Rural land violations cause waste of resources
Dr. Nguyen Minh Phong - former Head of Economic Research Department, Hanoi Institute for Socio-Economic Development Studies - said that land is a large public resource and violations in land management, especially in rural areas, are caused by land management practices.
According to him, to prevent the loss of land resources, it is necessary to increase the transparency of land use planning nationwide; continue to remove difficulties and obstacles in mechanisms and policies related to land auctions. Moreover, land valuation needs to closely follow market prices and be linked to land use planning.
Lawyer Truong Anh Tu - Chairman of TAT Law Firm - said that the 2024 Land Law with its regulation of expanding the limit for receiving the transfer of agricultural land use rights up to 15 times the land allocation limit is creating a new wind for Vietnam's agricultural sector. This is a great opportunity to develop high-tech agriculture and modernize production.
However, he also warned about the risk of speculation and illegal land hoarding, requiring strict management measures and effective monitoring mechanisms to ensure land resources are used for the right purposes, contributing to the sustainable development of Vietnamese agriculture.
Land accumulation could be an opportunity for Vietnam’s agriculture to develop, promote industrialization and increase productivity. However, according to lawyer Truong Anh Tu, if exploited by speculation, it will lead to waste of resources, disrupt planning and destabilize food security and sustainable development.
If land is not used for its intended purpose, the State agency has the right to reclaim the land. More serious cases, such as violating planning or causing great damage to the State and society, may be subject to criminal prosecution.
Need more fundamental solutions
Lawyer Nguyen Dang Tu - TriLaw Law Office said that using land for multiple purposes, especially land in rural areas, is a reality that requires additional regulations to manage and use land effectively, maximizing the efficiency of land resources.
According to him, land accumulation is not a bad thing. On the contrary, it is a necessary step to modernize agriculture, develop large fields, where high-tech agriculture becomes the foundation. But for this policy to really bring value, we need to ensure that land is used for the right purpose, large investors must commit to developing production and be responsible to society.
Most importantly, the government and relevant agencies need to closely monitor and severely handle violations to protect land resources, aiming for sustainable and balanced development.
Lawyer Bui Dinh Ung - Hanoi Bar Association said that the Land Law clearly stipulates prohibited acts in the land sector, including not using land or using land for the wrong purpose.
“Obviously, using agricultural land or land in project planning for the wrong purpose is a violation of land law. Current legal regulations clearly stipulate penalties for these acts,” lawyer Bui Dinh Ung analyzed.
This legal expert emphasized that in cases where agricultural land or land under project planning is used for the wrong purpose, in addition to the direct perpetrator, the local authorities, directly the Chairman of the People's Committee at all levels where the violation of land law occurs, must bear responsibility.
“The Land Law stipulates the responsibility of the Chairman of the People’s Committee at all levels in detecting, preventing and handling violations of the law on land management and use. Therefore, it is necessary to assign specific responsibilities to the locality and the responsibility of the head of the place where violations of the law on land occur,” said lawyer Bui Dinh Ung, emphasizing that this is one of the important solutions to protect agricultural land and land under project planning from being used for the wrong purpose.
Obviously, local authorities and leaders of People's Committees at all levels cannot be innocent when agricultural land and land planned for projects are used for the wrong purposes in the area. There is lax management, lack of responsibility, and even aiding and abetting violations.
In addition to strengthening management, supervision and sanctions, experts say that improving the law and improving the capacity of officials working in land management is also a solution that needs attention.
Besides, it is necessary to apply information technology in land management to increase transparency, efficiency and minimize corruption and negativity.
