The National Assembly (NA) approved a draft-amended Law on Government on Tuesday that revises the mandates of the prime minister, ministers and some state departments.
The amendments came after the Government Office was renamed the Prime Minister’s Office following the assumption of office of the new cabinet in April and the recent establishment of the provincial assemblies, the promulgation of the Law on Provincial Assemblies and other changed circumstances which require the amendments.
Minister of Home Affairs, Mr Khamman Sounvileuth told the parliament that the amendment to the 2015 law’s Article 6 would give the Prime Minister eligible rights to comment on the proposals of provincial governors or the Vientiane mayor regarding the appointment, removal from official or reshuffling of deputy provincial governors or vice mayors before such proposals are submitted to provincial assemblies for approval.
The amendment will be in line with the 2015-version amended constitution, which stipulates that the Prime Minister is eligible to appoint provincial governors and the Vientiane Mayor following the approval of the provincial assemblies.
Meanwhile the provincial governors and Vientiane Mayor are eligible to appoint their deputies following the approval of the provincial assemblies, the minister explained.
Therefore, prior to the provincial governors or the Vientiane mayor proposing to the provincial assemblies to approve [their deputies], comments should be sought from the prime minister, Mr Khamman told the law makers at the ongoing ordinary session of the NA.
He added that the government will also propose to the parliament to amend the Law on Local Administration in line with the relevant laws accordingly.
The minister said the fundamental content of the 2015-version law, which comprises eight Chapters and 36 Articles, remains unchanged and amendments were made to only six articles.
The amendment to Article 8 changed the name of the Administrative Office of the Government Office to the Administrative Office of the Prime Minister’s Office, while the amendment to Article 9 establishes the Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office instead of the Minister to the Government Office.
Amendments to Article 11 changed the name of the Government Office to the Prime Minister’s Office, while the titles of the ministers to these offices, their scopes of work and the responsibilities of the offices and the ministers have also been amended accordingly.
Yesterday, the law makers also approved a draft-amended Law on the Handling of Petitions. A draft-amended Law on Defence Lawyers was also debated at yesterday’s session.
Source: Vientiane Times
