Crucial to properly organize work of state bodies - Kazakh Prime Minister K. Massimov
As Kazakh Prime Minister Karim Massimov outlined at the parliamentary hearings in May 2007, one of the most important elements of the administrative reform is the strategic planning.
In general, the administrative reform includes six blocks. The first one is the reforming of the civil service. Second, improving of state planning. Third, results-oriented budgeting. Fourth, improving quality of state planning. Fifth, optimization and effective management of public sector economy. Sixth, monitoring and assessment of the results of work of the state bodies and public sector of economy.
The work on all six directions is conducted deliberately and methodically. The strategic, economic and budget planning was harmonized. The activity of the state bodies was reoriented at achieving strategic goals and state tasks. Among other results of that work was the transition from short- to medium-term budget planning, transparent distribution of budget funds, maximally effective management of funds and introduction of integrated assessment of the effectiveness of state bodies.
An action plan on realization of the concept for implementation of the state planning system was adopted within the framework of the administrative reform. Other important documents adopted within the reform were a new Budget Code, three-year strategic plans of the state bodies, memos between the Prime Minister and heads of the central state bodies confirming their intentions to ensure achievement of purposes outlined in the strategic plans.
At the Government's sitting held on May 4, 2010 the issues of realization of the second block of the administrative reform - implementation of the strategic plans and memos by the state bodies in 2009 - were considered. It was noted that the state bodies succeeded in ensuring coordination of strategic, economic and budget planning, achieving strategic goals of the state and obtaining concrete results. However, the Prime Minister pointed out a number of shortcomings. According to him, the ministries overfill their plans with strategic tasks and indicators of their achievement. Some of them contain more than 100 indicators. Sometimes the ministries reflect the current activity, but not results they plan to achieve. The Premier noted the necessity to adjust further activities.
Summing up the results of the sitting the Prime Minister gave a number of tasks. The Ministry of Economic Development and Trade together with Finance Ministry were charged to prepare an updated methodological basis for development of strategic plans till May 20. Strategic plans should be focused on the key strategic directions and goals, but not cover all spheres of work of state bodies. It is necessary to tighten requirements for the formulation and selection of strategic objectives and tasks. Strategic purposes and tasks should fall within budget. Finally, strategic plans of the central executive bodies should be coordinated with the territory development programs and strategic plans of the local executive bodies.
The Ministry of Finance was instructed to analyze the formation of budget programs till June 1. The Ministry of Economic Development and Trade in association with Finance Ministry were urged to develop a system of integrated assessment of strategic plans implementation, memoranda and budget programs till October 1. The Ministry of Economic Development and Trade was charged to work out requirements to development, maintenance and evaluation of memoranda concluded between the heads of state bodies and the Prime Minister, introduce amendments to existing legal acts.
The Prime Minister emphasized that the stability of budget process should be a priority. "We can spend as much money as our income allows, provided that every ministry and department fulfills properly organized work", K. Massimov resumed.