When minerals are likened to "a delicious piece of fat placed in front of a cat's mouth"

Representative Tran Huu Hau's analogy stems from the context: the summary report on 13 years of implementing the Mineral Law shows that auctioning mineral exploitation rights has been highly effective, increasing revenue for the state budget, but the percentage of mining licenses granted through auctions is very low.

In particular, there was very alarming information provided by Lieutenant General Tran Minh Le, Director of the Department of Environmental Crime Prevention and Control, at the Ministry of Public Security 's press conference announcing the situation and results of the first quarter of 2024 regarding crimes related to the exploitation of natural resources and minerals, on March 26, 2024.

Recently, the illegal exploitation, transportation, and trading of minerals has become a complex issue in many localities (Cao Bang, Hanoi, Bac Giang, Hung Yen, Thai Binh, Quang Ninh, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Gia Lai, Lam Dong, Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai, Ba Ria - Vung Tau, Long An, Soc Trang, Kien Giang, Dong Thap, An Giang, Tien Giang ...).

And the Department of Police Investigation of Corruption, Economic Crimes, and Smuggling has participated in investigating and prosecuting a series of major cases related to mineral exploitation such as sand, coal, and rare earth elements...

There have been cases that have shocked public opinion, such as the illegal sand mining case in An Giang, where authorities have prosecuted 19 defendants. Among them are defendants with special positions - from department directors to vice chairmen and chairmen of provinces, with acts identified as accepting bribes, collusion, complicity, protection rackets, and illicit profiteering…

This is why delegate Tran Huu Hau not only likened "minerals to a delicious piece of fat placed on a cat's mouth," but also proposed a solution: "We cannot simply strengthen the teaching and reminding of cats that they must maintain their moral character and not steal food because it belongs to their owner... but we need to cover and lock them up tightly. Otherwise, we will almost certainly have to chase, beat, confine, or even execute the cats; thus losing those cats that are skilled at catching mice, a function they are naturally gifted at."

Returning to the press conference in March 2024, Major General Nguyen Van Thanh, Deputy Director of the Department of Criminal Investigation of Corruption, Economic Crimes, and Smuggling, stated: After handling major cases, the situation of large-scale illegal sand mining has decreased, and currently only small-scale, opportunistic cases remain.

This is good news. However, it must also be acknowledged that such "good news" from handling major cases and "punishing" or "imprisoning" criminals is only temporary.

The fundamental issue still lies in how to ensure that the upcoming Law on Geology and Minerals includes more stringent, clear, and transparent provisions…

Minerals are a "delicious piece of meat" because they are a valuable resource of the country, most of which cannot be regenerated or replenished.

Therefore, the law must simultaneously meet the demands of managing exploitation, contributing proportionally to its value to the state budget, while also ensuring economical and efficient use, and preventing loopholes that would allow those who disregard moral advice to "steal" resources!

Source: https://laodong.vn/su-kien-binh-luan/khi-khoang-san-duoc-vi-nhu-mieng-mo-ngon-dat-tren-mieng-meo-1359222.ldo