Clampdown on misuse of farm land
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| Many houses are illegally built on agricultural land in Ha Noi's Tu Liem District. — Photo courtesy of online newspaper Dien dan Doanh nghiep (Business Forum) |
HA NOI (VNS)— The capital plans to withdraw agricultural land that is being used for purposes other than it was intended for.
The municipal Natural Resources and Environment Department has asked the city's People's Committee to help districts review their management and use of agricultural land, and hand out appropriate punishments where necessary.
The proposal was made after the department found many shortcomings and Land Law violations in the use of agricultural land during recent inspections. It said that some agricultural land had been used to build warehouses, workshops, offices and accommodation.
In some areas, farming land was left vacant or used for other purposes, leading to waste. The department said they were all violations of the Land Law.
According to Government Decree 64, each commune is allowed to use no more than 5 per cent of its agricultural land for public purposes.
Department statistics showed that the city had nearly 14,000ha of this land, mostly in the districts of Chuong My, My Duc, Dan Phuong, Son Tay and Me Linh, of which more than 80ha was not being used as directed.
Some areas had been used for the wrong purposes for many years without the supervision of local people's committees and relevant authorities.
According to the department deputy director, Nguyen Huu Nghia, violations included illegally leasing out the land and using more than the permitted 5 per cent for public purposes.
"Those who use public land ineffectively, violate the Land Law or do not perform their allotted duties to the Government will have their contracts liquidated, cancelled or terminated," said Nghia.
Illegal construction on public land would also be dealt with while related construction inspections would be conducted in accordance with the Land Law.
He also added that the city would organise bidding for organisations and individuals in need of land that had been revoked. — VNS