Polluters in more than 100 industrial parks and craft villages caught discharging waste into the rivers of Cau, Nhue, Day and Thi Vai would be sanctioned this year under a plan drafted by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, said Minister Pham Khoi Nguyen on February 5.
The plan targets all companies without waste treatment systems. Those companies found to dump waste exceeding the prescribed levels would be heavily fined. Less serious offenders would be given a year to install their waste treatment systems.
Owners of new factories should undertake an environmental impact assessment and commit to environmental protection regulations, the Minister said.
Such serious environmental crimes as discharging waste into rivers, land and the air are becoming widespread because of not-strict-enough punishments which should be revised, Mr. Nguyen said.
In addition, a decree will be issued in March to detail land prices, land compensations and resettlement, he said.
Draft amendments to the Land Law are expected to be submitted to the National Assembly by the year end.-