The NA Standing Committee on December 24 met to give opinions on the National Assembly’s report on citizen petitions in October and November. Standing Vice Chairwoman of the Committee for People's Aspirations and Supervision Le Thi Nga said voters and the public expressed concern over severe rains and flooding that caused significant losses of lives and property.

Voters noted that business activities, the buying and selling of goods, and the provision of services via social networks and e-commerce platforms have been growing rapidly, contributing to the promotion of e-commerce, digital transformation, and modern consumption. 

However, state management in this field still has shortcomings, especially in tax administration, product origin, pricing, and product quality. Many serious violations are detected only after a long period, causing budget revenue losses and harm to consumers.

In addition, people are worried about online fraude and scams. The process of renewing and issuing driving licenses remains slow, causing difficulties for the public. The trading, transport, and use of drugs continue to occur, especially among young people.

Regarding the receipt and handling of voters’ petitions, Le Thi Nga said the Committee for Citizen Aspirations and Supervision compiled 757 petitions and transferred them to competent authorities for resolution in accordance with the law. To date, the standing body of the committee has received responses and resolution results for 304 petitions, with a resolution and response rate of 40.2 percent.

She said the number of citizen complaints, denunciations, petitions, and reflections has increased compared to September. In general, citizens coming to submit complaints have complied with legal regulations.

According to reports from localities, during the reporting period there were five complaint cases with signs of complexity related to security and public order that require competent authorities to review and resolve thoroughly. These cases were related to land issues, especially compensation, support, and resettlement when the State recovers land; environmental issues; and the construction and housing sector.

The Committee proposed that the Government direct ministries and sectors to strengthen management, inspection, and supervision of business activities in cyberspace, and continue to improve tax management mechanisms for organizations and individuals engaged in online business.

The Government also needs to pay attention to removing obstacles in the issuance and renewal of driving licenses, and to adopt measures to prevent criminals from using high technology to commit fraud and appropriate citizens’ assets. Ministries and sectors need to strictly control product origin, prices, and quality to protect consumers’ rights.

Concerns in major cities 

Speaking afterward, Vice Chair of the National Assembly Nguyen Khac Dinh said that currently in major cities, especially Hanoi, people are concerned primarily about three issues.

First is prolonged environmental pollution, which experts say causes many illnesses. He reiterated a statement by Party General Secretary To Lam: “If pollution is not addressed, no matter how many hospitals are built, it will not be enough.” He said that resolving environmental pollution cannot be done “in a day or two,” and that recently Hanoi has taken very positive steps and made strong efforts.

“People hope this situation will be resolved soon,” Dinh said.

Second is traffic congestion. Dinh said that after Hanoi appointed a new Party Secretary, this issue was directed decisively. State discipline and order must be ensured strictly, but attention should also be paid to livelihoods and resettlement for people in areas subject to clearance.

Third is flooding, not only in major cities but also in mountainous areas. The Vice Chair of the National Assembly said a comprehensive assessment of the causes is needed.

“In the past, rainfall was not as heavy, and areas did not flood as they do now. Therefore, we need to examine whether there are other causes, especially those related to hydropower and irrigation,” Dinh added.

Meanwhile, Chair of the National Assembly Committee on Science, Technology and Environment Nguyen Thanh Hai raised issues related to people’s daily lives. These include rising living costs and food prices, especially vegetables, which has put great pressure on people, particularly workers and retirees.

“This is an issue I have experienced in practice. For example, vegetable prices have doubled,” Hai said.

Tran Thuong