Those involved in corruption must be duly punished
Deputy Do Trong Ngoan from northern Bac Giang province questioned Mr Dung about the responsibility of the Government for hundreds of “suspended” projects, leading to losses to the State.

Mr Dung acknowledged the Government’s responsibility for the situation of “suspended” zoning in recent times and promised to duly punish those for slowly carrying out these projects. He said as this is a historical issue, zoning plans in a period of transition from the subsidised economy to the market economy should be renewed. If not, they will continue to be on hold.

The Prime Minister cited corruption cases relating to capital construction investment, particularly in projects using official development assistance. He said the Government will do its utmost to tackle the matter according to the law. Those who do not pay back capital losses will face severe punishment. 

Electricity prices must conform to market economy
Regarding the Ministry of Industry’s proposal to increase electricity prices, Mr Dung said the national economy must operate in line with the socialist-oriented market mechanism and electricity prices are not an exception. The State cannot subsidise the sector forever as it goes against the market economy, said Mr Dung.

According to the PM, the electricity sector is currently purchasing 15 percent of its total power supply to meet the increasing demand of users. As a result, every year it loses VND3 trillion. Despite its strong measures to reduce management costs, the sector has still failed to make up for losses. But in Mr Dung’s opinion, the adjustment of electricity prices will badly affect the production and business activities of all economic sectors as well as people’s daily life. Therefore, it requires public consideration of suitable options this time.

In fact, Mr Dung said, there is no good reason for the State to continue subsidising electricity prices for businesses.   

Vocational training and technology renovation need improving
Deputy Pham Quang Du from southern Ba Ria-Vung Tau province questioned the Prime Minister about the Government’s policy on crude oil exploitation in the coming time and the efficiency of the economic growth.

Mr Dung said this is a long-term strategy which is closely linked to the national development strategy. Every year, the Government makes necessary amendments and supplements to the strategy to ensure the oil and gas sector develops in an efficient and sustainable manner. He said the Government has approved the national oil and gas development strategy till 2020.

The PM also said that the quality of growth depends on various factors such as capital, labour and natural resources. To improve the quality, he said “we need proper solutions, with a focus on increasing the productivity based on good vocational training and technology renovation.”

Deputy Nguyen Lan Dung asked the Government to create favourable conditions for farmers to engage in the services and industrial sectors.

Mr Dung said the application of sci-tech advances to agricultural production in recent years has successfully helped increase productivity. However, he asked National Assembly deputies to increase their supervisory role to ensure the application is on track.

Deputy Tran Kim Luan from central coastal Phu Yen province asked Mr Dung about how to continue administrative reform without overlapping.

According to Mr Dung, administrative reform is one of the measures to make the State apparatus operate more efficiently. He said the Government has devised the second phase of the administrative reform scheme and make public steps towards administrative procedures for people to oversee the implementation process. 

The question time shows responsibility  
National Assembly Nguyen Phu Trong praised Cabinet ministers and NA deputies for their high sense of responsibility and cooperation during the three-day question time.

He said many Cabinet members had made good preparations for their answers, acknowledged their shortcomings and proposed solutions for pending issues. However, several ministers did not satisfy deputies as their answers were not clear about the level of responsibility resting with themselves or their ministries.”

He asked deputies to pay more attention to the question time between the two sessions of the National Assembly instead of raising too many questions in each session. In addition, deputies should keep a closer watch on pressing issues to ensure they will be tackled in due course.

He also reminded Cabinet members of their promises before the National Assembly and hoped that they will work harder and more effectively to meet the aspirations of voters and people across the country.