LookAtVietnam – In a key effort to ensure energy security and prevent Viet Nam from becoming dependant on energy imports, while also maintaining sustainable development . . .

Deputy Nguyen Trung Nhan from southern Can Tho City, among others, said energy savings would naturally lead to efficiency. “We can call it the ‘Law on Energy Savings’,” he said.

A deputy from southernmost Ca Mau Province, Dang Nhu Loi, said he did not agree with the definition of “energy” in the draft law which lead to an inappropriate title for the draft law.

Loi added that the law should be called the “Law on Electric Utility, Fuel Savings and Efficiency”.

Some proposed the NA expand the draft law to include natural resource exploitation and energy production. With this adjustment, the law should be called the “Law on Energy Savings.”

According to a Government statement, activities on energy resource exploitation and energy production (electricity) were already revised by the Laws on Minerals, Electricity, Oil & Gas and Atomic Energy.

The draft law discussed yesterday focused on defining the responsibility of organisations and individuals in the energy utility sector.

Deputy Nguyen Thi Thanh Huyen from northern Phu Tho Province did not agree. Huyen said the draft law should include responsibility for energy savings during the exploitation and production processes as well.

Therefore, the law needed to be revised to include activities related to the energy savings and efficiency in the entire process, from exploitation, production to end-use.

Deputy Nguyen Van Phat from central Thanh Hoa Province shared his views that regulations should be added to stipulate the State’s policy responsibilities and measure development to ensure national energy security and the reasonable use of renewable and non-renewable energy.

Nguyen Thi Thanh Huyen from Phu Tho said many vague regulations were included in the draft. It was lacking forced obligations, which would render the law unfeasible.

Many said the compilation board needed more studies to clarify the law and make it more efficient. Specific and clear regulations should be included in the law, they added.

Law on the Disabled

In yesterday’s morning session, NA deputies discussed the draft law on the disabled.

They all agreed to promulgate the law which will help ensure civil rights for the disabled. It will create a legal framework, favourable conditions and equal opportunities for them to improve their lives.

Deputy Le Van Cuong from the central province of Thanh Hoa said the classification of disabled people was important because it would give authorities a basis for supplying timely and suitable support.

Therefore, there should be strict classification regulations to prevent people from taking advantage of priority policies for individual profit, he suggested.

The Ordinance on Disabled People has been in effect for more than 10 years but authorities have yet to complete the classification activities, he added.

Policies for disabled people who have recovered their health were also not regulated, deputies said.

Some deputies said that it was necessary to diversify forms of support given to the disabled. Since enterprises and agencies still hesitate to employ disabled people, the Government should develop preferential policies to help the employers deal with associated difficulties.

Deputies suggested the Government should ensure access for disabled people to State agencies, hospitals, schools and public transport, which is limited at this time.

Public works and public transport must satisfy accessibility standards so that the disabled have access, they said.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News