On 20 March 2025, the Special Committee, chaired by the Leader of the Opposition, held a follow-up consultation meeting with four key stakeholders: the National Land Commission Secretariat (NLCS), the Ministry of Finance (MoF), the Department of Agriculture (DoA), and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transportation (MoIT). The meeting took place at Lhen-Zom Khangzang in the National Assembly of Bhutan and primarily focused on addressing pressing land-related issues affecting the general public.

During the meeting, the members of the special committee highlighted various cross-cutting issues related to land raised by the people in the constituencies. The issues included:

• No Construction Zones – Restrictions preventing landowners from building on their land.

• Lack of Proper Planning for Yenlag Throms (Satellite Towns) – Inadequate urban planning and lack of facilities.

• Double Taxation – Cases where landowners are taxed twice due to overlapping policies.

• Green and Red Zones – Restrictions on land use where only agriculture work is allowed while industrial and other activities are prohibited in these zones, with annual taxes imposed.

• Land Consolidation – The need for better policies to support landowners in managing scattered land holdings.

• Land Use: Permission to cultivate alternative crops in wetland areas instead of rice, specially for wetlands facing water scarcity.

• Inconsistency in PAVA rates across different land categories.

• Human-Wildlife Conflict – Challenges faced by farmers due to wildlife damaging crops and livestock.

• Concessions on Fallow Lands – Policies regarding unused agricultural land and potential incentives for cultivation.

Officials from the NLCS explained that all measures are being implemented in accordance with national policies, where landowners are provided with land substitution and cash compensation where applicable. They informed the Special Committee that a special task force has been formed to address challenges faced by landowners in No-Construction Zones. Additionally, support has been allocated under the 13th Five-Year Plan to improve planning and infrastructure such as; roads, electricity in the Dzonkhags.

The Special Committee recommended that relevant agencies consider the realities on the ground and their social responsibilities when making policy decisions. They also emphasized the importance of inter-agency collaboration, in-depth consultations, and separate sittings to address complex land-related issues more effectively.

The Special Committee, formed on 21 October 2024 under the Speaker’s directive, is chaired by the Leader of the Opposition and includes five other Members from both the ruling and opposition parties. Its mandate is to review land-related challenges and propose policy recommendations for more effective governance. The Special Committee will continue engaging with stakeholders to develop sustainable solutions for land management in Bhutan.