VietNamNet Bridge – Forty-nine cases of corruption in State organisations and companies with a total value of VND133 billion (US$6.3 million) were uncovered nation-wide in the first six months, said Government Inspectorate deputy chief Le Tien Hao.

About VND60 billion (US$2.85 million) of the VND133 billion (US$6.3 million) involved had been recovered, Hao said.

Twenty-seven cases and 35 people were under criminal investigation; eight collectives and 29 people would receive administrative punishments.

Six heads of State organisations and companies in which corruption had occurred were also punished, he said
There were 6,065 inspections carried out. Many provinces, cities, ministries and sectors had joined the fight against corruption, including Ha Noi, Hai Phong, Nghe An, Binh Thuan, the State Bank of Viet Nam, among others.

The inspectors also probed 333,000 State organisations and individuals and found mistakes and violations related to mineral resources, land use management, construction investment management, banking and the use of capital.

Inspectors proposed VND6,480 billion (US$308.5 million) and 1,290ha of land be revoked by the State as well as administrative punishments of up to VND258 billion (US$12.2 million).

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Public Security has also detected corruption: 248 cases involving property worth nearly VND683 billion ($32.5 million) and 572 people.

Only VND13.05 billion (US$620,000) of property had been recovered, accounting for 2 per cent of the total, the ministry said.

Up to 260 people were to be prosecuted while the rest were still under investigation.

Hao said inspectors would continue to follow up all leads on corruption and violations in State organisations, including citizen petitions, complaints and denunciations.

They would publicise their conclusions and scrutinise their implementation.

Hao also said agencies also would co-operate to strengthen the law against corruption.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News