At the conference. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Party General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng, head of the Central Steering Committee for Anti-Corruption and Anti-Negativity, on Monday chaired a conference to review the committee's one-year operation in directing the prevention and combat of corruption and negativity at the provincial level.

The hybrid conference took place at the Party Central Committee hall, with more than 300 on-site delegates and 2,200 online participants at localities.

Its aim was to evaluate the results of establishing and implementing tasks of provincial steering committees for anti-corruption and anti-negativity, in accordance with Regulation 67 issued on June 2, 2022, by the Secretariat.

The conference was expected to provide professional guidance, share experiences, and address difficulties and obstacles encountered during the operation of provincial steering committees. Tasks and solutions to enhance the operational efficiency of these committees will also be identified, contributing to the ongoing efforts in preventing and combating corruption and negativity.

The Central Commission for Internal Affairs reports that as of August 5, 2022, a mere two months after the Party Central Committee's resolution and Secretariat's regulations, all 63 provincial steering committees for corruption prevention and control were rapidly established. The three earliest localities to establish these committees were Hà Nội, Đà Nẵng, and Thanh Hóa.

According to the report by the commission, the provincial steering committees have played a significant role in bringing about noticeable changes in the prevention and combat of corruption and negativity at the local level. They have been particularly successful in detecting and addressing instances of corruption and misconduct, gradually mitigating the previous culture of tolerance towards such practices.

The Central Commission for Internal Affairs also recognises the establishment of provincial steering committees as a crucial milestone in Việt Nam's organisational system, leadership, and direction in the fight against corruption and negativity, marking a significant step forward.

The summary report of one year of operation of the Provincial Steering Committees on anti-corruption and anti-negativity said that these committees have effectively advised, directed, and organised the implementation of the Party and State's guidelines and regulations on the prevention and combat of corruption and negativity.

The committees have demonstrated a greater level of seriousness, promptness, and effectiveness in implementing the conclusions of the Central Steering Committee, the General Secretary, and the Head of the Central Steering Committee than in previous periods.

A total of 2,196 documents have been promulgated by the provincial steering committees, with a focus on leading, directing, and organising the prevention and combat of corruption and negativity at the local levels. Many provinces and cities have excelled in this aspect, such as Lào Cai, Ninh Thuận, Bình Thuận, Trà Vinh, and Sóc Trăng. The concrete actions and timely implementation mentioned above have fostered a high level of consistency from the central to local levels, ensuring the Party and State's resolutions, guidelines, and determinations on anti-corruption come to life.

The provincial steering committees have placed significant emphasis on directing and strengthening inspections, supervision, and the settlement of complaints and denunciations. This approach has resulted in the prompt correction of numerous wrongdoings, as well as the detection and strict handling of many Party organisations, cadres, and members involved in violations.

Through inspections and supervision, several Party organisations and members have undergone disciplinary action due to acts of corruption, negativity, and a decline in political ideology, morality, and lifestyle. Additionally, the committees have referred 286 cases with criminal indications to the Investigation Agency for handling, representing an almost threefold increase compared to the year prior to the establishment of the provincial steering committees.

In addition to directing functional branches, the provincial steering committees have conducted 147 inspections and supervision of Party committees and organisations at all levels to assess their adherence to the Party's guidelines, regulations, and laws regarding the prevention and combat of corruption and negativity.

They have also assessed the leadership, direction, and handling of denunciations and crime reports, as well as the implementation of conclusions from working delegations of the Steering Committee and members of the Central Steering Committee. Furthermore, they have reviewed inspection conclusions and recommendations from the State Audit.

The provincial steering committees have prioritised directing the resolution of difficulties and obstacles, expediting the settlement of corruption and negative cases, including complex and protracted cases that are of public interest in each locality. They have placed 444 cases under monitoring and direction, with 156 cases categorised as complicated corruption and negative cases that have drawn public attention.

Additionally, 530 new cases involving 1,858 individuals accused of corruption crimes have been prosecuted. The number of officials and Party members prosecuted for acts of corruption and negativity stands at 1,132. Furthermore, 15 Party organisations and nearly 80 cadres and civil servants from agencies with anti-corruption functions have been disciplined for their involvement in corrupt and negative activities. The provincial steering committees have diligently adhered to the policy of handling without forbidden zones or exceptions.

General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng warmly welcomed and congratulated the achievements and praised the efforts, contributions, and practical work of localities in anti-corruption and anti-negativity efforts.

Regarding the requirements, tasks, and solutions to further enhance the effectiveness of the provincial steering committees and local anti-corruption and anti-negativity work in the future, General Secretary Trọng emphasised the need for a thorough and profound understanding of the position, role, function, and tasks of the provincial committee. It is necessary to work in an organised and systematic manner, in accordance with the assigned functions and tasks, ensuring increasing effectiveness.

He pointed out the need to establish comprehensive programmes, plans, and working regulations in a systematic and rigorous manner, regularly inspect and urge the implementation, clearly assign tasks to members of the provincial steering committee, and promptly develop and issue internal regulations and procedures, strictly adhere to the working regime.

After each meeting, there must be announcements of conclusions and directives, urging the implementation to achieve specific results, so that officials, Party members, and the people can see noticeable changes through each meeting of the steering committees, he said.

He also noted that it is necessary to continue to direct and further enhance the responsibility of the Party committees at all levels, the pioneering spirit, the role model, and the consistent development of the moral culture of cadres, Party members, and the leadership and management of all levels, especially the senior officials.

He emphasised the need to continue to direct the construction and rectification of the Party and political system, to prevent and reverse the decline in political ideology, ethics, and lifestyle, as well as the manifestations of "self-evolution" and "self-transformation." There must be a strong struggle against individualism, selfishness and group interests, he said. — VNS