Need breakthrough solutions

Crimes related to corruption and positions increased by 20.55%

Reporting at the meeting, Minister of Public Security Luong Tam Quang said that corruption, economic crimes, and smuggling continue to develop complicatedly in many areas in most localities. The number of corruption and position-related crimes detected, investigated, and handled is 20.55% more, the number of economic management order crimes is 2.4% less, and the number of smuggling cases is 8.25% more.

Meanwhile, according to the Chief Prosecutor of the Supreme People's Procuracy Nguyen Huy Tien, the Procuracy has strengthened coordination with the Ministry of Public Security and the Supreme People's Court to accelerate the investigation, prosecution and strict trial of many major corruption and economic cases, cases under the supervision and direction of the Central Steering Committee on Anti-Corruption and Negative Practices. During the investigation, prosecution and trial, measures have been applied to ensure the recovery of more than VND 26,215 billion.

Regarding the detection and handling of corruption, the Government Inspector General Doan Hong Phong informed that the investigation agencies in the People's Public Security force have investigated 1,538 cases with 3,897 defendants for corruption crimes. Prosecution of 856 cases with 2,686 defendants has been proposed. The Criminal Investigation Agency of the Ministry of National Defense has investigated 23 cases with 70 defendants; proposed prosecution of 11 cases with 57 defendants. The People's Procuracy at all levels has handled 1,186 cases with 3,869 defendants, and handled 1,006 cases with 3,242 defendants. The People's Courts at all levels have handled 1,154 cases with 3,201 defendants for corruption crimes at first instance; 917 cases with 2,418 defendants have been tried. The total number of cases requiring execution of criminal sentences on corruption and economics is 12,877, of which 10,944 cases are eligible for execution, and 9,211 cases have been completed.

Overview of the meeting. Photo: Quang Vinh.

Control of assets and income of people in positions of power is still limited.

Reviewing the Government's 2024 anti-corruption report, Ms. Le Thi Nga - Chairwoman of the National Assembly's Judicial Committee assessed that violations of the implementation of publicity and transparency in organization and operation, violations of the implementation of the code of conduct, implementation of norms, standards and regimes still occur in many agencies, organizations and units. The results of implementing job transfer to prevent corruption in some localities are still low.

“Control of assets and income of people with positions and powers is still limited; there are still many cases where, after investigation agencies conduct searches, large amounts of undeclared assets of unknown origin are discovered,” Ms. Nga said, pointing out that the situation of harassment and inconvenience to people and businesses has not been completely resolved; the situation of avoiding and shirking responsibility in performing public duties still occurs.

Regarding the results of detecting, handling corruption, and recovering corrupt assets, according to Ms. Nga, there are still limitations. The work of self-inspection and self-detection of corruption has not changed. The quality and progress of resolving some corruption cases have not met requirements; there are also cases that have to be suspended because the acts do not constitute a crime; many cases have to be temporarily suspended because they have to wait for the results of appraisal and valuation.

Along with that, the assets that must be recovered in criminal cases of corruption and economic crimes are still large... "The situation of corruption and negativity in some areas is still serious, complicated, with major violations emerging in some areas such as: planning, construction, energy, bidding, public asset management, land management and use, resource and mineral exploitation. The situation of harassment and negativity in the administrative and public service sectors is still happening" - the Chairman of the National Assembly's Judicial Committee assessed.

In addition, Ms. Nga found that the recent corruption and negative violations showed that there was lax management and lack of responsibility of many groups and individuals, especially leaders in state management in some areas. The work of inspecting and supervising the exercise of power by people with positions and powers has not received due attention. The work of overcoming the situation of cadres, civil servants and public employees shirking responsibility, avoiding responsibility, limited capacity, and being afraid of making mistakes is still slow. Many shortcomings and limitations in anti-corruption work have been clearly identified for many years, but so far there have been no effective solutions.

On that basis, Ms. Nga suggested that the Government needs to summarize, evaluate, and fully identify the limitations and causes to accurately forecast the corruption situation; clearly identify the main causes and propose breakthrough solutions for effective prevention and control.

Corruption is only in some places, but waste is everywhere.

According to the assessment of National Assembly Deputy Pham Dinh Thanh (Kon Tum Delegation), the work of preventing and combating negative corruption continues to be promoted more drastically, synchronously and comprehensively. However, according to Mr. Thanh, crimes related to economic corruption and smuggling continue to develop complicatedly, with violations in planning, construction, energy, bidding for public property procurement, and land use management emerging.

“The crime of embezzlement and corruption increased by 45.61%. This issue needs to be seriously researched to clarify the causes and conditions for committing the crime, and closely inspected and reviewed to overcome loopholes and shortcomings in state management of the economy, land, resources and minerals to help prevent, stop and handle this type of crime more effectively in the future,” Mr. Thanh suggested.

National Assembly Deputy Phan Thi Nguyet Thu (Ha Tinh Delegation) said that the fight against crime, corruption and negativity under the Party's leadership is increasingly fierce and strong, also putting great pressure on investigation, prosecution and trial agencies, and enforcement agencies, focusing on recovering assets from crimes.

