Establishment of the Government Inspection Commission – Promoting Inspection Activities to Serve the Resistance War (1949 - 1954)
Immediately upon its establishment, the Government Inspection Commission promoted inspection activities and directed inspection work across ministries and localities. This brought inspection work into a regular, systematic practice, having a profound impact on all aspects of the country's life.
1. Organizational Structure and Leadership
Due to the conditions of the resistance war, although it was established with its own office, the Government Inspection Commission operated almost as a joint entity with the Party Central Inspection Committee.
-
Dual Roles: Comrade Tran Dang Ninh, Head of the Party Central Inspection Committee, concurrently held the position of Deputy Inspector General. Other cadres within the Party Central Inspection Committee were appointed by the Government as envoys of the Government Inspection Commission.
-
Impact: This organizational method created a close-knit relationship between the Party's "Inspection" (Kiểm tra) and the State's "Inspection" (Thanh tra). Holding dual mandates (Party and Government) enhanced the prestige and authority of inspection officers in performing their duties.
2. Major Inspection Campaigns (1949 - 1953)
Under the direct guidance of Hồ Tùng Mậu and Trần Đăng Ninh, State inspection work was conducted regularly:
-
February 1950 (Việt Bắc Base): The first inspection mission, led by Hồ Tùng Mậu, focused on the construction of government organizations and mass movements. The mission praised the spirit of the ethnic minorities in Việt Bắc while advising local authorities on strengthening civil-military relations.
-
May 1950 (Inter-region IV): Following public complaints, an inspection was conducted in Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, and Ha Tinh provinces. They discovered several wrongdoings, including violations of religious policies and "militaristic" behaviors (intimidation of the masses).
-
Historical Significance: Upon receiving the report, President Ho Chi Minh directly wrote a letter to the people of Inter-region IV, apologizing on behalf of the Government and promising to rectify the mistakes made by local authorities. This significantly strengthened national unity.
-
-
1949 - 1950 (The Tran Du Chau Case): An inspection led by Comrade Tran Tu Binh (Deputy Inspector General of the Army) gathered evidence of embezzlement and bribery against Tran Du Chau and others. This case had a massive impact, educating cadres and restoring the trust of the army and the people.
3. Financial and Policy Inspections (1951 - 1953)
-
Agricultural Tax: In 1951, as the government began collecting agricultural tax in rice to supply the resistance, joint inspection teams (including Party, Inspection, and Military representatives) were formed to ensure transparency.
-
Frontline Support: In early 1951, inspections were conducted at the "Route 5 Front" (Mặt trận đường 5) to improve leadership and operational effectiveness.
-
Anti-Corruption in Infrastructure: In March 1952, an investigation into embezzled public funds at transport construction sites in Inter-region III resulted in the recovery of 579,000 VND and the prosecution/dismissal of several officials.
-
Land Rent Reduction: In early 1953, under the new Inspector General Nguyễn Văn Trân, teams were sent to monitor the implementation of land rent reduction policies, ensuring they aligned with the policy of national solidarity.
4. Transition to the Dien Bien Phu Campaign
From mid-1953, to prepare for the Winter-Spring Campaign of 1953-1954, the Government established the "Frontline Supply Council." Most personnel from the Government Inspection Commission were reassigned to this council to focus all resources on the decisive victory.
Conclusion: > The activities of the Government Inspection Commission during this period were vital in ensuring the implementation of Party and State policies. Their scientific, objective, and people-centered approach laid the foundational ideology and theory for the Vietnam Inspection System today.
