VietNamNet Bridge – Former National Assembly Economic and Budget Committee chairman Dang Van Thanh told Thoi bao Kinh te Viet Nam (Vietnam Economic Times) that the National Assembly shouldn't dictate every line of the State budget.

Finance and budgeting is a highly specialised business which NA deputies sometimes get out of focus. How do we solve that problem?

In my opinion, Assembly sessions should select and analyse only the crucial issues related to finance strategies, budget estimates, spending and balance sheets.

The Assembly should not discuss every issue without a definite aim. It should be sparing when it comes to discussing small matters and those related to specific management.

It would be better to allow the Government to allocate and manage the budget.

What would the Government need to do to gain the Assembly's support in allocating and managing the budget once allowed?

The Government needs to strengthen the transparency and confidentiality of information provided to the Assembly on socio-economic development tasks and strategies, budget orientation and appraisal reports on income and expenditure.

The Government would be expected to strengthen the transparency of budget estimates and reflect more accurately the national finance situation so that it is reliable and verifiable.

It is essential to update not only socio-economic development, national economy and finance, the Government also needs to systematically grasp policies with a view to analysing and deciding on general issues and specific content of finance and the budget.

Information about finance and budget must be comprehensive, containing information of the past and present and could be based on to make forecasts for the future. Data banks, multi-sided information are also needed to satisfy minimum foundations for making appraisal reports and decision.

But the Assembly can't be passive in waiting for the Government to do the job. It needs to bring its supervision role into play whereas the State audit seems to have been weak in the past.

What is needed is a body in charge of following up on audit results within the NA. The audit inspects the legality, confidentiality and efficiency of budget revenue and spending. State audit's opinions must be a confidential foundation to help the Assembly debate State budget issues. To do so, the State audit needs to be objective, abide by the law and accurately reflect the truth.

Has the National Assembly fulfilled its responsibilities in examining and making decisions on the State budget and finance in the past years?

Considering and deciding on the budget is a complicated task for the Assembly in its role of regulating the macro-economy. The Assembly will be able to affirm its position, enhance responsibility and consolidate trust with the people about its real power once it can well implement the above-said task above well.

In my opinion, the Assembly has concentrated its efforts and brain power to do the job.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News