Two-level government: Testing mettle, affirming grassroots leadership capacity

The implementation of the 2-level local government model is a major step in administrative reform, not only streamlining the apparatus but also posing new requirements for the thinking, capacity and service spirit of the staff, especially at the grassroots level. In particular, commune and ward leaders are at the forefront of the transformation, a place of challenges but also a place to affirm capacity and mettle.

Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh and leaders of Lam Dong province during an inspection of activities in Duc Trong commune. Photo: N. Nghia

1. More than a month and a half since the two-level local government model officially came into operation, public opinion, cadres, party members and people across the country in general and in the province in particular, have paid special attention to the effectiveness of implementation, especially at the commune and ward levels where they directly contact people and handle most of the essential daily administrative procedures.

Initially, positive signals have been recorded: Localities have quickly completed the arrangement of the organizational apparatus, maintained smooth administrative operations, and avoided interruptions. The new government system has shifted from passive administration to proactive service, from management to development creation. In particular, bringing the Public Administration Service Center (PASC) to the commune level is considered an important highlight in administrative reform, helping people access public services quickly and conveniently, right at their place of residence.

TTPVHCC staff of Tanh Linh commune strive to serve the people

In Tanh Linh commune, in addition to the central headquarters, a document reception point is located 20 km away from the commune to facilitate people in remote areas. The staff working at the TTPVHCC all have solid expertise in areas such as land, household registration, policies, etc., creating conditions for effective receipt and processing of documents. Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tu - a specialist in the land sector shared: "The new system, new software, and changing procedures make it inevitable that there will be difficulties at first. However, the reception staff must have a firm grasp of the regulations to guide people correctly from the beginning, limit travel, and avoid late processing." The initial results are very encouraging: the TTPVHCC of Tanh Linh commune has received more than 1,500 documents, with a pre-scheduled resolution rate of up to 99.9%.

Not only Tanh Linh, the spirit of initiative, responsibility and continuous learning is common in many localities. In Suoi Kiet commune, the Department of Culture and Society has only 6 staff but is in charge of many tasks: from resolving policies for the elderly, ethnic and religious affairs, to preparing for the new school year, digital transformation, disease prevention and control, etc. Deputy Head of the Department of Culture and Society Le Thi Kim Phuong said: "We clearly assign people and tasks. With the policy of supporting the elderly according to Decree 176, we proactively coordinate with villages and hamlets to guide people to prepare documents, initially verify from the locality, so when arriving at the commune, we only need to confirm and that's it."

The workload is increasing, the requirements are getting higher, while not all localities have enough infrastructure and human resources. However, many officials still strive to overcome difficulties, without complaining. Ms. Nguyen Thi Huong - Chief of Office of Dong Kho Commune People's Committee shared: "For more than a month now, we have been working through lunch, and coming home in the evening when the children are asleep. But we clearly define: Mission is above all".

Vice Chairman of Dong Kho Commune People's Committee - Nguyen Ngoc Vu acknowledged: "This is a comprehensive test of the organizational capacity, adaptability and service spirit of the collective. We are determined to carry it out together."

Mr. Nguyen Van Nia is satisfied with the support and guidance of local officials.

2. Difficulties still exist, but the way to overcome difficulties has gradually taken shape and yielded initial sweet fruits. There is no need for grand slogans, people's satisfaction is the clearest proof of the effectiveness of government service. In Tanh Linh commune, Ms. Trieu Thi Linh (Tan Thanh village) came to make a red book inheritance file. Although the procedure has not been completed, she is still satisfied: "The staff gave full instructions, took clear notes, gave careful instructions, and even left a phone number for me to call when needed. I feel very comfortable."

Meanwhile, Mr. Nguyen Van Nia (Lac Hoa village, Tanh Linh commune) after receiving the decision to receive social benefits, excitedly said: "Now I don't have to go far. The children gave me detailed instructions and did it quickly. I'll have the results in 3 days."

People in many localities in the province also said that when they come to the commune or ward, they are given specific instructions and their documents are received quickly. These small but practical changes have contributed to building trust and strengthening the relationship between the people and the local government.

People's satisfaction is the final and fairest measure for any administrative reform. If the two-level government does not take the people as the center, if the grassroots team does not change from thinking to action, then all policies will only remain on paper. Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Ho Van Muoi once frankly pointed out: "In the recent past, it has shown that the capacity and qualifications of officials are sometimes and in some places not really perfect. The staff must improve their capacity and proactively remove obstacles. Anything directly related to the people must be done wholeheartedly and with all their might, without letting the people complain." This realizes the guiding spirit of General Secretary To Lam : "The thinking now must be different, we must proactively solve people's problems."

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh sent a message to the leadership team of 124 communes, wards and special economic zones across the province: “We organize a two-level government not only to streamline the apparatus, but also to be closer to the people and serve them better. And the people who take on that role are the comrades in the communes and wards”. The Deputy Prime Minister also paid special attention to the key role of grassroots cadres in practical implementation, and pointed out: “The initial stage is always full of challenges, especially in remote communes, lacking human resources and infrastructure. But it is in such circumstances that the spirit of daring to think, daring to do, and dedicating oneself to the people of the commune-level cadres is truly revealed most clearly”.

The two-level government is in operation, but the long-term problem of improving the quality of grassroots staff is still a constant task. We must not be subjective, we must not "rest on our laurels" as the Central Committee advised. Because this is not only a challenge to the capacity of the apparatus, but also a test of the political mettle, public ethics and spirit of serving the people of each grassroots cadre.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/chinh-quyen-2-cap-thu-thach-ban-linh-khang-dinh-nang-luc-lanh-dao-co-so-387695.html