VietNamNet Bridge - The government will launch an evaluation of all petroleum and gas businesses throughout the country in January, said Minister of Industry and Trade Vu Huy Hoang.

Decrees No 104 and 105, which manage sanctions for violations in relation to petroleum and gas businesses will take effect from the first of the year, replacing former decrees from 2002 and 2008.

The Ministry of Science and Technology will host the evaluation campaign and coordinate with relevant ministries to direct these agencies to investigate and handle violations regarding the measurement and quality of petroleum products and gas.

As such, the Ministry of Public Security will evaluate the implementation of regulations on fire prevention and fire safety in order to detect and close down gas shops which extract gas illegally.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade will inspect the business aspects of petroleum and gas vendors.

In 2008, administrative sanction levels for violations by petroleum and gas business ranged from VND500,000 to VND40 million ($23.8 - $1,904).

Those levels will be boosted significantly to quickly combat violations, ranging from VND5 million to VND100 million ($238 - $4,762) in 2012.

Authorities will also add stricter sanctions such as revoking business licenses for 12 months or more from businesses that violate regulations.

PV