In villages, as elsewhere, people feel maintenance of the farm road is the sole responsibility of the government especially the gewog administrators. No matter how terrible the road might be villagers are never inclined to think that it’s their social responsibility to take care of the roads. However, it is entirely a different scenario in Kangpar Gewog, Trashigang.
Villagers from Madeywa village in the gewog have formed a farm road user group to repair the farm road. They construct drains along the roadsides, clear debris and bushes, and ensure that the road is ply-able throughout the year. The group has 100 households and each of them is obliged to contribute their labour.
“We clear minor road blocks and it has benefited all the villagers here,” said Tshering Phuntsho, a farmer in Kangpar Gewog.
According to Local Government members of Kangpar Gewog, due to lack of gewog fund, villagers were asked to form group to carry out the repair works.
“Villagers are trying together to maintain a better road. If anyone is absent from the work, the absentee has to pay Nu 300 as penalty,” said the Tshogpa Wangda.
The farm road user group was established four months ago. It has been repairing the road without asking a single penny from the gewog administration. There are two other groups with similar responsibilities in the gewog.