Ms. Thu suggested that it is necessary to accurately forecast the situation of crime violations, have appropriate and effective prevention and handling solutions, especially for criminal violations in the fields of state management of land, economy, finance, enterprises, valuation and appraisal; and criminal violations in bidding and investment auction activities.

Sharing the same view, National Assembly Deputy To Van Tam (Kon Tum Delegation) said: “Our Party considers corruption a national disaster, an internal enemy, and must always resolutely and persistently fight against corruption and negativity. The work of preventing and combating corruption and negativity is based on the spirit of the rule of law, with no forbidden areas or exceptions. Many corruption cases that have attracted public attention have been handled according to plan, in accordance with the law, strictly but also very humanely, and have been highly appreciated and agreed upon by public opinion and the people.”

However, according to Mr. Tam, the recovery of assets in criminal cases of corruption and economic crimes is still a big problem, and he suggested that the Government pay attention and direct them resolutely. “In addition, it is necessary to promote the role of the people in the fight against corruption, and perfect the mechanism to promote the role of the people in this work. Therefore, it is necessary to study and pilot forms of reporting and denouncing corruption via telephone and hotlines in the current conditions of information technology development,” Mr. Tam suggested.

National Assembly Deputy Pham Van Hoa (Dong Thap Delegation) stated: "There must be the involvement of functional agencies in inspection, honest and objective auditing, prevention so that we do not dare, do not abuse, do not take advantage". Believing that corruption is the tip of the "iceberg", while the problem of waste that occurs normally is invisible and receives little attention, Mr. Hoa emphasized that, after all, waste can cause losses no less than corruption. Corruption only exists in a few places, but waste is everywhere, from small to large matters in all fields, all of which are present but receive little attention. "I propose that the National Assembly, the Government, and functional sectors pay more attention to waste to effectively prevent waste" - Mr. Hoa suggested.

Explaining the issues raised by the National Assembly deputies, Government Inspector General Doan Hong Phong said that the work of perfecting the institutions on corruption prevention and control in some cases has not yet met the requirements. Some Party policies have been slow to be institutionalized into laws. In the coming time, implementing the direction of General Secretary To Lam on removing the bottleneck of institutional bottlenecks, the Government will continue to direct the construction and completion of a synchronous legal system, creating openness to open up all resources for development, overcoming loopholes and inadequacies that can easily give rise to corruption, waste and negativity.

Regarding corruption prevention measures, according to Mr. Phong, in 2024, many measures have been implemented by all levels and sectors and achieved positive results. However, there are still many shortcomings. In the coming time, the Government Inspectorate will continue to advise the Government to strictly implement corruption prevention measures such as publicizing the results of activities of agencies and units, changing job positions, reforming administrative procedures, applying science and technology in management, and promoting non-cash payments. "Implementing control of assets and income, handling the responsibility of leaders when corruption, waste, and negativity occur. At the same time, step up inspection and examination of areas with many shortcomings and limitations" - Mr. Phong said.

Officially impose 5% VAT on fertilizers

On November 26, with the majority of National Assembly deputies present in favor, the National Assembly passed the Law on Value Added Tax (amended). Accordingly, the National Assembly passed the new Law on Value Added Tax (VAT) with 407/451 deputies participating in the vote in favor.

Before voting, the National Assembly listened to Chairman of the Finance and Budget Committee Le Quang Manh briefly report on the explanation, acceptance and revision of this draft Law.

According to the Chairman of the Finance and Budget Committee, many opinions agree with the proposal to apply a 5% tax rate on fertilizers. Some opinions suggest keeping it as the current regulations; some opinions suggest applying a 0%, 1%, or 2% tax rate.

Regarding the proposal to apply a 0% VAT rate (or 1%, 2%), the Chairman of the Finance and Budget Committee said exactly as the delegate said, if the regulation applies a 0% tax rate to fertilizers, it will ensure benefits for both domestic fertilizer producers and importers because they will be refunded the input VAT paid and will not have to pay output VAT. However, in this case, the State will have to spend the budget every year to refund taxes to businesses. In addition to the inconvenience to the State budget, applying a 0% tax rate to fertilizers is contrary to the principles and practices of VAT, which is that a 0% tax rate only applies to exported goods and services, not to domestic consumption.

In addition, the regulation of a tax rate of 1% or 2% for fertilizers is also not consistent with the goal of VAT reform, which is to reduce the number of tax rates, not to increase the number of tax rates compared to current regulations, as explained to National Assembly deputies.

Through the synthesis of opinions, it is shown that 72.67% of the total number of National Assembly deputies agreed with the proposal of the National Assembly Standing Committee and the Government to stipulate a tax rate of 5% for fertilizers, machinery, specialized equipment for agricultural production, and fishing vessels. This content is shown in Clause 2, Article 9 of the draft Law.

TS

Source: https://daidoanket.vn/phong-chong-tham-nhung-tieu-cuc-lang-phi-can-giai-phap-dot-pha-10295345.html