Public institutions failing to comply with the recommendations of the Court of Accounts will face fines ranging from 2,000 to 20,000 lei, and in special cases those responsible will get 180 to 240 hours of community service, under a bill approved today in Parliament upon first reading, IPN reports.

The penalties are proposed as amendments to the Code of Administrative Offenses.

Further penalties will be applicable to persons in positions of authority who fail to offer or withhold information requested by the Court of Accounts.

Liberal-Democrat Veaceslav Ionita, one of the bill's drafters, said the measure aims to increase the responsibility of managers in administering public resources, and to improve the efficiency of audit activities.

The bill received a negative vote from the Communists. In particular, MP Artur Resetnicov argued that generally recommendations and prescriptions are not legally binding and thus cannot carry penalties.