According to Directive No. 14/CT-UBND dated December 9, 2024, of the People's Committee of Son La province, the work of practicing thrift and combating waste in 2024 in Son La has achieved many positive results. Local mechanisms and policies have been continuously improved, difficulties and obstacles have been removed, and they basically meet practical requirements. Inspection, auditing, and supervision have been strengthened, and the awareness and responsibility of the heads of departments, agencies, units, and the People's Committees of districts and cities have been enhanced.

However, despite the achievements, the province's thrift and anti-corruption efforts still have some limitations and shortcomings. Some targets for thrift and anti-corruption have not been met. In light of this situation, the Directive of the Son La Provincial People's Committee requires all levels, sectors, agencies, and units using state budget funds to focus on implementing several key tasks in 2025.

A view of Son La city.

Raising awareness and improving the legal system.

To create a solid foundation for the work of thrift and anti-corruption, the People's Committee of Son La province requests continued dissemination and promotion of Directive No. 27-CT/TW of the Politburo, the Law on Thrift and Anti-Corruption, and guiding documents to all cadres, civil servants, employees, and the people. The implementation of this work should be closely linked to the implementation of Resolution No. 4 of the 12th Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and Directive No. 05-CT/TW dated May 15, 2016, of the Politburo on "Promoting the study and emulation of Ho Chi Minh's thought, morality, and style."

Besides raising awareness, the People's Committee of Son La province also focuses on continuing to review, supplement, and improve regulations on thrift and anti-waste measures, concentrating on clearly defining the responsibilities, powers, and tasks of agencies, organizations, collectives, and individuals, especially the heads of departments. At the same time, research, revision, and improvement of the system of standards, regulations, economic-technical norms, and unit prices for public expenditure are also emphasized to serve as a basis for reducing waste in the use of capital, assets, resources, labor, and working time, thereby improving the efficiency of thrift and anti-waste measures.

Strengthening the management of public budgets and assets.

In the field of budget management, the People's Committee of Son La province requested strengthening the management of budget revenue sources in the province, especially domestic revenue. Implementing policies to cultivate and exploit stable and sustainable revenue sources is considered a key solution to carry out key tasks, with a priority on increasing social investment.

Regarding budget spending, Son La province advocates for thorough savings and combating waste in recurrent expenditures. Specifically, the management of state budget expenditures must be proactive, thoroughly saving on recurrent spending, reviewing and cutting unnecessary or slow-to-implement expenditure tasks. The budget is prioritized for socio-economic development, disaster prevention and mitigation, disease control, climate change adaptation, social welfare tasks, national security and defense, and salary reform in accordance with the National Assembly's Resolution and the Government's Decree.

The directive also requires tightening financial and budgetary discipline; managing and using recurrent expenditure funds strictly, thoroughly, efficiently, and in accordance with regulations. Funds should only be allocated to truly necessary, important, and urgent tasks. Mechanisms and policies that are deemed inappropriate or wasteful will be reviewed and abolished, and no new policies will be issued until sufficient funding is allocated. The handling of surpluses, fund transfers, and final settlement of recurrent expenditure tasks must comply with the provisions of the State Budget Law and its guiding documents.

In the management of public assets, the People's Committee of Son La province requested the accelerated implementation of the Law on Management and Use of Public Assets and its implementing regulations. The rearrangement and handling of land and buildings of agencies, units, and enterprises according to regulations must be completed. Land and buildings used improperly or exceeding standards and quotas will be resolutely reclaimed. The procurement of assets must comply with standards, quotas, and regulations, ensuring economy, efficiency, transparency, and openness.

Combating waste in investment, land management, and resource management.

The People's Committee of Son La province pays special attention to combating waste in basic construction investment. Investment resources need to be concentrated on key projects of the province, the National Target Program for building new rural areas, sustainable poverty reduction, and important and urgent tasks serving socio-economic development. Investment must be focused, avoiding scattered and dispersed investments; outstanding debts in basic construction must be resolved completely, and no new debts should be incurred.

Projects that are not truly necessary or urgent will be resolutely cut short. Control over the number of new projects will be tightened, ensuring that each new project has a specific explanation of its necessity, investment efficiency, and compliance with legal regulations. Capital allocation will only be given to projects that have completed all investment procedures and have been approved by the competent authority.

In land and mineral resource management, Son La province is strengthening supervision, inspection, and monitoring of the implementation of the Land Law, land use planning, and other legal documents on land use. Areas of land and water used wastefully, inefficiently, or in violation of the law will be dealt with and reclaimed. The exploitation of minerals for construction materials must be strictly controlled, balancing exploitation and mineral reserves, and ensuring sustainable development of the mining industry in conjunction with environmental protection and national defense and security.

Strengthen inspection and supervision, and promote the role of the people.

To ensure the effective implementation of the Directive, the People's Committee of Son La province requests that all departments, agencies, and branches; the Chairmen of the People's Committees of districts, cities, and towns; and all agencies and units using state budget funds develop and issue Action Programs on thrift and anti-corruption for 2025 within their respective fields and scopes of management. Reporting on the results of thrift and anti-corruption implementation every six months and annually is a mandatory requirement for all agencies and units.

State inspection agencies at all levels will strengthen guidance, inspection, and supervision of the implementation of legal regulations on thrift, anti-corruption, and waste prevention. Key areas for inspection and supervision include: Land management and use; the implementation of public investment projects; management and use of office buildings; procurement, equipping, management, and use of vehicles; work equipment; medical equipment, preventive and curative medicines; implementation of policies and laws on the equitization of state-owned enterprises; use of public assets for business purposes, leasing, joint ventures, and partnerships; and management, use, and exploitation of natural resources and minerals.

The Vietnam Fatherland Front Committees at all levels and political and social organizations are required to strengthen their guidance in effectively implementing grassroots democracy regulations and promoting the people's supervisory role over the activities of agencies and units. Emphasis is also placed on the transparency and openness of information regarding thrift and anti-corruption efforts to facilitate public participation in monitoring and contribute to improving the effectiveness of this work.

With comprehensive and decisive solutions, Son La province is confident that the implementation of thrift and anti-corruption measures in 2025 will achieve positive results, contributing to improved resource utilization and promoting the socio-economic development of the province.

Duong Nguyen