VietNamNet Bridge – Up to 89 officers in the mountainous district of Son Ha in the central province of Quang Ngai have been detected of committing embezzlement of over VND4.7 billion ($230,000) of the welfares for veterans and war invalids who are ethnic minority people.

A village in Son Ha District.

The inspection report on this case was announced at a press conference on October 2 by the Quang Ngai province government.

Son Ha District People’s Committee reported to have 89 party members and civil servants involved in this case. Of them, 56 officers who are Party members were penalized by the local Party Committee, including 11 people being expelled from the party, four being dismissed from positions in Party organizations and 41 others being reprimanded.

The local government also dismissed seven officers, sacked two people and reprimanded seven people. The district authorities are also considering disciplining 33 officers, including five officials at district level.

"It is heartbreaking that even the chairs, vice chairs of communes and Party Secretaries of villages also rake off the welfares for veterans and war invalids who are ethnic minority people," said Lieutenant Colonel Vo Van Dai, Son Ha district police chief.

To rectify this situation, Mr. Nguyen Phong, Son Ha district chairman, said the local government will recruit other officers who are qualified to replace these people.

The provincial government has instructed the 12 communes and towns involved in this case to recover the money to pay to the state budget.

"The viewpoint of Son Ha District is determined to strictly punish all officials and party members, civil servants who broke the rules in the implementation of policies for the people of credit in the district," Phont said.

Quoc Khanh