PM interacts with NA members

Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith has welcomed the comments made by National Assembly members, after spending two days listening to debates.
Addressing the Assembly’s ongoing session on June 25, the premier said that from what lawmakers had discussed, he felt Assembly members clearly understood the difficulties faced by the government in implementing the 2020 national development plan.
Implementation of the 2020 national socio-economic development plan was taking place in difficult circumstances, he said, adding that the Covid-19 pandemic had  impacted negatively on the country’s development.

At the 9th session of the 8th Legislature of the National Assembly, Prime Minister Thongloun asked members to approve a reduced GDP growth target for 2020, from 6.5 percent to 3.3-3.6 percent.
He also proposed a cut in administrative expenditure and deferment in dispensing at least 50 percent of total investment funding for 2020 after learning that the government would not be able to collect revenue in accordance with the plan previously endorsed by the Assembly.
He said standing members of the NA had sent the government a signal that the revised GDP growth target and other macro level targets were reasonable and acceptable and would be endorsed by Assembly members.
Prime Minister Thongloun expressed confidence in this understanding, saying that NA members would serve as an important force in helping the government to overcome the present difficulties and challenges.
He also noted that after listening to the debates, that the major problem faced by the government was the implementation of policies.
 NA members acknowledged that central bodies had introduced sound policies but these were not being put into practice.
 With regard to public complaints over the new electricity tariff endorsed by the government, the premier said the cabinet had ordered the Ministry of Energy and Mines and relevant authorities to review the revised rate.
He said households which consumed 151-461 kWh a month during the Covid-19 outbreak would benefit from this government order to review the electricity tariff.
EDL, one of the largest state-owned enterprises, recently introduced a new electricity rate, under which households that used 150 kWh or less would pay half of the rate of 710 kip per kWh.
The government observed that a large proportion of Lao people typically used less than 150 kWh a month and would therefore benefit from the price adjustment.
But during the Covid-19 outbreak most households consumed more than 150 kWh a month because people were ordered to stay at home and so used more electricity than usual.
Many complained about the unexpectedly large bills they were faced with, especially as they were low income earners, which forced the government to review the rate charged.
Prime Minister Thongloun said the government would lose revenue from the adjustment of the electricity tariff but would do so to ease the financial burden on low wage earners, to help them survive during challenging times.
 The PM instructed the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism to inform the Lao people about adapting to the “new normal” following the Covid-19 pandemic, adding that authorities should encourage a more productive and responsible lifestyle rather than placing an emphasis on consumerism.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update June 26, 2020)