HÀ NỘI — The Politburo and Secretariat of the Party Central Committee convened a meeting in Hà Nội on Tuesday to consider disciplinary actions against several Party organisations and members for committing wrongdoings.

After reviewing the proposals from the Party Central Committee's Inspection Commission, the Politburo and Secretariat determined that the Standing Board of the Party Committee of Lâm Đồng Province during the 2015-2020 tenure violated the principle of democratic centralism and working regulations. They failed to report to or seek direction from the provincial Party Committee regarding the planning of three types of forests in the locality.

The Standing Board demonstrated a lack of responsibility and lax leadership, direction, inspection, and supervision, allowing standing members of the provincial People's Council to issue documents that replaced resolutions on the forest planning, contrary to regulations and beyond their authority. They also permitted the provincial People's Committee to release decisions and documents on forest planning, changes in land use, financial obligations, project management, and construction orders for three projects without legal foundations, risking revenue loss and budget shortfalls, leading to disciplinary actions against many Party organisations and members.

The Standing Board of the Lâm Đồng provincial Party Committee in the 2020-2025 tenure also violated democratic centralism and working regulations. They failed to meet to discuss the policy of converting forest land to housing land at the Đại Ninh urban area project, made illegal decisions regarding the construction of a golf club, and exhibited lax leadership, direction, inspection, and supervision.

Consequently, the Standing Board submitted a report to the Prime Minister requesting agreement with the Government Inspectorate's findings on the Đại Ninh project, allowing illegal rescheduling and continuation. The provincial People's Committee was slow to define financial obligations related to land use for the project, risking significant State budget losses. Many officials and Party members, including key provincial leaders, faced disciplinary and criminal action for involvement in bribery, abuse of power, and other misconduct related to the Đại Ninh project and associated entities.

Meanwhile, the Party Civil Affairs Committee of the Government Inspectorate in the 2016-2021 tenure infringed democratic centralism, Party regulations, and working rules. They demonstrated a lack of responsibility, allowing the Government Inspectorate to handle the petition from Sài Gòn Đại Ninh Company contrary to the Inspection Law, proposing unlawful project and land use extensions. Several officials and Party members faced disciplinary and criminal prosecution.

Lê Minh Khái, Deputy Prime Minister and former Secretary of various Party committees, violated Party regulations and State laws in performing his duties. He infringed regulations on Party member conduct and responsibilities, causing serious consequences and negative public opinion, damaging the reputation of Party organisations and the inspection sector.

At the meeting, the Politburo and Secretariat identified violations by Party organisations and members within the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the provinces of Lạng Sơn, Yên Bái, Phú Thọ, Bắc Ninh, Bình Thuận, and Cà Mau.

Based on the content, nature, level, consequences, and causes of these violations, the Politburo decided to issue warnings to the Standing Board of the Party Committee of Lâm Đồng Province for the 2015-2020 and 2020-2025 tenures, as well as to Lê Minh Khái. The Party Central Committee's Secretariat also issued a warning to the Party Civil Affairs Committee of the Government Inspectorate for the 2016-2021 tenure.

Several Party members from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the aforementioned provinces were expelled from the Party.

The Politburo and Secretariat instructed authorised agencies to implement disciplinary measures against the identified officials and Party organisations promptly, ensuring alignment with the Party's disciplinary framework. — VNS