Ho Chi Minh City Spends nearly VND1,300 Billion on Tet Holiday Welfare

DNHN - During the Lunar New Year, HCM City spent nearly VND1,300 billion on welfare for its residents. However, concerns remain over security, order, and fire incidents caused by the use of illegal fireworks.

There were 15 fire incidents in the city, including two that caused casualties in Thu Duc City and District 4. Authorities also detected, processed, and handled nine cases involving 12 suspects for transporting, using, and storing illegal fireworks, seizing 6.6kg of fireworks.

On the morning of February 20, the HCM City People’s Committee held a conference to review the organisation and provision of welfare for the Lunar New Year and meet with Chairmen of the People’s Committees of wards, communes, and towns in 2024. Reporting on welfare activities, Mr Duong Anh Duc - Vice Chairman of the City People’s Committee, said that the total budget for welfare during the Lunar New Year in HCM City was nearly VND1,300 billion, an increase of 5.2% compared to 2023. Of which, the central budget was VND12.7 billion, the city budget was VND915 billion, the district and Thu Duc City budget was VND39.6 billion, and social mobilisation was VND326 billion.

In addition, the city organised delegations to visit, extend Lunar New Year greetings, and present gifts to outstanding units and individuals with a total value of VND22.8 billion. People with meritorious services, social protection, poor households, and children in difficult circumstances also received financial support from the city. Social welfare facilities, drug rehabilitation centres located far from the city, specialised educational facilities for children with disabilities, special associations, retirement clubs, and war veteran associations in the city were supported with VND1.6 billion.

Accordingly, the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of HCM City, political and social organisations took the lead in coordinating with localities to provide care for 427,600 people with a total value of VND216 billion. The city also solemnly, thoughtfully, and safely organised cultural and artistic activities in conjunction with propaganda and education on political ideology.

Also at the conference, Mr Lam Dinh Thang, Director of the HCM City Department of Information and Communications, said that the work of grasping public opinion, information, and propaganda about the city government’s welfare activities before, during, and after the Lunar New Year for the people was very meaningful. The activities took place in a joyful, exciting, and safe atmosphere during the Lunar New Year. At the same time, there have been many action programmes demonstrating the city’s determination to develop and become the economic locomotive of the country in 2024.

Tran Tung (According to TTO)