As part of an initiative to add to the town’s aesthetics, Gelephu Thromde notified all business owners in the thromde to install uniform signboards. But this was not well received by the business owners down there. Today, only a few of them installed the thromde specified signboards. As per the thromde’s notification all business entities were supposed to have uniform standard signboard by 31st December.
Most of the business owners still have the same old signboards- in different sizes and shapes. Only a few have replaced as per thromde’s notification. Gelephu thromde directed the business entities to install signboards of standard size ranging from eight by three feet to three by two feet with blue background. The notification also requires them to have uniform font size in bold in white colour for both Dzongkha and English.
“It is not convenient for us. Thromde had held a meeting in May and notified us to have uniform signboard. But everyone can see all businesses are going through a difficult situation due to the pandemic. And it is not convenient for us to replace the existing signboards,” said Ugyen Rabten, a business owner in Gelephu town.
“We spent huge amount already on the signboard we installed when we started business. Now, they are asking us to change it again within two years. It costs between Nu 9000 to Nu 10,000 for a signboard. Moreover, it is difficult to get material in the current situation. And the manufacturers also charge more compared to past years. I feel the existing signboard is good enough,” said Dal Badhur Pradhan, another businessman in the town.
Due to non-compliance, the Gelephu Thrompon Tshering Norbu said the thromde has extended deadline and all business onwers will now be required to install uniform signboard within this year. He said having uniform signboards will make Gelephu throm distinct from other throms in the country. “If businessmen in Gelephu could abide by the Thromde’s plan, it will only add to the town’s aesthetics.”
Currently, there are 625 business entities in Gelephu town.
Karma Wangdi, Sarpang
