The people of Serzhong, Chhudzergang, Umling and Taryathang Gewogs, located across Mao River in Gelegphu, have raised the need for banking services to be opened in any of the gewogs.
The four gewogs has a combined population of around 15,000 people.
The residents said that they no longer have to visit Gelegphu for processing any official documents or for any services, accept banking. This not only results in loss of time but also additional travelling expenses.
Kharka Badhur Rai, a resident of Taraythang Gewog said, “To avail any kind of loan, firstly we have to visit BoB office in Gelegphu and then have to come back to Dungkhag office for clearance. Then again we have to visit BoB office in Gelegphu for loan approval, which takes three to four days.”
Leki Dema, a resident of Umling Gewog said that the establishment of a branch office would benefit the communities of the four gewogs.
The issue was also raised during the recent Dzongkhag Tshogdue meeting by Umling Gup.
Umling Gup Ugyen Norbu said that after the Dungkhag office was moved to Umling, the people of all the four gewogs are avail any kind of official services from the Dungkhag office. “However, the lack of banking service is causing a lot of inconveniences to the community and that is why they approached us requesting for banking facilities.”
Meanwhile, bank officials in Gelegphu said that opening a branch office is a policy matter and that they would inform their head offices and submit a report in the next Dzongkhag Tshogdue.
All banks in the country have their branch offices in Gelegphu.
Karma Wangdi
