VietNamNet Bridge – Public servants who create unnecessary costs during the administration of projects and legal proceedings - and in the enforcement of judgments can now be forced to re-imburse the State with up to 36 months of their salary.

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This means that they can be forced to reimburse the State for amounts already paid as compensation to individuals and organisations that have experienced material damage or mental suffering.

The ruling covers payments made to prisoners wrongfully jailed due to errors made by court officials.

In a joint circular recently issued by the Ministry of Justice, Supreme People's Court, and Supreme People's Procuracy, previous regulations on the subject were enhanced with a detailed definition of compensation.

Accordingly, public servants found to have created unnecessary costs, either intentionally or unintentionally, of more than VND500 million (nearly US$24,000) to the State budget, can be ordered to re-imburse 24 months' of his wages at a minimum - and 36 months' wages at a maximum.

Reimbursements may be made in cash, by bank transfer to the State Treasury, or by gradual deduction from monthly salaries of violators.

The regulation will come into effect on March 8.

Source: VNS