HCMC – Inspectors of the HCMC Department of Finance have imposed an administrative fine of VND20 million on a cooking gas trading company over violations of price registration rules.
Nguyen Thanh Binh, chief inspector of the department, told the Daily that a decision on the fine was issued on Tuesday and law enforcement officers would work with the violator, Petrolimex Saigon Gas Company, over the penalty within the next few days.
According to Binh, the enterprise has sold gas at prices not yet approved by authorities. Local enterprises are required to register any revisions of gas sale prices with the finance departments under Circular 122/2010/TT-BTC issued by the Ministry of Finance.
“Gas traders on January 5 increased sale prices by VND8,000 per cylinder as import tax rose from 2% to 5%. The new price is fine but the enterprises failed to do as regulated,” Binh explained.
The department will fine Shell Gas Vietnam and Total Gas for the same violation. “We are waiting for district inspectors’ reports, so we cannot say how much fines are. If the value of gas involved in violations is over VND100 million, the maximum fine will be VND20 million,” Binh added.
Law enforcement agencies earlier inspected five gas companies after they raised gas retail prices by VND8,000 per 12-kilo cylinder on January 5. Just one company followed the price registration rule.
The department since early this month has boosted inspections into price regulation implementation in the Tet season at traditional markets, supermarkets, coach stations and entertainment parks, especially those selling necessities.
