Draft law lays foundations for capital's future The deputy from Ca Mau province speaks at the meeting.   ( Image: Tran Hai ) National Assembly deputies yesterday agreed that the promulgation of a law covering the development of greater Hanoi, known as the Capital Law, would create a solid legal foundation for the construction and management of the city. The draft law has four chapters and 33 articles. It lists 16 specific policies and mechanisms for the city as the nation's political and administrative centre. These focus on seven areas: planning, culture, education and training, science and technology, the environment, economics and finance – and security, social law and order. Most deputies said specific policies were needed for the capital because it was the country's heart, the home of many important political and administrative offices and international organisations. Deputies Dao Trong Thi from Hanoi and Le Van Hoc from Central Highland Lam Dong Province said that to develop, the broader capital city region needed priority in investment, financial mechanisms and human resources. 'However,' Hoc said, 'It not only needs specific policies, but also those providing strict management.' He added that the capital should be a model for the whole country in management and operation activities. Hoc also suggested that the law should have an article outlining the way to move industrial production, education and medical units to the outskirts areas to reduce population and traffic density. He added that although this had been promoted for several years, the city had still failed to achieve much because everybody wanted to live in the city. 'The law should give financial priority to develop the capital,' said deputy Nguyen Ngoc Bao from northern Vinh Phuc Province. Bao said that the draft law mentioned many important aspects of the capital, such as its history and culture. Deputy Nguyen Thanh Hai from northern Hoa Binh Province said that beside the privileges and special advantages for the capital, the draft mentioned nothing about the side effects of urbanisation and increasing population. 'Capital residents would have to shoulder more pressure from the increase in prices, traffic and environment,' said Hai. 'The capital city region includes inner and outer areas. I have heard nothing about agricultural development for those living on the outskirts.' Many deputies said they were concerned that an increase in Hanoi's population would pose many challenges to socio-economic development if attempts were not made to tighten the movement of people from outer to inner areas seeking work. Deputy Nguyen Duc Chung from Hanoi City said Hanoi's population had increased dramatically in the past five years. According to Chung, the city has more than 1.8 million households with 7.1 million people, of which nearly 1million are said to be temporary residents. Ho Chi Minh City's population density was 4,000 people per square kilometre while the figure in Dong Da District in Hanoi was 37,000 people – and in Hai Ba Trung District 30,000. Deputy Huynh Thanh Lap from Ho Chi Minh City said that urban cities faced overload that led to a reduction in living and service quality. Most deputies backed a proposal to make Khue Van Cac (Van Mieu Temple of Literature) the capital's symbol. The deputies also discussed amendments and supplements to the Law on Personal Income Tax and the Law on Conciliation Work at the local levels. Most agreed with the draft Law on Personal Income Tax which wants to raise family deductions to VND9 million (US$432) instead of VND4 million (US$192) per month; raise the deduction for dependants to VND3.6 million (US$172) instead of VND1.6 million (US$76) per month; and adjust family deductions if there is price volatility of more than 20%. Deputy Nguyen Van Minh from Ho Chi Minh City said it was necessary to increase family deductions for those suffering from incurable diseases to VND7.2 million (US$345). Deputy Thach Thi Dan from southern Tra Vinh Province said the law should stipulate allowances and subsidies for sectors such as health and education to reflect special State treatment. Deputies also suggested that it was unreasonable to levy taxes on allowances to mothers and those working with toxic substances. They also required that the draft law, after being approved, should go into operation on January 1. In terms of Law on Conciliation Work, most deputies agreed with the need to issue the law after 13 years of implementing an ordinance on grassroots reconciliation work. This would promote people's choices of solving disputes, making it unnecessary to take them to State agencies or people's courts. Deputy Nguyen Thi Thanh Hoa from northern Bac Ninh Province said that the law should select and accredit mediators as this was voluntary work. (VNS)