VietNamNet Bridge - "I do not like drinking because drinking only bring about diseases. But in this position, receiving guests is also business," explained Mrs. Cut Thi Nguyen, deputy chair of Ky Son district, Nghe An province.

Public servants and drinking

 

 

Mrs. Cut Thi Nguyen, deputy chair of Ky Son district.

The information about the vice chairwoman of Ky Son district (Nghe An) being reprimanded for getting drunk while receiving guests has attracted the attention of public opinion in the last few days, because this is the rare case that an official was criticized for drinking and this official is a woman.

According to VietNamNet reporters’ investigation, Ky Son district authorities previously had regulations in drinking in reception as follows: With a table of six people, up to six bottles of wine are allowed for the breakfast, eight bottles for the lunch and 12 bottles for the dinner.

In 2010, the district party committee issued a directive on reducing drinking. Accordingly, with a table of six people, no alcohol is allowed for the breakfast, only one bottle for the lunch and two for the dinner.

Returning to the case of Mrs. Cut Thi Nguyet, the official has been "known" for drinking too much during the reception.

In June 2011, when the entire people of Ky Son District were handling the consequences of a flash flood, Nguyet was busy with a reception at a karaoke bar, where she got drunk.

Some local residents reported the incident to the district government. The local party committee reprimanded Nguyet for excessive drinking. Nguyet explained that she was often drunk because she was fun-loving and compliant.

It is very common in mountainous districts of Nghe An that some officials with high drinking capacity are assigned to receive guests at parties.

On May 6, talking with VietNamNet, Nguyet said: "I do not like alcohol. Drinking only brings about diseases. But in this position, receiving guests is my business. If you journalists pay a visit to our district, if we do not welcome you enthusiastically, you will also blame us. Of course, I drank several cups of wine but I did not indulge in drinking."

Ky Son District Party Committee Secretary Vi Hai Thanh frankly told VietNamNet that alcohol cannot be rejected from the reception yet.

According to Thanh, the local people drink alcohol during the meal and wine is indispensable in reception. "We cannot give up alcohol but we ask officials to not drink on the morning and drink at least in the afternoon and the evening," Thanh said.

Most recently, on 27/4/2013, Ky Son district authorities asked officials to commit to not drink during the office hours.

Cao Thai