The Economic Affairs Minister, Khandu Wangchuk said the central government cannot revoke the Dzonkhag Tshogdu’s decision that declared Samtse as no mining zone.
Some of the places in Samtse were declared as no mining zone during one of the Dzongkhag Tshogdu meetings in 2011. But the president of Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ugen Tshechup Dorji, during his recent visit to Samtse encouraged the business community to Samtse to start mining businesses again.
“It is stated in the Local Government Act that if one wishes to start mining business, one should get the approval from the Local Government,” said Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk. He said if the local government does not approve, the central government cannot approve.
The minister also said henceforth the central government, the local government and the business people should collectively discuss and sort out the problems. “This will benefit everyone.”
