While the government reassures that there is no shortage of essential goods, the continuous calls in the stock centre impede the operation of delivering goods at full capacity. There were incidences of hues and cries from the people in the capital when the need was not met on time.
The Thromde set up a toll-free service to cater to all calls and reduce the confusion of the residents in placing orders. People can now call the number 1009 for assistance.
People can now call the toll free number instead of the stock centres for essential items. The orders will be listed and delivered accordingly.
“Because it is very inconvenient for the stock centres to receive calls and provide service at the same time, we have set up a call centre. We have started implementing it from today. We have 10 people to receive the call as of now. Now the demands from the public will be listed at the call centre,” said Thimphu Thrompon Kinlay Dorjee.
Today, the number of call attendants was doubled.
Thrompon Kinlay Dorjee said as the lockdown continues, the number of orders from residents is soaring with each passing day, “around 350 calls on the first day in all the eight stock centres. We could supply to 40 per cent of them, be it vegetables or rice or oil. And from 2nd day, the number increased from around 300 to over 1000. It’s challenging even for them to provide the service now.”
To strengthen the delivery mechanism, the Economic Affairs Ministry in collaboration with Thimphu Thromde will facilitate delivery services from additional stores as well. People can order online or call respective stores. According to the ministry, a customer must receive the goods within 4 hours of confirmed order.
Three more LPG delivery services to the existing seven are also identified. At the same time, the ministry encourages people to use electric stoves.
Meanwhile, strict health protocols should be observed including minimum distance and use of face masks while delivering and receiving the essential items.
Samten Dolkar
