Inspectors to get tough on corruption The Government is committed to clamping down on corruption and strengthening the organisation and prosecution of big time cases in its bid to restore people’s trust.   In a January 26 Q&A session, Chief Inspector Huynh Phong Tranh revealed wrongdoings were uncovered in a number of key State agencies last year including Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) and the Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam (Agribank). Investigation results show EVN grossly mismanaged its investment portfolio and invested near VND121 trillion in ineffective non-core business areas, adversely impacting its profits. EVN was also found to have lavishly spent on villas, tennis courses and swimming pools and included these amounts in the calculation of rates charged to customers for electricity, which sparked a huge public outcry. The group was ordered to divest itself of non-core investments and put stronger internal controls in place to ensure electricity prices are calculated properly. Meanwhile, charges of illegal credit lending practices were levelled at Agribank in addition to other Credit Law violations and accusations of flagrantly lax management, which resulted in significant losses. In a notorious swindling case in 2012, Laivowfroo, a company based in Ninh Binh province, was shown to have illegally misappropriated VND3.5 trillion from Agribank through loan fraud schemes and bogus loans.  Follow up investigations have resulted in additional prosecutions and the detention of 30 people, including bank and customs officers. The Government consulted the Prime Minister and requested the transfer of 15 Agribank cases to the investigation agency and another 59 cases to the State Bank of Vietnam for further investigations. If Agribank violates the Credit Law, it will face stiff legal charges, said Tranh. In-the-workplace property declaration The Party and State have demonstrated their strong commitment to root out corruption by introducing guidelines and policies, and relevant agencies have teamed up to bring transparency to key corruption cases. However, the fight has yet to live up to the public’s expectations. A revised law on corruption prevention and control approved by the National Assembly requiring public officials to declare their personal property in an affidavit signed under oath and penalty of perjury is considered an important step toward the corruption battle. The Political Bureau recently issued Directive 33 asking Party and State organisations to monitor the declarations and ensure strict compliance with the new law. The law stipulates that the declaration should be publicised in the workplace, and that incorrect or untimely declarations are subject to penalties. The Government Inspectorate is drafting a decree overseeing ranking officials’ income to further strengthen the fight against corruption, said Tranh.    VOV