Land: The Dzongkhag Tshogdu of Mongar decided to form  a local government committee to resolve encroachment on state-owned and private registered land.

The committee’s role and responsibilities is principally to follow up and investigate encroachment issues and to forward the matter to the committee at the dzongkhag level. The dzongkhag committee will then look into the matter and forward the case to court if necessary.

Dzongkhag Tshogdu’s Chairperson Pema Dorji, who is also the Chasakhar gup, raised the issue because it needs to be addressed urgently.

Pema Dorji said the provisions of the Act are not clear on whose responsibility it is to resolve issues of encroachment.

Ngatshang Gup Phuntsho said permanent structures on government land is an issue that needs to be resolved.

Land record officer, Ugyen Tshering said that even if a law is in place, who will implement is not clear.

In 2015, following a circular from the National Land Commission (NLC), the dzongkhag issued an order to the residents to vacate encroached land. The dzongkhag also ordered them to dismantle their homes by end of the year.

There are still 135 encroachment cases. About 86 cases involve encroachment on the government land.

Tashi Phuntsho

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