Tran Van Quang, vice chairman of the Dong Nai Province Farmers Association, said relative provincial agencies August 27 received back 2,000 forms which they had delivered to affected farmers in Phuoc Thai and Long Phuoc communes, Long Thanh District to collect their opinions on whether they want to sue Vedan or accept its compensation.
He said most of farmers accept the compensation and do not want to sue Vedan, only six said they want to.
About 4,000 forms would be delivered today to farmers in Phuoc An and Long Tho communes, Nhon Trach District, he added.
The province’s Department of Natural Resources and Environment sent August 27 an official letter to the provincial People’s Committee to suggest rates for dividing the compensation among affected farmers in line with the figure in the assessment by the Institute for Natural Resources and Environment, in the case farmers take the compensation.
According to the suggested rates, Nhon Trach farmers will receive VND89 billion, and Long Thanh farmers will get over VND30.7 billion.
While Ho Chi Minh City and Ba Ria – Vung Tau signed compensation agreements with Vedan on August 13, Dong Nai remains uncertain.
By August 16, nearly 5,000 affected farmers denied as victims of Vedan and over 3,000 lodged complaints against Vedan with the local court.
Dong Nai authorities had to organize a closed meeting to discuss the case on August 16, and after the meeting they decided to collect farmers’ opinions about Vedan’s compensation.
If Dong Nai farmers agree to the compensation, then they must stop their lawsuits.
S.T.W