The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) has revealed 13 corruption cases with the involvement of some Chinese provincial authorities in projects that violated the environment protection law.
The official statement posted by the anti-graft watchdog on its website showed how public servants from six provinces abused their political position to make decisions and direct environment-risky programs toward their own interest and benefit.
The provincial authorities' participation included their interference in the assessment of the projects with regard to their adverse effect on the environment.
One of the cases identified Li Qiumin, a former Henan Provincial Environmental Protection Department official, as responsible for allowing a factory to release excessive amounts of pollutants. The firm earlier failed to meet the necessary requirements for this discharge.
Actions such as those taken by Qiumin's are detrimental not only to nature but to the society as well. These issues often compel the public to file complaints, consequently damaging the image of some of the country's environmental officials.
CCDI inspection group chief Ji Lin expressed criticism over the environmental protection ministry's negligence in closely monitoring cases that involve environmental law violations. Ji also pointed to corruption as a reason why the ministry fails to fulfill its mandate.
"Some officials and their relatives have meddled in environmental assessment process," said Ji.
"[They] even set up companies to seek profits from winning contracts for projects where environmental assessment is required."