History
Until 1956, Bhutan had nine provinces headed by the penlops: Byakar (centered in present day Bumthang), Dukye, Haa, Paro, Punakha, Dagana, Thimphu, Trongsa, and Wangdue Phodrang. Later, the country was reorganized into dzongkhags. Under the initiative of fourth Druk Gyalpo King Jigme Singye Wangchuk, the process of decentralisation of local administration started in 1981. the formation of the incipient Dzongkhag Yargye Tshogchung (district development committee, "DYT") in each dzongkhag. The DYT of each dzongkhag consisted of all the Gups (headmen), Mangmis (deputies), and Chimis (National Assembly representatives) of the dzongkhag. The Chairperson is elected from the DYT members by themselves. The DYT may also include the representatives of the municipalities and the towns within the dzonkhag. The DYTs also have non-voting members, which include the dzongdag, the dungpa (where a dungkhag exists) and the dzongkhag officials from various sectors such as the dzongkhag planning officer, the dzongkhag finance officer, the dzongkhag education officer, the dzongkhag chief engineer, the dzongkhag agriculture officer, the dzongkhag forestry officer, the dzongkhag animal husbandry officer, and the dzongkhag health officer.
In August 1987, the territory of Gasa dzongkhag was divided between Punakha and Thimphu; Chhukha dzongkhag was formed by merging the parts of Samtse, Paro, and Thimphu. In 1992, Gasa dzongkhag was re-established and carved out from Punakha; the same year, Trashi Yangtse dzongkhag was carved out from Trashigang.
Under the Dzongkhag Yargay Tshogdu Chathrim of 2002, dzongkhags were already headed by Dzongdags assisted by a Dzongrabs (deputy district collectors) in carrying out the administrative activities the dzongdag. The dzongkhag administration coordinated all developmental activities within the district. Under the DYT, Dzongkhag Yargye Tshogchungs consisted of people's representatives and government officials in the dzongkhags that assisted the dzongdags in the discharge their developmental activities. A dzongdag was also assisted by the Gups elected from constituent gewogs.
The Constitution of 2008 laid basic provisions for an elected Dzongkhag Tshogdu (district council) in each dzongkhag. It further codified the appointment process of dzongdags and the role of Dzongkhag Courts within the judicial system of Bhutan.
Read more about this topic: Dzongkhag
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