Land owners in Yadi under Monggar Dzongkhag are crying foul over plot allotment which was done in 2003 for the town development. Our reporter, Kuenga Tashi, says 12 plots were allotted to the people according to the plan. The plan was to develop Yadi into a satellite town.
Prior to the allotment, the land belonged to three individuals. However, they say, the whole allotment process was unclear. They say they are neither clear about the basis on which the allotment was done nor have they received any compensation. Some of them claim that they were not even consulted when their land was taken.
“We never gave our land for other people to begin construction. But they claim that they were given the permission by the government,” said Yuden, one of the three land owners. She said those people who were allotted their land were called to the Dzongkhag office and the land was distributed on lucky draw basis. “We were given priority to select the plot however with certain payment to the government.” She said they paid Nu.8245. “We paid for our own land which is very confusing,” she said. She said she even paid for excess land but got back the money as Kidu from His Majesty the King.
Another land owner, Tshewang said she has the ownership under Pangzhing but they have constructed their house. “We are just paying tax and keeping it as it is”
Chodron, yet another owner, says she thought the land was no longer under her name after 2003. “But even now, it’s there in my Thram and even in the Map, it clearly shows that it belongs to me”
Even as the land owners struggle to understand the matter, other people in Yadi who were allotted with plots have already completed constructions.
The land owners now want their land back. The Monggar Municipal had no comment. The office says it was not involved in the allotment and thus has no idea about the issue.
Meanwhile, the land commission says it will look into the matter and resolve the issue it at the earliest.
