Increase in Fines for Administrative Violations in the Field of Meteorology and Hydrology

At the same time, delaying the transmission and broadcast of meteorological and hydrological disaster forecasts and warnings beyond the prescribed time is also subject to a fine ranging from VND 20 to 30 million.

Decree 84/2017/ND-CP stipulates that administrative violations in the field of meteorology and hydrology include: violations of regulations on meteorological and hydrological forecasting and warning; violations of regulations on the management and exploitation of the meteorological and hydrological station network; violations of regulations on the provision, exploitation, use, and exchange of meteorological and hydrological information and data; violations of regulations on weather modification and other violations in meteorology and hydrology as stipulated in this Decree.

Increase in Penalties

Decree 173/2013/ND-CP stipulates that organizations and individuals committing administrative violations in the fields of meteorology, hydrology, surveying, and mapping will be subject to one of the main penalties as prescribed, including the form of revocation of licenses from 3 to 12 months. Decree 84/2017/ND-CP has increased the period of license revocation to 3 to 24 months.

Decree 84/2017/ND-CP also increases fines for activities of meteorological and hydrological forecasting and warning without a license to VND 25 to 30 million. The previous fine was only VND 10 to 15 million.

Decree 84/2017/ND-CP stipulates that if activities are not in accordance with the contents stated in the license; alter or falsify the license content; engage in forecasting and warning activities when the license has expired, a fine of VND 15 to 20 million will be imposed; a fine of VND 20 to 25 million will be imposed for assigning or using another individual's or organization's license unlawfully.

Decree 84/2017/ND-CP also clearly stipulates the revocation of the license for 3 to 6 months for not organizing meteorological and hydrological forecasting and warning activities within 12 consecutive months from the date of license issuance without notifying the licensing authority of the reason. Revocation of the license for 6 to 12 months for one of the following violations: fraud in declaring the contents of the application for the license; continuing activities despite having a suspension decision on meteorological and hydrological forecasting and warning activities. Revocation of the license for 12 to 24 months for exploiting the license to commit illegal acts.

Additional Penalties

Decree 84/2017/ND-CP also supplements penalties for violations related to the forecasting and warning activities of organizations and individuals already licensed for meteorological and hydrological forecasting and warning.

To be specific, a fine ranging from VND 3 to 5 million will be imposed for issuing meteorological and hydrological forecast and warning bulletins that are unreliable three consecutive times in one month; a fine ranging from VND 5 to 10 million will be imposed for failing to report or incompletely reporting the results of meteorological and hydrological forecasting and warning activities.

A fine ranging from VND 10 to 15 million applies to one of the following violations: Not complying with technical standards on meteorological and hydrological forecasting and warning; not adhering to technical procedures and quality assessment processes in meteorological and hydrological forecasting and warning.

Source: Natural Resources and Environment Newspaper

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