NA Standing Committee outlines supervision, lawmaking plans for 2017

The 13th National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee continued its 50th session on July 12, mapping out supervision and lawmaking programs for 2017.

The committee members agreed that the NA and its Standing Committee’s supervisory activities this year have been in line with the reality of the country and basically met voters’ expectations.

Their supervision focused on pressing issues that have considerable impact on the national socio-economic development, participants said, adding that the supervision of legal documents, reports and settlement of petitions and complaints are also underway.

NA Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong speaking at the NA Standing Committee's 50th session

NA Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong noted the supervision over the promulgation of legal normative documents is among the most ineffective supervised matters of the parliament, as seen through a lack of documents guiding the enforcement of a number of laws.

In the 14th tenure, which will begin in late July, the NA should pay more heed to this issue, she added.

The NA Standing Committee agreed that for 2017, the parliament will supervise the implementation of policies and laws on food quality, safety and hygiene management, and administrative reforms.

Meanwhile, the Committee will examine the execution of policies and laws on the investment in and operation of transport facilities constructed under the build-operate-transfer (BOT) format, along with those on fishermen and sea-based economic development.

A report delivered at the meeting says the 13th NA’s law and ordinance making program consist of 158 draft laws and ordinances, including the draft revised Constitution, 136 draft laws and codes, three draft resolutions of the NA, 15 draft ordinances and three draft resolutions of the Standing Committee.

In the 13th tenure (from 2011 to 2016), the parliament adopted the 2013 Constitution, 107 laws and codes, and one resolution. Its Standing Committee approved nine ordinances and three resolutions.

Most of the remaining drafts have been included in the 2016 program or suggested be included in the 2017 agenda.

The committee members also pointed out shortcomings such as the excessive number of drafts on the agenda causing an overload for lawmakers, vague regulations in some draft laws, and law enforcement’s dependence on guidance documents.

The report also notes that the draft law on protest was up for debate at the 13th NA’s 11th session. However, as it is a complex law that needs more time to be drafted, it will not be included in the law making program in 2017.