Formosa leaders appologise for their illegal dumping industrial waste (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Hot issues regarding inspection and the settlement of complaints and denunciations were major topics of a press conference hosted by the Government Inspectorate in Hanoi on July 22.
Asked about Ha Tinh authorities’ responsibility for leasing land to Taiwan’s Formosa Hung Nghiep steel and iron company for 70 years, Deputy Inspector General Ngo Van Khanh affirmed that the licensing was against the law.
According to legal rules before 2014, the province was only allowed to license land rent for no longer than 50 years.
The Investment Law 2005 stipulates that any foreign-invested project is valid for a maximum of 50 years. In necessary cases, the government could consider extending business operations which should not be more than 70 years, he said, adding that the Formosa project did not receive the Prime Minister’s approval.
Khanh said Ha Tinh authorities have not properly clarified their own responsibilities in the case, and the Government Inspectorate and relevant units are investigating several issues involving Formosa to seek solutions that ensure citizens’ rights.
About the inspection of business activities at the PetroVietnam Construction Corporation (PVC), Khanh said the government inspectorate has uncovered law violations during the construction of a bio-fuel plant in Phu Tho and the Dinh Vu fiber plant in Hai Phong, which will be dealt with in line with the law.
As regards security and order at the citizen reception offices, head of the Government Inspectorate’s Central Citizen Reception Department Nguyen Hong Diep informed that several riotous incidences happened at citizen reception offices in the second quarter, including a serious case when an official was stabbed and injured.
The Government Inspectorate has suggested the government and the Ministry of Public Security add citizen reception offices into the list of security protection targets.
A nationwide teleconference will be held to seek solutions to improving the reception for citizens and the settlement of complaints and denunciations, Diep said.
Le Hong Linh, head of the Government Inspectorate’s General Planning Department said during the second quarter, the sector conducted nearly 2,000 administrative inspections and 85,000 specialised inspections.
The inspections brought to light the misuse of more than 8 trillion VND and 860ha of land. The sector recommended administrative disciplinary measures towards over 200 units and transferred 19 cases involving 31 individuals to criminal investigation agencies.
Four officials in the central province of Quang Ngai and the southern province of Tay Ninh were found to lack responsibility causing corruption. Two of them were disciplined and two were subject to criminal proceedings.
Ministries, agencies and localities inspected 782 units, 19 of them were found to have committed law violations, he said.-VNA
