Dismissal of the Chairman of the Commune People's Committee related to violations in implementing the policy to support salt production

False declaration

On July 16, 2014, the Provincial People's Council issuedResolution No. 125/2014/NQ-HDNDon some policies to support investment in agricultural and rural development in Nghe An province. In particular, for the salt industry, people are supported once, with a level of 3 million VND when building an improved filter system to replace the old filter; support for plastic tarpaulins spread on crystallization grids with a level of 3 million VND/60m²(salt production unit).

To implement this Resolution, the Provincial People's Council assigned the Provincial People's Committee to preside over the implementation. Then, the Provincial People's Committee assigned the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, directly the Rural Development Sub-Department, to act as the focal point to approve documents and pay support money to salt cooperatives to support salt farmers.

According to Resolution 125, when making improved filters, people will be supported with 3 million VND, and for crystallizing canvas sets, they will also be supported with 3 million VND. In the photo: People of Dien Kim commune working in the salt industry. Photo: Tien Dong

Implementing this policy, from 2015 to 2020, Kim Lien Salt Cooperative (Dien Kim) has made payment documents for 991 sets, including 791 filter sets and 200 crystallization canvas sets, with an amount of 2,973 billion VND. After completing the documents, this amount was transferred to Kim Lien Cooperative to pay support to salt makers according to regulations.

It was thought that the support money based on the records established by Kim Lien Cooperative would completely reach the people. However, in reality, by March 31, 2021, Kim Lien Cooperative had only implemented 624 filter sets and 77 crystallization canvas sets with a total value of 2,334 billion VND. The remaining amount of 639 million VND has not yet implemented any filter sets and crystallization canvas sets. The Board of Directors of the cooperative even took 489 million VND to buy working computers, buy generators to stick canvas, buy other raw materials, etc.

Measuring the salinity of seawater before scooping it up. Photo: Tien Dong

After receiving a petition from the people,People's Committee of Dien Kim Communeconducted an inspection and concluded that the Board of Directors of Kim Lien Cooperative had arbitrarily spent 489 million VND for the wrong purpose, not following regulations, and had unclear spending records, causing public outrage.

On April 7, 2021, the Department of Rural Development also issued Document No. 116/PTNT-KHTC on handling the recovery of money for implementing the salt production support policy from 2015 to 2020. Requesting Kim Lien Cooperative to return the amount of 639 million VND (equivalent to 167 filter sets and 46 crystallization canvas sets). At the same time, organize a review and strictly handle organizations and individuals related to the above violations in accordance with regulations.

Muscleinvestigators get involved

Although the Rural Development Department has recovered the illegal money at Kim Lien Cooperative, due to the complicated circumstances of the case, on August 26, 2021, the Economic Police Department, the Investigation Police Agency of Nghe An Provincial Police issued a decision to prosecute the case of "Taking advantage of position and power while performing official duties", which occurred at Kim Lien Cooperative.

Headquarters of Dien Kim Commune People's Committee. Photo: Tien Dong

After initiating the case, the Economic Police Department investigated and determined that the three suspects, including Cao Thanh Long, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Kim Lien Cooperative; Bui Van Son, Deputy Director of Kim Lien Cooperative; Dinh Tien Dung, Accountant of Kim Lien Cooperative, all residing in Dien Kim commune, took advantage of regulations on implementing support policies for salt-producing households in Nghe An province to discuss and agree to create fake documents to get money to support salt-producing households in Dien Kim commune.

These subjects created fake applications for implementing the salt policy; minutes of neighborhood meetings to review households that were allowed to build improved filters or lay tarpaulins for crystallization; minutes of facility acceptance; lists of households and individuals implementing support policies for building filters or laying tarpaulins for crystallization; and lists of payments to household owners implementing the salt policy.

The subjects prosecuted in the case. Photo: BNA documents

The above mentioned payment documents were not brought to the meeting for discussion and agreement of the members, even the supervisory board and the treasurer of the cooperative did not know and were not discussed. From the collected documents, evidence and statements of the subjects, the Investigation Police Agency determined that from 2017 to 2020, the Board of Directors of Kim Lien Cooperative created fake documents to request support for the construction of 151 improved filters for 96 members of Bac Lien, Kim Lien, Nam Lien hamlets, Dien Kim commune, causing a loss to the State of 453 million VND.

On September 17, 2021, the Investigation Police Agency, Nghe An Police, issued decisions to prosecute the accused and issued orders prohibiting them from leaving their place of residence for 3 accused, including Cao Thanh Long, Dinh Tien Dung, and Bui Van Son, for the crime of "Abusing position and power in performing official duties". At the same time, the case was transferred to the People's Court for trial.

Salt fields in Dien Kim commune today. Photo: Tien Dong

However, during the investigation, the Investigation Police Agency also determined that in order for these subjects to pay the support money for the construction of the improved filter and the crystallization canvas set, Mr. Pham Xuan Bang - Chairman of the People's Committee of Dien Kim commune at that time signed the related documents and papers without checking and examining them carefully. This contributed to the legalization of the fake documents of the above subjects. After that, the Investigation Police Agency sent a notice to the District Party Committee and People's Committee of Dien Chau district to handle according to regulations.

On May 23, 2022, Dien Chau District Party Committee issued Decision No. 291/QD/HU to discipline Mr. Pham Xuan Bang by removing him from the position of member of the Party Committee Standing Committee for the 2020-2025 term. One day later, Dien Chau District People's Committee also issued Decision No. 1469/QD-UBND to discipline Mr. Pham Xuan Bang by removing him from his position. According to this decision, as Chairman of Dien Kim Commune People's Committee, in implementing the policy to support salt production development, he did not properly and fully perform his assigned responsibilities and management and operation tasks.