Reviewing the responsibility of officials and handling violations in white sand mining

After punishing violators, the responsibility of officials will be considered.

After the article "Illegal sand mining in Quang Tri" published in Lao Dong No. 179 on August 2, 2024, reflecting the illegal white sand mining situation in Gio Mai commune (Gio Linh district, Quang Tri province), but Gio Mai commune People's Committee ignored it and refused to resolve it, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Quang Tri province issued a document requesting Gio Linh district People's Committee to verify and handle the situation. Before the provincial Department of Natural Resources and Environment commented, Gio Linh District Party Committee also directed the district People's Committee to clarify Lao Dong's reflection. Gio Linh district People's Committee requested the district Department of Natural Resources and Environment and Gio Linh district Police to intervene.

Mr. Vo Dac Hoa - Chairman of Gio Linh District People's Committee - said that illegal white sand mining has been happening in Gio Mai commune for many years, but the commune People's Committee only... reminded, so it still continued. In the case reported by the newspaper, after the specialized agencies inspected and found sufficient grounds, the Gio Linh District People's Committee issued a decision to impose a fine.

Accordingly, Mr. Vo Quoc Khanh was administratively fined 20 million VND for destroying land and deforming the terrain with a destroyed area of ​​3,205.5 square meters. Mr. Khanh was also forced to restore the land to its original state before the violation. "Based on information from Lao Dong Newspaper, we have investigated and proceeded to punish the violator," said Mr. Vo Dac Hoa.

Mr. Le Tien Dung - Secretary of Gio Linh District Party Committee - said: "There will be a monitoring delegation soon, I request to clarify the responsibility of Gio Mai commune officials. I also called and reminded the Secretary and Chairman of Gio Mai commune to strictly follow the regulations, not to let similar incidents happen."

Hold leaders accountable

Mr. Ha Sy Dong, Permanent Vice Chairman of Quang Tri Provincial People's Committee, said that in May 2024, Quang Tri Provincial People's Committee issued a document on continuing to strengthen State management of minerals used as common construction materials.

Regarding the articles of Lao Dong Newspaper, the province has issued instructions to thoroughly handle them. Accordingly, the People's Committee of Quang Tri province requires the People's Committees at the commune level to propagate, disseminate and educate the law on minerals to villages, hamlets and hamlets; mobilize local people not to exploit, purchase, store and transport minerals illegally, detect and denounce organizations and individuals who illegally exploit minerals; and implement plans to protect unexploited minerals in the area.

In particular, the People's Committee of Quang Tri province has issued a form of collective and individual punishment for illegal mineral exploitation. The Chairman of the District People's Committee is responsible to the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, the Chairman of the Commune People's Committee is responsible to the Chairman of the District People's Committee when illegal mineral exploitation occurs in the area without handling it or allowing it to continue for a long time. In case of detecting officials and civil servants covering up or assisting illegal mineral exploitation activities, they must be reviewed and disciplined according to the provisions of law.

“The People's Committee of Quang Tri province has directed local authorities at the commune and district levels to strengthen inspection and management of areas within the administrative area. At the same time, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment must regularly monitor and guide localities to properly manage mineral resources and coordinate with functional forces to inspect, rectify and strictly handle violations in accordance with legal regulations,” said Mr. Ha Sy Dong.