Indian lotteries mainly from Nagaland and Sikkim are gaining popularity in Phuentshogling town. However, it also has negative impact on the town and that is generating paper wastes.
Taxi parking near the Road Safety and Transport Authority (RSTA) office and vegetable market are two places which are noticeably littered with used lottery tickets.
Some of the locals said once the lottery has been drawn, it leaves behind a humongous amount of lottery tickets.
“The Indian lottery is drawn thrice a day. The Indian agents come here and sell their lotteries and once that is done, people carelessly throw lottery tickets elsewhere,” said a Taxi Driver, Tshering.
They also shared their concerns that it is a growing concern in Phuentshogling Thromde.
“Our lottery is drawn once a month. But Indian lotteries are drawn thrice a day. When people don’t win the lottery, they throw the tickets in open spaces and this is a concern as it makes our surround look dirty,” said a resident, Phub Tshering.
However, Phuentshogling Thromde officials said lottery draw from India was not allowed in the past.
“After the Bhutan lottery was started, the agents combine the Indian lotteries with Bhutan lottery and sell to the people, mostly our people. Our priority is we want the area to be clean. So we ask the Indian lottery agents to clean after the lottery draw,” said the Solid Waste In-charge of Phuentshogling Thromde, Jamtsho Dukpa.
Meanwhile, thromde has deployed 26 sweepers and five sanitary inspectors to clean the town. Besides working eight hours daily, they also sensitise people to keep the town free of trashes.
