Chief officials need greater accountability

... regulated the responsibilities of chief officials of state agencies or organisations.

Chief officials will be held responsible if deputy chief officials or other officials under their management are found following corrupt or deliberately wasteful practices. The chief officials will also be held responsible for failing to punish their staff’s errors or violations with adequate severity.

Chief officials will additionally be liable in the following cases: failure to set guidlines for their subordinates, being unclear in task assignment, and not supervising their subordinates’ assigned responsibilities.

The legal document also regulates sanctions against chief officials according to the nature of their violation.

Official document: Decree No 157/2007/ND – CP, dated October 27.

Protected-forest planting needs assistance

... approved the assistance of US$500 per new ha of protected woodlands planted as part of the forestry development project for the improvement of lives in Tay Nguyen (Central Highlands).

The decision also provided details on other areas of assistance, including favourable investment policies for households, communities and organisations taking part in the development project.

The project is taking place across the Central Highlands provinces, including Gia Lai, Kon Tum, Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Lam Dong and Phu Yen.

Official document: Decision No 166/2007/QD-TTg, dated October 30th.

Anti-flood construction gets approved

... approved a plan to build 287 kilometres of anti-flood routes in the northwestern provinces in advance of the completion of five new hydroelectric plants in Son La, Lai Chau, Ban Chat, Huoi Quang and Nam Chien over the next several years.

The plan also calls for the development of a water traffic system to transport goods to the northwest region while investing in airlines to diversify shipping routes.

The total investment for the project is nearly VND9,497 billion ($594 million), half of which will be funded by Electricity of Viet Nam.

Official document: Decision 1453/QD-TTg.

• Unemployment insurance by the rules -02/08/2009
• PM lauds central province’s efforts to lure investment -02/08/2009
• MOH and UN call for breastfeeding -02/08/2009
• Lao Cai to host tourism programme to mark Thang Long – Hanoi celebration -02/08/2009
• $81 million food safety project approved -02/08/2009

• Japan to provide stimulus loan -02/08/2009
• Vietnam to continue receiving Japan’s financial support -02/08/2009
• Vinashin to take over Chan May Port -02/08/2009
• Ha Noi to host physics olympiad -02/08/2009
• Industrial growth plan to get reviewed -02/08/2009