HÀ NỘI — The Hà Nội Department of Construction has demanded that local authorities in Sóc Sơn District promptly demolish four newly-built brick kilns, which were found to be operating illegally by local press, and re-examine the total number of brick kilns in the district.

Previously, Vietnamplus reported that tens of brick kilns kept operating in Sóc Sơn District, despite an order from the municipal authority to cease operations in late 2013. Their operations polluted the environment and affected local people’s health and production.

Many of the kilns were operating without construction permits. Some even expanded their kilns to yield higher profits.

At the meeting with the district’s People’s Committee on Tuesday, Võ Nguyên Phong, deputy director of the department, required the committee to cut power and water supply to these illegal brick kilns and suspended their operations.   

The committee was asked to work with the owners of four kilns to dismantle their construction projects within the month.

Of the four kilns, two have been operating in Đức Hòa and Bắc Phú communes, and the rest were under construction.

Phong also asked the committee to revise regulations on the number of brick kilns upgraded from craft kilns. It must also clarify the land management and financial obligations, such as taxes and environmental fees for the brick kilns in the province. For craft kilns, Phong required the committee to quickly dismantle them according to the city’s decision in late 2013.

Đỗ Minh Tuấn, vice chairman of the district’s People’s Committee, said that craft brick kilns kept reappearing in Lam Sơn, Bắc Sơn and Bắc Phú communes, although owners were instructed to demolish them many times.

He said the committee would re-examine the inspection of these kilns and clarify the responsibilities of those charged with the task.

Figures from the district’s authority show that 57 brick kilns were operating in the district. — VNS