A leading Government watchdog yesterday praised concerted efforts to fight corruption but conceded that no breakthrough had been achieved in surmounting the scourge. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI – A leading Government watchdog yesterday praised concerted efforts to fight corruption but conceded that no breakthrough had been achieved in surmounting the scourge.

The report by the Deputy Inspector General of the Government Inspectorate,  Đặng Công Huẩn, was presented yesterday to the National Assembly’s Judicial Committee that convened for its seventh session.

Administrative reform has been thoroughly implemented in the fields of land, taxation, customs and social insurance, intensifying the accountability of State agencies in the performance of their assigned tasks, ensuring transparency in the operation of authorities and Government organisations and strengthening the supervisory role of elected bodies, the Việt Nam Fatherland Front, press agencies and the people in corruption prevention and control, Huẩn said.

In addition, according to the inspector, functional agencies have taken the initiative in coordinating with each other in the process of investigating, prosecuting and adjudicating corruption cases.

Many serious and complicated corruption cases have been strictly adjudicated in accordance with the law, resulting in deterrence and prevention.

According to the Government report on corruption prevention and control, corruption in 2018 is forecast to continue showing signs of decline.

"Drastic authorisation of the Central Steering Committee for Anti-Corruption, along with efforts of functional agencies in the fight against corruption, especially resolutely investigating and strictly handling serious corruption, will help strengthen people’s trust and at the same time have a clear deterrent effect, " said Huẩn.

However, the report acknowledged that despite the positive results, it was still not a substantive breakthrough.

Corruption is still occurring in a more serious, complex and sophisticated manner, especially in the financial and banking sectors, management and use of land, management of mining, mineral and investment.

Corruption prevention in localities is still weak and uneven, according to the report.

National Assembly Vice Chairman Uông Chu Lưu, who chaired the session, suggested that the report on corruption prevention in 2017 should clarify both the

objective and subjective causes of complex corruption.

He said the implementation of the law, as well as implementation of discipline, should be strengthened to effect real change in 2018. — VNS