Minister of Agrarian Development and Irrigation Marco Vinelli stated that proposed ministry mergers are not included in the Peruvian government's request for legislative powers.
Speaking in an interview with broadcasting network Radio Programas del Peru, Vinelli said the legislative initiative presented by the administration of President Keiko Fujimori focuses instead on incorporating technological tools to streamline administrative procedures for citizens across state institutions.
State Process Reform
Vinelli explained that the primary objective of seeking delegated powers from Congress is to improve overall state efficiency. He said achieving higher efficiency requires amending administrative regulations and updating internal government procedures.
Under current administrative systems, a single citizen request often moves through 10 different offices or approval stages. Vinelli noted that integrating modern technology could reduce those administrative requirements to two or three steps.
He emphasized that the formal request document submitted to Parliament does not explicitly call for merging cabinet ministries. Instead, the proposal focuses on modifying procedures and using technology to deliver faster public services.
Cabinet Review and Congressional Submission
Regarding the timetable for the proposal, Vinelli confirmed that the Council of Ministers will place the legislative powers request on its agenda for evaluation this week.
Following approval by the cabinet, the Executive branch will submit the legislation to the Chamber of Deputies of the Peruvian Congress. Vinelli stated that the measure will be transferred to Parliament in the coming days.
Under Peruvian constitutional law, Congress can delegate specific legislative authority to the Executive branch, allowing ministers to issue decree laws on technical and administrative reforms for a specified timeframe.
Civil Defense Operational Reform
Vinelli identified the National Institute of Civil Defense as one of the primary agencies targeted for operational restructuring under the requested powers.
The minister explained that existing legislation hampers rapid disaster relief because local municipal governments must complete an official emergency report before the civil defense agency can release humanitarian aid.
Citing a recent situation in the central Andean region of Junin, Vinelli recounted that humanitarian assistance remained stored in a local warehouse following an earthquake because municipal authorities had failed to submit the required paperwork on time.
He stated that statutory changes are necessary so the central government can intervene immediately during emergencies and deliver disaster relief without waiting for local administrative filings.
Worker Protection Guarantees
Addressing potential concerns over state reform, the agriculture minister confirmed that the request for legislative powers will not alter or reduce labor rights and employment benefits for public sector workers.
