Hanoi is planning to establish a Public Administration Service Center to replace the current "one-stop" administrative service units, with the aim of saving approximately VND231 billion (over $9 million) annually.

The Office of the Hanoi People's Committee recently submitted a proposal, seeking approval for the pilot project. The proposed Public Administration Service Center will serve as the central hub for providing public services across the city, addressing the inefficiencies of the current system.

The proposal identifies several limitations within the existing administrative framework, which includes 677 scattered service units across various agencies, organizations, and localities. This fragmentation poses challenges for residents and businesses, who are required to travel to multiple locations to complete administrative procedures.

Moreover, the current system - where service units are embedded within the agencies responsible for resolving administrative matters - lacks strong oversight, leading to limited transparency and public accountability. Civil servants at these "one-stop" units often take on these roles as additional duties, which diminishes professionalism and affects overall productivity.

The establishment of the Public Administration Service Center aims to streamline administrative processes, reduce corruption, and enhance transparency. Citizens and businesses will be able to complete all necessary procedures at a single location, thereby cutting down on travel time and costs.

Additionally, the integration of information technology into administrative processes is expected to improve productivity. The swift and transparent procedures will help build trust and satisfaction among residents and businesses.

According to the proposal, the Public Administration Service Center in Hanoi will operate as an administrative agency under the city's People's Committee, with its main office located at 102 Hai Ba Trung Street, Cua Nam Ward, Hoan Kiem District. The center is expected to launch in October 2024.

This new center will reduce the number of "one-stop" service units from 677 to just 30 branches, optimizing resources. Surplus staff from the eliminated units will be reassigned to fill vacancies in other areas.

The reduction in the number of civil servants and public employees handling administrative procedures at these units is also anticipated. The Hanoi People's Committee Office estimates that the creation of the Public Administration Service Center will save approximately VND 231 billion annually. These savings will come from reduced infrastructure costs, maintenance, and salaries for civil servants at the "one-stop" units.

The saved resources could be reallocated to other critical areas or invested in technology to support the digitization and automation of administrative procedures. Additionally, these funds will help address salary and additional income issues for civil servants and public employees.

Phong Quang