Hanoi (VNA) - Party General Secretaryand State President Nguyen Phu Trong presided over a meeting on March 18 of theStanding Board of the Central Steering Committee on Anti-Corruption, to lookinto the handling of a number of cases that are under the supervision of thecommittee since its 19th session.

The meeting heard that in the opening months of2021, competent agencies concluded investigations into six cases with 70defendants, commenced proceedings in five cases with 45 defendants, conductedfirst instance trials of four cases with 15 defendants, and heard an appeal in onecase with one defendant. They also expanded investigations into a number ofcorruption cases and charged additional defendants.

First-instance trials have been conducted for the casesof violating regulations on investment in construction works causing seriousconsequences at an ethanol plant in the northern province of Phu Tho, and theabuse of position and power to misappropriate assets at the PetroVietnamExploration Production Corporation (PVEP).

The competent agencies also urgently investigatedand prosecuted a number of other key corruption cases that are of specialconcern to the public.

The Party Central Committee’s InspectionCommission set up 22 teams to conduct inspection and supervision of Partyorganisations and Party members under the management of the Party CentralCommittee to promptly detect and handle arising urgent problems.

The standing board directed Party committees andorganisations at all levels to continue to promote the fight against corruptionwith greater political determination and more effective and firm action.

Relevant authorities were asked to strengthencoordination, remove difficulties, and step up investigations, prosecutions,and trials of cases that are under the direction and management of the SteeringCommittee, towards wrapping up investigations in four cases, conductingproceedings in eight cases and trials of 11 cases in the first instance, andeight appellate trials, while finishing the verification and handling of 10cases in line with the plan set by the Steering Committee.

Party General Secretary Trong, who is also head ofthe Central Steering Committee on Anti-Corruption, praised the effort anddetermination of and smooth coordination between relevant agencies in combatingcorruption.

He attributed the positive results to the highlevel of solidarity and unity within the Party, among the people, andespecially within the Steering Committee.

The Party leader demanded greater determination to thoroughlyhandle cases, noting that asset recovery must be completed better.

He also emphasised the need to continue toconsolidate and further improve the quality of the operations of the SteeringCommittee, as well as to build reward and penalty mechanisms and regulationsfor agencies and individuals that do well in the task or fall short ofexpectations./.