Report: coal mine corruption cost lives
- Source: Global Times
- [04:50 January 04 2010]
- http://china.globaltimes.cn/society/2010-01/495948.html
An investigation stemming from a string of coal mine explosions has resulted in corruption charges against more than 50 local officials in Chenzhou, Hunan Province.
The officials were found to have invested illegally in coalmines and colluded with coal mine owners, according to a Chenzhou government report released at the beginning of the New Year.
The local government announced 24 additional cases related to the disruption of production. Fifteen people were confirmed to be among those charged in three similar corruption cases since last November, when the local government began a crackdown on those who violate coal-mining regulations.
The report said some officials from government departments or State-owned enterprises showed a "weak legal consciousness" about the regulations and abused their power to seek personal gain, resulting in frequent coal mine accidents and chaos in the coal industry.
Zeng Xianming, former director of the Chenzhou Coal Bureau, was arrested for accepting bribes and serious dereliction of duty last year. He allegedly used false documents to help the owners of the Qingshanbei coalmine, located in Zhangshu township of Yongxing county, to begin illegal production.
The notice says Zeng failed to issue an order to close the mine, even after a fatal explosion raised safety concerns and the local government had imposed stricter regulations.
A three-story office building at the Qingshanbei coal mine exploded on April 17, 2009, leaving more than 20 people dead and five seriously injured. The cause of the accident was traced to dynamite detonators illegally stored in the building.
The accident resulted in losses of 4.85 million yuan ($710,425). A follow-up investigation led to a series of corruption cases in this small city.
Among 10 local officials who shared responsibility for the accident, the former Party secretary of Zhangshu Township allegedly accepted a 300,000- yuan ($43,944) bribe from the Qingshanbei mine, according to the report.
In a separate case, Liu Qihui, deputy secretary of the Yongxing Environmental Protection Bureau, invested 240,000 yuan ($35,155) in the local Matu coalmine between 2002 and April 2008, earning a profit of 765,300 yuan ($109,130). He was given a serious warning and removed from his position.
Officials' involvement in coal mining operations undermines the industry's development, some officials said.
"It hinders the merger and reconstruction of the industry for years," a local official, who asked to remain anonymous, told the Global Times Sunday.
"Officials provided a shield for illegal mine owners by accepting bribes or investing in the coal mines, preventing the unqualified mines from being closed or ordered to stop production," the official added.
"It's an open secret that bureaucrats shield one another and local merchants," a local residents who declined to be named, told the Global Times, noting that several corruption scandals have broken out in Chenzhou in recent years, notably the case of Li Dalun.
Li, former secretary of the Chenzhou Party Committee, was sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve in 2008 for accepting bribes totaling more than 14 million yuan ($2,050,710). The scandal involved more than 110 local officials.
In order to improve the political environment in Chenzhou, the government has enhanced anti-corruption education among officials and punished officials who interfere in the business of coalmines.
The local government also publicized hotlines and public mailboxes.
"I hope the government could take more effective measures to deal with the crimes," the resident said.
