Vietnam - Lawmakers debate land law

VietNamNet Bridge – Revisions to the Land Law need to address shortcomings in land management and usage so that land-related complaints can be reduced, according to National Assembly deputies’ comments during the Nov. 6 discussion on the amended law.

Deputies said the revisions to the law will add to other administrative reforms on land issues and improve how public land is overseen.

All this would limit corruption and wasteful land usage, they said.

Deputy Le Van Hoang from Da Nang City agreed with other deputies that the revisions should affirm that land belongs to all citizens and the State serves as their representative.

Regulations on the draft law, they said, should eliminate inconsistencies in land use plans between different localities.

Deputy Huynh Nghia from Da Nang City said the law should outline clear procedures for revoking land, while deputy Huynh Ngoc Anh from HCM City wondered how land prices were fixed.

Deputy Hoang said land-related complaints came either from citizens who had not received reasonable compensation for their land being revoked, or from disparities in land prices decided by localities and by the State.

They wondered whether localities should be entrusted to fix land prices based on their own conditions.

Also during their discussions on Nov 6, National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung urged deputies to think hard about new amendments and supplements to the 1992 constitution.

“Revising the constitutions is a crucial task,” he said.

The draft amended constitution introduces a chapter embracing new, independent institutions including a constitution council, national election council – plus the old State auditing agency.

The draft also merges two chapters into one in some cases. Those on the national flag, emblem, anthem, the capital, national day become one chapter on “the political institution of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam”.

The chapter on “culture, education, science and technology” merges with a chapter on “economic institution”.

Delegates agreed the changes are needed to build a law-based State, to ensure people’s rights, to build and protect the country – and to be active in international integration.

They also agreed that the changes will help improve the market economy.

Nguyen Van Phuc, who has worked with a committee for reforming the constitution in 1978, 1992 and now, said institutional reform enables a country to develop in new situations.

He said a detailed report on 20 years of implementing the existing Constitution 1992 is needed before any changes are made.

He suggested clarification of such things as citizens’ fundamental rights, what constitutes public ownership – and the relationship between State agencies and local bodies.

Phuc also agreed to establish a council to protect the constitution.

Like many delegates, deputy Vo Thi Dung from HCM City suggested the constitution confirms that the State economic sector continues to play a key role in the economy.

The NA deputies are to discus ways to settle land-related complaints on Nov. 7.

VietNamNet/Vietnam Plus

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