There is still a problem of cover-ups in handling citizens' complaints.

On the morning of December 27th, the Provincial People's Committee held a conference to summarize the work of receiving citizens, resolving complaints and denunciations, inspection work, and anti-corruption efforts 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 Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Council; Le Minh Thong - Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; and Nguyen Thanh Hien - Deputy Head of the Provincial National Assembly Delegation.

359 units were found to have violations.

In 2018, the entire inspection sector conducted 277 administrative inspections at 580 units, discovering violations in 359 units with a total amount of over 92.7 billion VND and recommending sanctions; and detecting irregularities and recommending sanctions on over 19,817 square meters.²land. The inspection also recommended administrative sanctions against 64 organizations and 147 individuals for violations; and transferred 2 cases to the investigative agency.

The entire sector also conducted 1,229 specialized inspections at 7,345 individuals and organizations. As a result, 2,617 administrative violation penalties were issued to 2,298 individuals and 319 organizations, with total fines exceeding 11.1 billion VND. Violations were mainly concentrated in the fields of Transportation, Agriculture and Rural Development, Natural Resources and Environment, Health, Industry and Trade, and Science and Technology.

In 2018, state administrative agencies received 6,861 visits from citizens lodging complaints, denunciations, petitions, and feedback. The total number of letters and petitions received by administrative agencies was 8,150. The total number of cases falling under the jurisdiction of state management agencies was 384, an increase of 15% compared to 2017. The agencies resolved 370 cases. During the year, there were 4 complex cases involving numerous complainants and denunciations currently under investigation in the province.

Representatives from the People's Committee of Cua Lo town proposed that the province develop software to manage citizen reception and the handling of complaints and denunciations, in order to improve the efficiency of this work. (Photo: Pham Bang)

Regarding anti-corruption efforts, internal self-inspections did not detect any corrupt practices. However, inspections uncovered violations in 359 units involving over 92 billion VND, with recommendations for handling these violations. The investigative agency handled 6 cases involving 20 defendants; the People's Court tried 5 cases involving 8 defendants.

Through the investigation, prosecution, and trial of corruption cases, losses to the state and the people exceeding 17.1 billion VND have been discovered. Inspections also uncovered violations in 46 units, and recommendations were made for disciplinary action and lessons learned for 110 organizations and 449 individuals who violated regulations in the performance of their official duties.

There are still many limitations.

The Provincial People's Committee assessed that the inspection work was effective and on schedule. In addition to recommending the handling of misappropriated funds, the inspection conclusions also focused on recommending disciplinary measures for individuals who committed violations. The work of receiving citizens and resolving complaints and denunciations has seen many improvements, with a decrease in the number of citizens visiting the office and the number of complaint letters compared to 2017.

In addition, many complex cases and hotspots have been effectively handled, contributing to ensuring security, social safety, and socio-economic development. The prevention of corruption has received attention from heads of agencies and political organizations, and the judicial branches have actively investigated, prosecuted, and brought corruption cases to trial.

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

However, several shortcomings were also pointed out, such as: the follow-up and recovery of conclusions and decisions following inspections have not yielded high results, and a large amount of outstanding funds remain. Some sectors have not paid adequate attention to citizen reception work, and the role and responsibilities of unit heads have not been fully implemented in some places.

The handling of applications is still convoluted, repetitive, and not in accordance with regulations and reality, thus failing to reach a conclusion. There are still instances of avoidance, passing the buck, and refusal to correct mistakes, causing delays in resolution. In some cases, agencies fail to fulfill their responsibilities and authority, engaging in cover-ups and intentionally committing wrongdoings.

Some anti-corruption measures have not been highly effective; asset declaration and public disclosure remain largely superficial, lacking a basis for verifying the accuracy of the assets and income of those making the declarations.

A small number of officials and civil servants still lack self-cultivation and training, exploiting loopholes in management, mechanisms, and policies, and abusing their assigned duties to harass and profit from corruption. Many agencies and units have not yet developed specific plans for internal self-inspection regarding anti-corruption work, and this work is still being underestimated.

Speaking at the conference, Comrade Le Minh Thong, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, stated that many complex cases stem from mistakes at the commune and district levels.

"The work ahead is still very arduous and complex. Therefore, I propose that all levels and sectors intensify legal awareness campaigns, strengthen citizen reception efforts, enhance dialogue, and definitively resolve long-standing and unresolved complaints. In inspection work, it is necessary to improve quality, strictly implement anti-corruption measures, and effectively implement mechanisms for transparency and openness," the Vice Chairman said.

Comrade Nguyen Van Thong - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, on behalf of the Prime Minister, presented the Certificate of Commendation to 3 individuals. Photo: Pham Bang

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

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