Strictly review poor and near-poor households from the grassroots level

From this September, localities in Hai Duong will simultaneously review poor and near-poor households in 2023. To ensure fairness and support for the right subjects, poverty reduction assessment must be done in accordance with the correct procedures and strictly right from the grassroots level.

Tight, right target

On September 19, the People's Committee of Hai Duong City provided guidance on the process and methods for conducting a general census and screening of poor households, near-poor households, and households working in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries with average living standards according to the multidimensional poverty standard for city investigators. During the guidance process, many concerns and problems were discussed and thoroughly resolved.

Mr. Truong Van Lung, Head of the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs of Hai Duong City, said that the work of investigating and reviewing poor and near-poor households has been carried out since previous years, but it still needs careful guidance so that investigators can grasp the process and not make incorrect statistics or assessments of the criteria of poor and near-poor households.

Since August, the Provincial People's Committee has issued a Plan to review poor and near-poor households in 2023 and a process to identify households working in agriculture, forestry and fishery with an average living standard in the period of 2022-2025 in Hai Duong province. The Provincial People's Committee requires localities to properly implement the process and forms. The review process must have the full participation of relevant levels, sectors and people to monitor. Absolutely do not chase after achievements to distort the poverty situation of the locality, omitting poor and near-poor households. The results of the review of poor and near-poor households must accurately reflect the real situation of people's lives.

This year, the investigators are no longer confused with the scoring tables and charts like in the first years of the review. Mr. Nguyen Trong Dam, Party Cell Secretary and Head of Hoang Hoa Village, Cam Dien Commune (Cam Giang) said that although they are more proficient than before, the investigators still have to work with caution, meticulousness and accuracy to give the right score, ensuring the rights of the people. The investigators not only listen to the families providing information but also observe and learn more from neighboring households to have accurate information, not to identify the wrong subjects.

The process of screening poor and near-poor households is thoroughly trained by the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, helping them to comply with regulations. Each village and residential area usually has 2-3 investigators. After completing the information collection, the local appraisal council must also seriously evaluate. The list of households recognized as poor and near-poor households is publicly posted at the cultural houses of villages and residential areas. Ms. Ha Thi Thuy, a cultural and social officer of Thanh Binh Ward (Hai Duong City) affirmed: "The process of recognizing poor and near-poor households must be done strictly and in accordance with regulations to ensure fairness in the evaluation."

Reflecting the real life of people

This is a requirement that the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs sets for communes, wards and towns when conducting investigations and reviews of poor and near-poor households. Because the results of the investigation and review of poor and near-poor households are the basis for the province to implement social security policies in 2024. Therefore, this work must ensure objectivity and fairness.

According to the representative of the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, the department has requested localities to prepare carefully from the planning stage, review, grasp the subjects to assign officers in charge of the investigation task. During the process of collecting information, the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs closely coordinates with localities to guide investigators to collect accurate and impartial information, not to reflect the rate of poor and near-poor households based on emotions and achievements.

As one of the households subject to this year's investigation and review of poor and near-poor households, Ms. Vu Thi Nham in Hop Tien commune (Nam Sach) said: "We really hope that the investigators will work impartially, objectively, and review accurately so that poor households that deserve support can receive support. If it is not fair, it is easy for fake poverty to arise to take advantage of the policy."

Localities in the province review poor and near-poor households from September to December. The review unit collects information once a month (usually on the 15th of each month). Based on the review, appraisal and inspection of criteria for poor and near-poor households in December, the People's Committee at the commune level will carry out procedures to recognize poor households, near-poor households, households escaping poverty and households escaping near-poverty in 2023.