Online Public Services of State Treasury: reforming comes to life

The State Treasury has completed the "coverage" of public services to nearly 100% of budget-using units across the country. Photo: Thùy Linh

Changing the "appearance" of public administration

Chieng Den Commune, Son La City, Son La Province is one of the communes with a relatively fast growth rate due to the implementation of a new rural programme. Together with that development, the public administrative units in the area are changing day by day.

Nguyen Giang Son - an accountant of the People's Committee of Chieng Den commune said that for many years, the commune People's Committee has continuously updated and renovated the way of working, working with district administrative units to implement the reform of administrative procedures.

When the State Treasury of Son La implemented public services, Chieng Den commune was one of the pioneering units in the implementation because the commune leaders "envisioned" the benefits public service services bring, especially to the communes in the distance, roads are difficult to travel through the mountain pass like Chieng Den. Therefore, according to Son, excitement was the main spirit when implementing the services provided by Son La State Treasury and the results were as expected.

"Just manipulating a few “clicks" can perform many administrative procedures of the unit in their offices. The public administrative services of the units in the area have helped the integration and socialisation of the commune has become better, following national development progress. We are quite proud that even though being a poor commune, it is no less than any other major unit in the integration and enhance application of information technology in professional activities" Son excitedly said.

This is not only the story of accountants of Chieng Den commune, but also of many other district and commune budget users across the country. Units using the budget can perform the Treasury's administrative services for activities like salary payment and salary allowances, regular labour wages under contracts, additional income, bonus; allowances and other subsidies; electricity, water and telephone bills; stationery, guest reception; expenses for regular purchases and minor repairs under VND 20 million.

According to many budget users, participation in public service to control spending through the Treasury has brought many benefits such as: saving travel time and reducing operating costs (stationery and printing). In addition, the signing of approval and sending documents to the State Treasury with digital signatures is a measure to ensure safety and security in online transactions, and prevent signatures and seals from being tampered with units using the budget. Therefore, public service provider, on the one hand, bring convenience, on the other hand, they have helped the administrative activities of the budget user unit to have great progress in the "revolution" of implementing e-government.

Promoting strength at the most difficult times

In addition to contributing to the implementation of e-Government, the online public service utilities of the Treasury have been clearly demonstrated in the last year.

During social distancing due to the Covid-19 pandemic in April 2020, although the movement and communication were limited, the budget expenditure was related to the using budget units must still be implemented regularly, fully and on time. This was the time that the public service maximises "strength". No need to go to the Treasury or office, accountants as well as the heads of the units can still execute "orders" to pay for civil servants, public employees of the unit enjoying full salary and welfare expenses.

At the time when the central region suffered the raging flood in July 2020, the budget spending in the provinces of Thua Thien Hue, Quang Binh and Quang Tri was still smooth, timely and fast, especially payment of social security expenses, flood and storm prevention. At that time, the implementation of payments for the units using the budget was quite high.

Phan Dinh Ty, Director of Quang Tri State Treasury shared: “At that time, the State Treasury ensured payment requirements, especially payments for social security, prevention of storms and floods. There are supports through organisations, unions for flood and storm people to pay in time, including cash as well as transfer money thanks to the public services.”

The role of the public service has never been clearly identified as today. With the State Treasury system in particular, the role of technology has been affirmed, not only ensuring transparency and publicity but also ensuring continuity of public services in the situation of natural disasters and unexpected diseases.