LookAtVietnam – National Assembly deputies on October 21, discussed the draft laws on natural resources tax and elderly people.

Elderly people in Phong Tho district in the northern mountainous province of Lai Chau receive health treatment. Law on the elderly is under discussion by the Assembly.

The law therefore should list in more detail kinds of natural resources subject to the tax to ensure its transparency, he said.

Deputy Dang Khoi Nguyen from Ha Noi agreed with the NA Committee for Finance and Budgeting that the law should create an important management tool to help best use natural resources for the country’s economic development while protecting its resources, particularly those which were still untapped.

Regarding the tax rate, deputy Quyen agreed that it was unreasonable to entrust the Government to decide the tax rate.

Based on the constitution and law relating to the National Assembly, only the NA had the rights to decide issues relating to tax policies, including tax rates applied to organisations and individuals, Quyen said.

In special cases, the NA would entrust the NA Standing Committee to consider and decide the tax rates, he added.

This power is outlined in the Constitution and he said it was clear that the NA had the rights to decide tax rates, he said.

Decision on tax rates is directly related to the rights and obligations of organisations and individuals as well as the stability of the business, production, investment environment and the living conditions of people so it must be made by the legislative body, he stressed.

Some deputies said the natural resources tax was a reasonable measure that would hardly be affected by the effects of global prices or import and export taxes, so was essential in the creation of a stable legal framework for this kind of tax.

Law on Elderly

National Assembly deputies yesterday were unanimous that the Law on the Elderly was necessary and entirely in keeping with Vietnamese culture and morals.

The law, which includes six chapters and 31 articles, describes Vietnamese citizens over 60 years old as elderly, regardless of gender and locality.

Deputy Bui Tuyet Minh from southern Kien Giang province suggested the NA consider the issue of foreigners with Vietnamese nationality residing in Viet Nam to be included in the law.

Regarding social allowances, it was recommended that the elderly aged over 85 who do not have retirement pensions and social insurance allowances receive VND180,000 (US$10) per month, 1.5 times higher than the current figure.

It was estimated that the State would need nearly VND2.4 trillion ($130 million) to support 1.2 million people by the time it is put into effect.

Deputy Sung Thi Chu from northern Yen Bai province said the Government should consider adjusting the social allowances to make it equivalent to half the minimum wage. By doing so, the Government would not have to adjust the policy again and again, she said.

Deputy Vi Trong Le from northern Phu Tho province suggested that the draft should mention the elderly who are responsible for bringing up and looking after children.

Deputy Le Thi Nguyet from northern Vinh Phuc province said that the law should not include the elderly with disabilities and AO/dioxin or HIV/AIDS infections as they should be listed in the Law on HIV/AIDS Prevention and the Ordinance on Disabled People.

Meanwhile, deputy Nguyen Lan Dung from Central Highland Dak Lak province argued that some regulations on favourable policies for the elderly were infeasible.

He noted that there were currently about 20 million elderly people, one-quarter of the country’s population, most of them living in rural and remote areas.

Even for those living in big cities and urban areas found it difficult in accessing good healthcare and leisure activities, let alone the elderly in disadvantaged areas, Dung said.

Deputy Phung Chi Kien from Son La province agreed with Dung and suggested the law to be made more appropriate to every kinds of elderly people by distinguishing by their urban or rural habitats, and those with advantageous economic situations.

Regarding the role of family in looking after the elderly, deputy Do Manh Hung from northern Thai Nguyen province recommended that the law should further clarify the rights and responsibilities of family members and relatives in taking care of their elderly.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News