There is still cover-up in handling citizens' petitions.

On the morning of December 27, the Provincial People's Committee held a conference to summarize the work of receiving people, handling complaints and denunciations, inspection work and anti-corruption in 2018. Attending and directing the conference were comrades Nguyen Van Thong - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee; Cao Thi Hien - Member of the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Council; Le Minh Thong - Member of the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; Nguyen Thanh Hien - Deputy Head of the Provincial National Assembly Delegation.

359 units were found to have violated

In 2018, the entire Inspection sector carried out 277 administrative inspections at 580 units, discovered 359 units with violations with the amount and recommended handling of more than 92.7 billion VND; discovered violations and recommended handling of more than 19,817 million VND.²Land. The inspection also recommended administrative sanctions against 64 organizations and 147 individuals for violations; and transferred 2 cases to the investigation agency.

The entire industry also conducted 1,229 specialized inspections at 7,345 individuals and organizations. Thereby, 2,617 decisions on administrative sanctions were issued against 2,298 individuals and 319 organizations with a fine amount of more than 11.1 billion VND. Violations were mainly concentrated in the fields of Transport, Agriculture and Rural Development, Natural Resources and Environment, Health, Industry and Trade, and Science & Technology.

In 2018, state administrative agencies received 6,861 citizens to make complaints, denunciations, recommendations, and reflections. The total number of petitions received by administrative agencies was 8,150. The total number of cases under the jurisdiction of state management agencies was 384 cases, an increase of 15% compared to 2017. The agencies resolved 370 cases. During the year, in the province, there were 4 complicated and mass complaints and denunciations being resolved.

The representative of the People's Committee of Cua Lo town proposed that the province develop software to manage the work of receiving people, handling complaints and denunciations to improve the effectiveness of this work. Photo: Pham Bang

Regarding anti-corruption work, through internal self-inspection, no corruption violations were detected. Through inspection work, 359 units were found to have violated the law with the amount of money and recommended handling of more than 92 billion VND. The investigation agency has accepted 6 cases/20 defendants; the People's Court has tried 5 cases/8 defendants.

Through investigation, prosecution and trial of corruption cases, it was discovered that they caused losses to the state and people of more than 17.1 billion VND. Through inspection, it was also discovered that 46 units had violated the law, and recommended reviewing and drawing lessons from 110 organizations and 449 individuals who had violated the law in performing their public duties.

There are many limitations

The Provincial People's Committee assessed that the inspection work has been effective and on schedule. The inspection conclusions, in addition to recommending handling of the amount of violations, also focused on recommending forms of handling for individuals with violations. The work of receiving citizens and resolving complaints and denunciations has had many changes. The number of citizens coming to the headquarters and submitting complaints has decreased compared to 2017.

In addition, many complicated cases and hot spots have been effectively handled, contributing to ensuring security and order, social safety, and socio-economic development. Corruption prevention has received attention from heads of agencies and political organizations, and the judiciary has actively investigated, prosecuted, and strictly tried corruption cases.

Comrade Le Minh Thong - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee requested heads of units to increase meetings and dialogues with people to better resolve complaints and denunciations. Photo: Pham Bang

However, many shortcomings were also pointed out such as: the urging and recovery of conclusions and decisions after inspection have not had high results, the amount of outstanding money is still large. Some sectors have not paid adequate attention to the work of receiving citizens, the role and responsibility of unit heads in some places have not been fully implemented.

The handling of applications is still roundabout, duplicated, not in accordance with regulations and reality, so it is not final. There are also phenomena of avoidance, pushing, seeing mistakes but refusing to correct them, causing the resolution to drag on. In some cases, agencies do not fulfill their responsibilities and authority, have acts of cover-up, and intentionally make mistakes.

Some solutions to prevent corruption have not been very effective. The declaration and transparency of assets are still a formality, and there is no basis to confirm the accuracy of the assets and income of the declarant.

A small number of cadres and civil servants still lack self-discipline and training, taking advantage of loopholes in management, mechanisms, policies, and assigned tasks to harass and gain personal gain. Agencies and units have not yet developed specific plans for internal self-inspection of anti-corruption work and still take this work lightly.

Speaking at the conference, comrade Le Minh Thong - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee said that many complicated cases were caused by mistakes at the commune and district levels.

“The upcoming work is still very heavy and complicated. Therefore, it is recommended that all levels and sectors step up the dissemination of laws, strengthen citizen reception, increase dialogue, and thoroughly resolve long-standing and pending complaints. In inspection work, it is necessary to improve quality, strictly organize anti-corruption, and effectively implement the mechanism of transparency,” said the Vice Chairman.

Comrade Nguyen Van Thong - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, authorized by the Prime Minister, awarded Certificates of Merit to 3 individuals. Photo: Pham Bang

Comrade Le Minh Thong - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee awarded Certificates of Merit of the Provincial People's Committee Chairman to 3 collectives and individuals. Photo: Pham Bang

Many organizations and individuals also received Certificates of Merit, emulation titles, and commemorative medals from the Government Inspector General, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, and Chief Inspector of Nghe An province.