Deploying officials to the grassroots level to ensure smooth governance operations

For the first time, 34 officials from central agencies have been assigned to localities, and nearly 300 provincial-level civil servants have been seconded to commune and ward-level administrations to help address bottlenecks in land management.

An officer from the Bien Hoa branch of the Dong Nai Provincial Land Registration Office assists citizens with land-related procedures at Tran Bien ward. Photo: Hoang Loc

This unprecedented move reflects the proactive and resolute efforts of the agriculture and environment sector to improve the effectiveness of state governance and contribute to the smooth functioning of the two-tier local government model.

Proactively dispatching officials to the grassroots

Land management is a highly sensitive area that directly impacts citizens' and businesses' rights. Any delays or complications in administrative procedures can impede people's legal rights, slow down project execution, and undermine trust in public administration.

To ensure the smooth and efficient operation of the two-tier local government system, on August 11, the Minister of Agriculture and Environment signed Decision No. 3161/QD-BNNMT to assign 34 officials from the Department of Land Management to work in 34 provinces and cities for a period of three months.

During a working session in Dong Nai on August 27, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Le Cong Thanh stated that deploying officials from central agencies to localities is not only intended to provide technical guidance, but more importantly, to promptly grasp emerging challenges and issues at the grassroots level. This undertaking allows the ministry to develop and issue more practical and context-specific regulations and guidelines. At the same time, the ministry has established 10 working groups across 34 provinces and cities to provide on-site guidance and address initial difficulties. “This is how the central government works in tandem with local authorities in the field of natural resources and environment, helping the two-tier local government system operate smoothly and improving the quality of public service delivery,” said Le Cong Thanh.

Even before the central government rolled out this initiative, on July 1, the Dong Nai Department of Agriculture and Environment had already deployed 198 officials from the Provincial Land Registration Office and its branches to local wards, communes, and the Provincial Public Administration Service Center to assist in handling land records and performing environment-related tasks. Subsequently, on September 8, the department continued to assign an additional 95 officials from the Provincial Land Registration Office to work at 95 commune- and ward-level People’s Committees through the end of 2025.

Nguyen Tuan Anh, Provincial Party Committee member and Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment, stated that the Ministry’s support is essential, especially in areas where new decentralization policies are being applied. “Central-level officials not only provide hands-on guidance but also listen and gather feedback from localities, helping the Ministry issue policies that are grounded in reality,” Tuan Anh noted.

For the province, assigning provincial officials to commune-level units helps resolve administrative procedures within the jurisdiction of the commune or ward and provides on-the-job guidance to local staff. Another key task is to identify difficulties and obstacles at the grassroots and promptly report them to the department for timely resolution or escalation to higher authorities. “We are always closely accompanying and supporting civil servants on assignment. The department will work closely with localities to create the best conditions for them to fulfill their tasks,” Tuan Anh affirmed.

Le Thanh Tuan, Director of the Provincial Land Registration Office, shared that only qualified and experienced staff were selected for this mission. The office also designated leaders to monitor and assist these officials in their assigned areas directly. “We maintain close coordination with local authorities to ensure that the administrative system functions smoothly and effectively,” Tuan said.

Since July 1, the Department of Agriculture and Environment has carried out two deployment rounds: phase 1 (from July 1) involved 198 officials, and phase 2 (from September 5) involved 95 officials.

Supporting the effective operation of the two-tier local government model

The reinforcement of local administrative capacity through seconded personnel from higher levels aims to ensure the smooth operation of the two-tier local government system, thereby enhancing public service quality. In addition, these seconded civil servants help gather grassroots-level feedback and policy recommendations, which are reported to competent authorities to facilitate the development of synchronized and practical solutions.

Officials from the Dau Giay branch of the Dong Nai Provincial Land Registration Office have been deployed to Long Binh ward to assist local residents with land-related administrative procedures

In Dau Giay commune, Dong Nai province, multiple land recovery projects are underway to serve land use auctions, expressway construction, and the development of resettlement areas. According to Mai Van Hien, Chairman of the Commune People’s Committee, the implementation process has exposed numerous challenges, particularly a shortage of specialized personnel, difficulties in compensation and resettlement support, land pricing, and the functioning of the Commune Land Valuation Council. In this context, deploying staff from the Provincial Land Registration Office and its branches to assist local authorities has proven to be a necessary solution, helping to remove bottlenecks, accelerate the progress of key infrastructure projects, and safeguard the legitimate rights of residents.

This policy of strengthening grassroots administrative capacity goes beyond merely clearing the backlog of land-related paperwork. It plays a critical role in institutional improvement and rebuilding public trust. It is a concrete step toward achieving the goal of a service-oriented administration that prioritizes the real and tangible needs of citizens and businesses.

At the same time, the policy creates opportunities for seconded civil servants to apply their capabilities and pursue long-term career development. According to Nguyen Tuan Anh, Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment, those who perform well, complete their assignments with excellence, and contribute innovative ideas will be considered for promotion and reassigned to new positions suited to their strengths. For those who wish to continue working at the commune or ward level, the department will actively support their professional development.

Ho Van Ha, Provincial Party Committee member and Vice Chairman of the Dong Nai People’s Committee, stated that in addition to the Department of Agriculture and Environment assigning personnel to communes and wards to support technical tasks, the province has also introduced policies to strengthen staffing in localities currently carrying out land clearance and compensation. Specifically, the province has directed the transfer of personnel from the Provincial Land Fund Development Center to assist localities implementing key infrastructure and public investment projects, such as in Phuoc Tan ward, Tri An commune, and several other communes and wards that will soon be added to the program.

By Hong Loc - Translated by Hong Van, Minho