Many community projects are opposed by the people but the authorities still legalize the planning.

This is the opinion of National Assembly delegate Nguyen Thanh Hien (Nghe An delegation) when participating in the discussion on the implementation of policies and laws on planning, management and use of urban land from the time the 2013 Land Law took effect until the end of 2018.

7th session, 14th National Assembly. Photo: VNA

Many shortcomings in implementing urban land policy

According to the report of the National Assembly's Supervisory Delegation, in recent times, there have been positive changes by the Government, ministries, sectors and localities in promulgating and implementing policies and laws on urban planning, management and land use. However, the report also pointed out shortcomings and limitations related to the implementation of policies on urban planning, management and land use, especially since the 2013 Land Law took effect.

That is, the establishment, appraisal, approval, adjustment and implementation of land use planning, land use plans and urban planning are still inadequate. Some investment projects have been allocated land or leased land by the State but have not put the land into use or have been slow in using it, causing waste and land to be left fallow. There are no effective policies to limit and handle land speculation, causing land prices to increase suddenly in a short period of time, affecting the investment environment. Inadequacies in the implementation of investment projects in the form of build-transfer (BT projects).

Statistics show that there are currently 3,088 projects and works that are slow to be implemented, with a total area of ​​80,453.2 hectares.

Delegate Nguyen Thanh Hien reflected that a series of projects requesting planning adjustments have encountered opposition from the residential community, but many projects are still legalized by authorities for the planning adjustments of investors. Photo: VNA

There are planning projects adjusted from 1 to 6 times.

Regarding this issue, delegate Nguyen Thanh Hien (Nghe An delegation) suggested that it is necessary to clarify the causes and responsibilities in the work of consulting and state management and clarify the capacity and qualities of a part of the cadres directly assigned to this field.

“Where is the weak capacity, where is the abuse of position and power for personal gain, where is the laxity in management?” – Mr. Hien asked and emphasized that the planning adjustment is still quite arbitrary.

Many projects requesting planning adjustments have encountered opposition from the community, but many projects are still legalized by the authorities for the planning adjustments of the investors. In particular, there are projects that have been adjusted many times, continuously, with adjustments related to land use structure, types of works in the project that have changed significantly compared to the original plan, causing huge consequences for traffic infrastructure and social infrastructure.

The project of high-end apartment and villa complex combined with commercial services in Nghi Huong ward (Cua Lo town) has been unfinished for many years. Photo: Thanh Le

According to the report, nationwide, there are 1,390 projects with planning adjustments from 1 to 6 times, reflecting the quality of planning work as well as the reality of taking advantage of policies for personal gain. Voters believe that the above planning adjustments are to serve the interests of investors and related people without caring about the interests of the people.

The delegate also proposed that the National Assembly continue to strictly direct the implementation of the 2013 Land Law and the 2009 Urban Planning Law. In particular, it is necessary to promptly review current regulations and issue a decree guiding the use of land funds to pay investors when implementing BT construction transfer projects. On the basis of reviewing the scope of fields where this mechanism is applied, it is necessary to focus mainly on infrastructure construction and limit the use of land funds to pay for projects that are not really necessary and do not have a widespread nature. In the case of changing the purpose of land use, enterprises are using it for other purposes, I agree with the recommendation of the State Audit, which is that it is necessary to promptly study and apply the auction method to prevent losses in this field...