The government is expected to launch the 13th Five-Year-Plan on Thursday. This will be done at the ongoing coordination meeting between the government and the local leaders in Thimphu. In the opening today, participants discussed issues ranging from financial and procurement system to roads to irrigation and chain link fencing among others. The meeting is to bring together local leaders and central agencies for the smooth implementation of the 13th Five-Year-Plan.
According to the cabinet secretariat, the coordination meeting with the local government leaders is in preparation for the 13th Five-Year-Plan for the local leaders.
This is the first time that local leaders from across the country have gathered in one large crowd. The gathering of around 200 local leaders includes dzongdas, thrompons, thromde thuemis, gups and mangmis among others.
Chencho, the director of the Office of Cabinet Affairs and Strategic Coordination said “As we implement the 13th Five-Year-Plan, we have agreement on certain programmes that are to be implemented in partnership with the local government by the central agencies. So, after the six days workshop here at the RTC, the expected outcome is that the LGs and the relevant agencies should have clarity in terms of the plan, target, resource allocation and also the division of responsibilities between the central agencies and the local government.”
The local leaders and officials said gewogs and districts face numerous challenges and this meeting is timely.
At the meeting, each ministry makes presentation to local leaders on the budget allocation of respective ministries and the prioritised areas of allocation.
The local leaders asked the ministries concerned about issues such as the hassles related to the new property taxes and the need to make the annual financial closing to December.
Sonam Phuntsho, Drepong Gup from Monggar said “We have difficulties whereby we are told that we are not using procurement rules and regulations properly and even during tender. So, with this meeting, I am hoping we can exchange opinions and find a clarity.”
Tashi Choden, Zhemgang’s Thromde Ngotshab said “Even when Thromdes are developed, till now, our responsibilities as a Thromde Ngotshab is still vague. We have no proper ToR. So, we have difficulty taking up work. It would be convenient if there is a proper ToR.”
The six-day event will see presentation on schools and ECCDs, construction and maintenance of Dzongs and Lhakhangs, health infrastructure and services, and local government resource allocation among others.
Samten Dolkar
Edited by Kipchu
