HÀ NỘI — Deputy Prime Minister Trương Hòa Bình has ordered ministries and local authorities to tighten control over sand and gravel exploitation to manage agricultural land and protect forests.

The request came amidst rampant violations taking place in several localities, including Vân Đồn District in Quảng Ninh Province and Phú Quốc District in Kiên Giang Province, which has raised public concern.

The deputy prime minister has asked the Ministry of Public Security to launch a campaign until the end of July to tackle sand exploitation in cities and provinces. The ministry has also been assigned to set up joint inspection team to visit hotspots and handle illegal sand exploitation.

He requested the people’s committee of provinces and cities, including HCM City, Hà Nội, Hải Phòng, Hưng Yên, Hải Dương, Khánh Hòa and Kon Tum, to clarify the responsibility of individuals and organisations related to violations. Measures should be adopted to stop illegal mining, he said.

The deputy prime minister ordered the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to work with the agencies and localities concerned to review the implementation of the law protection regulation and strictly deal with violators.

The people’s committees of provinces, namely, Đắk Lắk, Đắk Nông, Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Quảng Nam, Quảng Bình, Nghệ An, Thanh Hóa, Bắc Kạn and Điện Biên, were requested to determine the responsibility of individuals and organisations involved in cases of deforestation.

They are required to submit a report on the incidents to the Prime Minister before May 31.

Regarding violations of the use of agricultural land, Bình ordered the people’s committees of Quảng Ninh, Khánh Hòa and Kiên Giang to enhance the land management work, ensure that agricultural and forest land are utilised for the right purpose, and in accordance with the approved plan. Thus, authorities would be able to prevent illegal construction and sale of land, as well as inflated land prices.

If violations are found, chairpersons of provincial people’s committees will have to answer the Prime Minister, Bình said. — VNS