Consider collective and individual responsibility for land violations in Thanh An commune (Thanh Chuong)

In 2022, in the Tea Island area, Thanh An commune, an individual arbitrarily changed the land use purpose from production forest land to non-agricultural land without permission from the competent State agency. Since June 2022, the People's Committee of Thanh An commune has received information, organized inspections and handled this violation.

Khe Tro hill area, where there is illegal conversion of forestry land use purposes and construction of works for non-agricultural purposes. Photo: Ha Giang

However, by February 2023, through inspection work, the Interdisciplinary Inspection Team established by the People's Committee of Thanh Chuong district determined that the case had not been completely handled by the People's Committee of Thanh An commune, not only that, the number of illegal construction works had increased. Specifically, on two plots of land No. 407 and 629, map sheet No. 01 of the Thanh An commune forestry map (address at Khe Tro hill, Thanh An commune, Thanh Chuong district), there were 12 illegal construction works serving non-agricultural purposes. Of which, there were 5 houses with iron, steel, glass, wood, and plastic frames built on reinforced concrete piles; 2 houses with brick walls and thatched roofs; 2 solar panels; 3 pile frames with thatched roofs.

According to the assessment of the Interdisciplinary Inspection Team, in June 2022, Thanh An Commune People's Committee inspected, made a record, and issued a decision to impose administrative sanctions on violators. However, according to the provisions of Clause 1 and Clause 2, Article 38 of Decree No. 91/2019/ND-CP, the decision to impose sanctions by Thanh An Commune People's Committee was not within its authority. In addition, Thanh An Commune People's Committee did not apply preventive measures and did not promptly handle construction activities on land used for the wrong purpose; and did not handle the case completely according to the provisions of law.

Illegal houses built on Khe Tro hill production forest land. Photo: Ha Giang

Based on the inspection results report of the Interdisciplinary Inspection Team, Thanh Chuong District People's Committee requested Thanh An Commune People's Committee to cancel the decision on administrative sanctions for land violations against the violators on two land plots No. 407 and 629 in Khe Tro Hill area, Thanh An Commune; inspect, review, complete and transfer the entire dossier to the District People's Committee for consideration and handling in accordance with the provisions of law.

Thanh Chuong District People's Committee also requested Thanh An Commune People's Committee to review and clarify the responsibilities of relevant collectives and individuals for the existing problems and violations; at the same time, direct the Department of Internal Affairs to advise the People's Committee to handle the responsibilities of relevant collectives and individuals.

From the Cau Cau Lake dam boat dock, you can see Khe Tro hill and illegal constructions. Photo: Ha Giang

Khe Tro Hill - where two plots of land number 407 and 629 have been illegally converted for non-agricultural purposes - is located in the Tea Island area, adjacent to Cau Cau Lake. From Cau Cau Dam (adjacent to the Ho Chi Minh Trail) to Khe Tro Hill, it only takes about ten minutes by boat. In recent years, the Tea Island area in Thanh An commune has become an attractive tourist destination, attracting a large number of visitors from all over the world.