The Zoo has not yet submitted the application to adjust the land lease decision

At a press conference on the socio-economic situation on the afternoon of December 19, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Ho Chi Minh City informed about the progress of handling difficulties and problems of Saigon Zoo and Botanical Company Limited. After a week of authorities and businesses working together on the tax debt of 846 billion VND, the Department said it had not received the company’s documents as previously agreed.

“After the Zoo and Botanical Garden fully implements the agreed contents and submits the application, the Department will coordinate with relevant agencies to submit to Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee for consideration according to regulations,” said a representative of this unit.

Talk to VnExpress, A representative of the Zoo said that as of this afternoon, the documents have been completed to prepare for submission to the Department of Natural Resources and Environment tomorrow morning. According to regulations, the application for adjusting the land lease decision must have a map of the current location. After last week’s meeting, the company coordinated with the measurement unit to make adjustments according to the Department’s instructions.

In the previous meeting, the two sides agreed that the Zoo side would review and declare in detail each area used. This includes land for business purposes such as business areas, services, games, souvenir shops…; administrative areas, offices, parking lots and land areas without business purposes such as green areas, water surfaces, lawns; barns, auxiliary areas such as warehouses, commune veterinary clinics, food processing houses, and roads.

The Zoo has contacted the unit with the function of measuring and drawing to create a map of the current status of the location, showing detailed boundaries and area of ​​the land as a basis for consideration and determination. After fully implementing the above contents, the company must contact the Department of Natural Resources and Environment to submit documents, request consideration, and submit to Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee to decide on the form of land use according to regulations.

The Department also recognizes that the management and use of land at the Zoo is of special nature, most of the land area is used for public purposes such as parks, trees, lakes, green areas, and roads. .

Previously, District 1 Tax Department issued a notice that the tax debt of the Zoo and Botanical Garden as of October 31 was more than 846 billion VND. Of which, the overdue amount requiring tax debt enforcement is more than 787 billion VND. This is the rent for public land for business purposes calculated on the entire 158,117 m2 area of ​​the Zoo.

However, this unit only spends 5,590 m2, or more than 3.5% of the total area, for service business. All remaining land is used for barns, park landscapes and non-profit public services. Recently, the company temporarily paid nearly 30 billion VND in land rent for service business.

Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Phan Van Mai affirmed that there is no way the Zoo will have to close due to tax enforcement. The city has assigned the Tax Department to research and recommend that this unit freeze its debts and stop blocking bank accounts and Treasury accounts.