proposals for the 2025 Law and Ordinance Development Program and adjustments to the 2024 Law and Ordinance Development Program, the Prime Minister assigned the Ministry of Justice to preside over, coordinate, guide, and urge ministries and agencies to submit proposals for law development to the Government for consideration and approval; and synthesize and include them in the Government's proposal to the National Assembly.

Regarding the preparation of draft laws to be submitted to the National Assembly for consideration and comments at the upcoming 7th Session, the number of draft laws is very large, so the task is very heavy. The Prime Minister requested ministers and heads of ministerial-level agencies to focus resources, lead and direct the completion of draft laws according to regulations.

Regarding the two draft laws, including the draft Law on Notarization (amended) and the draft Law on Prevention and Combat of Human Trafficking (amended) approved by the Government at the January 2024 Legal Session, the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Public Security are assigned to preside over and coordinate with relevant ministries and agencies to complete the draft Law dossier to submit to the National Assembly Standing Committee within the deadline.

Regarding the draft Law on Urban and Rural Planning, the Ministry of Construction is assigned to urgently revise and complete the draft law dossier and submit it to competent authorities as prescribed.

Focus - Prime Minister: Eliminate the mechanism of asking for and giving to fight corruption and prevent violations (Figure 2). — Government meeting on law making in February 2024 (Photo: VGP).

Noting some key points and requirements in building and perfecting institutions, the Prime Minister requested promoting the role of leaders, comrades Ministers, and Heads of ministerial-level agencies directly leading and directing the work of building and perfecting institutions;

Focus resources, have appropriate policies and regimes for cadres and civil servants working in legal affairs, especially in the work of building and perfecting institutions; further shorten the process of amending and supplementing legal documents to meet practical requirements; continue to refer to international experience, absorb contents suitable to the conditions and circumstances of our country; strengthen policy communication, especially communication in the process of building and promulgating laws, creating consensus and effectiveness in the process of building, promulgating and enforcing laws.

The Prime Minister emphasized the requirement to ensure progress and improve the quality of draft laws on the basis of closely following the Party's guidelines and policies, relevant State policies and laws, removing difficulties and obstacles in practice, handling issues that have been regulated but have been overcome in practice, and new issues that have not yet been regulated; enhancing policy response capacity; and ensuring processes and procedures are in accordance with regulations.

The Head of Government noted that policies, regulations and expressions should be designed to ensure clarity, brevity, ease of understanding, ease of implementation, ease of inspection, supervision and evaluation; and that attention should be paid to listening to opinions from experts, scientists, practitioners, businesses and citizens. For issues with differing opinions, specific plans should be designed and viewpoints should be clearly stated for consideration and decision by competent authorities.

The Prime Minister especially emphasized the requirement to eliminate the mechanism of asking for and giving to prevent and combat group interests, corruption, negativity, and violations; to minimize and simplify administrative procedures and business conditions, not to cause inconvenience, reduce costs and time for people and businesses; to promote decentralization and delegation of authority along with appropriate resource allocation, improve implementation capacity, strengthen inspection and supervision; and to unleash all resources for development .

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