Resolving the land compensation and resettlement issues for the Ban Mong water reservoir project.

(Baonghean.vn) - On the morning of March 16th, a provincial delegation led by Mr. Dinh Viet Hong - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, worked with the leaders of Quy Hop district on the land clearance work for the construction project of Ban Mong water reservoir in Yen Hop commune.

In accordance with the decision of the Nghe An Provincial People's Committee approving the overall plan for resettlement of people affected by the land compensation and clearance component of the Ban Mong irrigation and hydropower project, the Quy Hop District People's Committee has carried out the land compensation and clearance work for phase 1 with a total area of ​​86.979 hectares, affecting 218 households, with a total compensation value of over 45 billion VND. This phase was completed and the land was handed over to the Management Board at the end of June 2011.

However, in the first phase of the diversion channel project, eight households in Trong Canh hamlet, Yen Hop commune, with a total land area of ​​5.1972 hectares to be acquired, disagreed with the compensation plan for the value of assets on the land.

Faced with these difficulties, the District Land Compensation Council has repeatedly held dialogues with the eight households to persuade and explain the legal regulations on land use rights as well as the State's policies on compensation and support for land clearance.

Based on the provincial directive, the District Compensation and Land Clearance Council has approved an additional plan under the scheme of "Cash support, with the support level equal to 40% of the land compensation price calculated based on the actual area of ​​land reclaimed, but not exceeding the agricultural land allocation limit".

However, these households still demanded compensation for the value of their land. Based on this, Comrade Dinh Viet Hong directed that the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment be consulted on resolving the aforementioned issue. On January 23, 2015, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment issued guidance document No. 218, stating that eight households and individuals were not eligible for land compensation when the state reclaimed their land. In cases where households and individuals directly engaged in agricultural production are significantly affected in their lives and livelihoods when the state reclaims their land, the Provincial People's Committee will consider each case individually to implement other support measures in accordance with the law.

Overview of the working session

Regarding the issue of three households arbitrarily planting trees on land that has been cleared and handed over by the Quy Hop District People's Committee, the primary responsibility for resolving this lies with the Ban Mong Project Management Board and the investor's representative, the Irrigation Construction and Investment Management Board No. 4. This is a major obstacle causing delays in the land clearance process for phase 1 in Quy Hop district compared to the planned schedule.

Concluding the meeting, Comrade Dinh Viet Hong requested the Project Management Board and relevant departments and agencies to focus on effectively carrying out land clearance work. In the coming period, he requested that the two units, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Investment and Construction Management Board of Irrigation Project 4, coordinate even better to develop a direction and plan for the specific workload, and submit a report to the Provincial People's Committee, relevant departments and agencies, and localities before March 25th.

Specifically, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment must finalize the land compensation rates for 2015 before March 25th as a basis for the Provincial People's Committee and the Steering Committee for Compensation and Land Clearance of the Ban Mong project to consider and resolve issues in accordance with regulations.

On behalf of the Quy Hop District People's Committee, Mr. Dinh Viet Hong requested that eight households in Yen Hop commune located in the first phase of the diversion canal of the headworks project, and three households who had arbitrarily planted trees on land already cleared for the project, be invited to disseminate information and educate them about the documents of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Provincial People's Committee regarding legal regulations on land use rights as well as State policies on compensation and support for land clearance.

Regarding the construction site security plan, the Quy Hop District Police must submit a report to the Provincial Police. The construction unit needs to be prepared with sufficient manpower and resources to commence construction when conditions permit.

Phan Giang