One of the issues discussed at the 2nd Annual Workshop for Land Management Officers in Thimphuwas theSatshabor the land compensation. The officials said many people refused to accept the substitute land allotted to them. Instead, they requested for land with better value, which is not allowed.
The Secretary of the National Land Commission, Dasho Sangay Khandu, said as per the Land Act of 2007, the substitute land to be allotted should be from the same village, Gewog, or Dzongkhag. He added only in the absence of a suitable substitute land in the area, the allotment of Satshab from another location will be considered.
Another similar problem discussed was the request for land substitute for wetlands damaged by floods or other calamities.
The Secretary said that this will fall under land exchange rather than land substitution, as the government has not acquired the land from the people. He also said people should know that it is not compulsory for the government to give a land substitute in such a case.
He said only if the person has no other means of livelihood will the land exchange be considered.
