Following the deliberations on the Petitions submitted by the Members and Local Governments, the House deliberated on the Action Taken Reports (ATRs) submitted by the relevant Ministries on the resolutions passed during earlier sessions.

On 2 June 2025, the Minister for Home Affairs and the Minister for Finance presented the ATRs concerning crime prevention and property tax valuation, respectively. The reports addressed strategic responses to public safety concerns and proposed amendments to address anomalies in the valuation of agricultural land under the Property Tax Act 2022.

Review of Crime Prevention and Reduction, making Bhutan a safe society 

The Minister for Home Affairs presented the Action Taken Report on the resolution aimed at preventing and reducing crime to make Bhutan a safer society. The Minister informed the House that the Ministry had undertaken several initiatives to address rising public concerns, including the installation of over 860 CCTV cameras across key urban areas, the strengthening of community-based policing through sensitization programs conducted in all 20 Dzongkhags, and the implementation of youth engagement and livelihood initiatives such as the Youth Engagement and Livelihood Program (YELP) and school-based counseling services.

Additionally, pilot programs have been launched in selected Gewogs with the establishment of Gewog Gagdeys and Child Protection Committees to test localized approaches to crime deterrence. Dedicated efforts to support crime prevention include vocational training for inmates, expansion of mental health services, and improved support for children and survivors of violence. However, the Ministry acknowledged challenges related to limited manpower, technical resources, and enforcement capacity, particularly in monitoring alcohol sales and digital platforms.

In addition, the Ministry recommended strengthening inter-agency coordination and data sharing, institutionalizing digital safety and community-based prevention strategies, expanding the role of local governments in enforcement, enhancing institutional capacity through targeted training, and reinforcing youth-focused interventions to address the root causes of crime.

Following the deliberations, Members of the House emphasized the urgent need for a comprehensive national alcohol policy, highlighting its link to rising cases of alcohol, drug abuse, violence, and crime, particularly among youth. They stressed the importance of improving service availability across all Dzongkhags and reviewing the existing cooling-off period for those who have been in conflict with the law. 

While acknowledging the Ministry’s ongoing efforts, the House called for further deliberation on the issue and directed the Women, Children and Youth Committee to conduct a comprehensive review and present a report in the following session. The House also noted that the Legislative Committee had previously written to the Ministry regarding the issue of a cooling-off period, but had not received a response. Therefore, the House directed the Ministry of Home Affairs to review the matter and follow up with the Committee accordingly.

Action Taken Report on the Amendment of  Section 19 and 20 of the Property Tax Act of Bhutan, 2022 and rectify anomalies concerning the  valuation of Chuzhing and Kamzhing

The Finance Minister presented the Action Taken Report on the resolution passed in the previous session, which recommended amendment of  Sections 19 and 20 of the Property Tax Act 2022. The resolution addressed anomalies in the valuation of Chhuzhing and Kamzhing, classification of rural land, and taxation on land contributed for farm roads.

With regard to the valuation of Chhuzhing and Kamzhing, the Minister reaffirmed a 90% tax concession for Chhuzhing to support food security and cultural preservation, while cultivated Kamzhing receives a 50% concession to promote agricultural productivity. The Ministry justified the difference based on stricter land-use restrictions on Chhuzhing but acknowledged fairness concerns and committed to further consultations.

As for Land Classification, the Minister clarified that rural land is classified based on straight-line distance from municipal boundaries to reflect potential land value. Alternative methods were found impractical, though specific anomalies may be reviewed by local authorities.

Concerning the tax on private land that that government had taken over, the Minister acknowledged that tax assessments were based on land ownership records and as long as contributed land remains under individual thrams, it is taxable. However, the Ministry expressed readiness to work with relevant agencies to ensure fair tax application.

With regard to the  amendment of  Sections 19 and 20 of the Property Tax Act 2022, the House noted that as per the Land Act of Bhutan, the PAVA (Property Assessment and Valuation Agency)  rate,  is to be reviewed and revised after every three years. The next revision is due in November 2025. Therefore, the House directed the Ministry of Finance to look into the  concerns raised in the House and submit a report in the Fifth session of the Parliament when the revision of the PAVA compensation rates would be due. 

The House also directed the Ministry of Finance to collaborate with the National Land Commission with regard to the private land used for farm roads and other public infrastructure and submit an action taken report thereof in the next session.