The ROC Legislative Yuan passed the final reading of the National Development Council Organization Act Aug. 6 in Taipei City, establishing a new top economic planning body and taking a step forward for Taiwan in achieving greater policy coordination and integration.
“The legislation is a keystone of the government reorganization project,” an official from the Research, Development and Evaluation Commission said.
“The new entity will provide an integrated evaluation and management system for policies and greatly increase administrative efficiency. It is being fast-tracked for presidential promulgation.”
Under the act, the NDC will be in charge of policy planning, coordination, supervision, resources allocation and implementation evaluation with regards to Taiwan’s economic, industrial and social development.
The NDC will also be responsible for government information management and development promotion of Taiwan’s outlying islands, according to the RDEC.
The council will be created by merging the RDEC with parts of the Council for Economic Planning and Development, the Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics, and the Public Construction Commission.
According to the legislation, the NDC will have between 17 and 27 commissioners, including the secretary-general of the Executive Yuan and ministers of 14 central government agencies.
“The inclusion of Council of Indigenous Peoples, Hakka Affairs Council, Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Health and Welfare underscores the government’s commitment to pursuing economic growth while balancing cultural development, health promotion and social justice,” the official said.
The Legislature also passed six other organization acts proposed by the National Conscription Agency, National Immigration Agency and National Police Agency, among other agencies.
According to the RDEC, 79 reorganization acts for 19 ministries have cleared the legislative floor under the government reorganization project, with 61 acts for 10 agencies yet to be passed. (SFC-SDH)
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