The Lao Front has requested that the government address land disputes and compensation.

The Lao Front for National Development (LFND) has requested that the National Assembly handle land conflicts and property acquisition without development throughout the country.

According to a story in the Vientiane Times, firms have taken over significant amounts of wooded land, forbidden land, and public property without paying compensation or taxes to the government.

The land has been appropriated on several times while development projects have languished or never started.

Mrs. Khamchan Phomsengsavanh, Vice President of the Lao Front for National Development, spoke out on a number of issues during the Ninth National Assembly's Second Ordinary Session, including the issue of land acquisition.

"Some local people don't have land on which to build a shelter and produce their crops - they don't have a steady income and live in poverty," she said in her address to the National Assembly.

She claims that compensation for crop losses suffered by inhabitants in agricultural regions impacted by construction projects frequently falls short of statutory requirements, and that project owners have employed administrative authorities against locals without justification.

"For example, a land acquisition issue between the Nam Tha Bridge and Road Construction Company and about 126 people in Xiengda has been a big concern for many years in Saysettha District of Vientiane Capital but has yet to be resolved," Mrs. Khamchan remarked.

Meanwhile, she raised the issue of foreigners purchasing and selling property through Lao nominees, which has resulted in many people being deceived and caused major issues.

Mrs. Khamchan continued, "The government should properly monitor, examine, and re-allocate land in a systematic manner, as well as making reasonable steps to help in the resolution of individual land disputes."

Credit Source: The Laotian Times

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