Fined 70 million VND for illegally leveling and reclaiming rice paddy land.
Despite repeated warnings and requests to cease the violation, the residents refused to comply. Therefore, the People's Committee of Quang Chau commune (Nghe An province) issued a fine of up to 70 million VND for illegally dumping soil to improve rice cultivation land.
On September 15th, the leaders of Quang Chau commune People's Committee (Nghe An province) announced that the locality had issued an administrative penalty decision in the field of land use against Mr. Bui Van T. (40 years old, residing in Van Hien hamlet) for the act of "Destroying land by altering the topography: leveling, raising, or lowering the surface of agricultural land and aquaculture land, thereby rendering the land unusable for its intended purpose."
According to the leaders of Quang Chau Commune People's Committee, on August 14th, after inspecting the Roc Loi and Bo Lang fields in Tan Yen hamlet and verifying information and working with relevant individuals, the Economic Department of the Quang Chau Commune People's Committee determined that from July 2nd, 2025, Mr. T. had committed the act of dumping soil, mixed with rocks, to level and raise the surface of rice paddy land on a portion of 11 plots of land with a total area of 4,085.2 m2. This act is regulated under Point c, Clause 2, Article 14 of Government Decree No. 123/2024/ND-CP dated October 4th, 2024, on administrative penalties for violations in the field of land.
After inspection, the People's Committee of Quang Chau commune drew up a violation report and issued a fine of 70 million VND. The fine decision did not apply the measure of forcing the restoration of the land to its original condition before the violation, as it was not feasible to restore it to its original state.
Previously, local residents reported that Mr. T. had leveled thousands of square meters of rice paddy land in the Dong My hamlet area, next to National Highway 7B, to plant ornamental trees, perennial plants, and erect fences... Before imposing the fine, the Quang Chau Commune People's Committee had twice issued written notices and requested him to stop the violation and restore the land to its original state, but the household still did not comply.
According to Mr. T.'s statement, because the land was too deep and unproductive, his family took it upon themselves to renovate it.
