Moving on from the Drayang business, six former Drayang owners in Bumthang are now venturing into Karaoke bar business. The Bumthang Dzongkhag Tshogdu recently endorsed the issuance of new karaoke bar licences to them, lifting the ban imposed on new licenses for all entertainment centres in the district passed in 2017. However, the licenses will be issued only to owners whose livelihoods are entirely dependent on the entertainment business.
The Economic Development Officer of Bumthang, Pema Tshomo, informed the Dzongkhag Tshogdu about the application received from the former Drayang owners. She said the Dzongkhag Entertainment Licence Committee discussed the matter after receiving applications from the Drayang owners.
“Since there is a ban on new entertainment licences as per the decision of the second session of the second Local Government, we couldn’t proceed any further. That’s why we are tabling the matter for discussion in the Dzongkhag Tshogdu.”
Most members of the Dzongkhag Tshogdu expressed the need to reconsider the old resolution given the impact of the closure of Drayangs across the country on the livelihoods of the owners. However, they want the new karaoke to be placed outside Chamkhar town where there are already three karaoke bars, three discotheques and 15 snooker halls. Today, Bumthang is only second to Thimphu in the number of entertainment establishments in the country.
“The town will become too crowded with karaoke bars if we allow the new ones to operate in the same area. So I recommend the new ones to be set up in new locations. It is also important that relevant agencies monitor them strictly after they are set up so that unlawful activities don’t occur in the future,” said Ura Gup Khandu Wangchuk.
“I think it would be better if the new karaokes are set up in the three Local Area Plans as per their choices,” the Thromde Ngotshab, Ugen Sangye said.
“Karaoke business is not a very lucrative occupation and those that are in it must generally be the ones who are trying to make a living out of it. So since there is no ban imposed on karaoke bars so far by the government, I think the Dzongkhag Tshogdu shouldn’t stop the people from earning their living,” added Chhoekhor Gup Sangla.
Some local leaders also shared that the ban on new entertainment centres in Chamkhar town has also been misunderstood and enforced in the gewogs. They said the Dzongkhag Tshogdu has to allow people to operate such places in the gewogs as well.
“We received a proposal from a youth for a snooker hall in Tang as well but due to the existing ban on new entertainment centres, he couldn’t get the licence. So it would be better if the ban is lifted in the gewogs as well,” said Tang Gup Ugyen Nima.
“If the house is deciding to issue new licences for the town area, the same should be considered for the gewogs as well,” added Chhoekhor Mangmi Kencho Norbu.
The house also discussed on where the existing karaoke bars and discotheques should be located if Chamkhar town has to be vacated by September next year. The Dzongkhag Administration in March issued a notice to the Chamkhar business community who mostly live on leased state land to vacate the town by next September.
“The ban was imposed in the past as there were too many Drayangs and karaoke bars in a small town like Chamkhar. The Dzongkhag Tshogdu members have to now decide if we are going to allot spaces for all 12 new and existing entertainment centres in the three Local Area Plans (LAPs),” said Jampel, the Dzongkhag Tshogdu Chairperson.
After a lengthy discussion, the Dzongkhag Tshogdu decided to let the new karaoke operators set up their businesses in the three LAPs. The existing karaoke bars and discotheques will be kept as it is for the time being.
Meanwhile, some owners of existing karaoke bars say that the decision to issue new licences could affect their business. They also suggested the ex-Drayang owners venture into other businesses with the monetary compensation received from the government during the nationwide closure of Drayangs. The former Drayang owners didn’t comment on the matter.
Kipchu, Bumthang
