The fifth Gelegphu Thromde Tshogdu has decided to suspend issuing new entertainment business licences for the time being due to security reasons, mostly related to an increasing number of youth-related crimes. The meeting was held on November 19.
The development control and monitoring division of the Gelegphu Thromde proposed the suspension of entertainment business licences.
“The existing entertainment centres in Gelegphu are enough for now,” said Karma Tshering of Gelegphu Thromde. He said they have received a letter from the Home Ministry stating that individuals wanting to open entertainment businesses should avail of clearances not only from the Thromde but also from the Dzongkhag, Dungkhag and the police. “The Home Ministry has instructed us to limit the number of new entertainment business licences”.
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“If the entertainment license is withheld, will it not affect those individuals who have already arranged entertainment halls and staff and are only waiting for the license?”
Gyem Gyeltshen,
Gelegphu
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The Namkhaling Tshogpa did not agree with the proposal. He was one of the two tshogpas who argued that issuing licenses should not be suspended.
Tshogpa Sither Dorji of Namkhaling Demkhong said there are seven entertainment centres in Gelegphu. “Some have just opened and are not even three months; most are less than a year old. We cannot say how long the existing centres will stay open; I’ve heard that some are even on the verge of closing. I, therefore, believe that the thromde should not limit issuing entertainment licences.”
After heated debate among members, it was decided that new entertainment licenses would not be issued for some time. There are some Gelegphu residents who are not too happy with the Thromde’s decision. They feel rules should be made stricter and monitoring more regular instead of not issuing new entertainment business licenses.
