Housing crunch and fronting were the main issues raised by the business community of Phuentsholing when they met with the Prime Minister, Thursday evening.
Given the high rents and limited buildings in the town, many people have been forced to live across the border. Many said it is not only risky to live across the border but in the process they are losing cultural values.
BCCI representative, Phuntsho Wangdi said, to address the problem, people owning lands in new township area at Amochhu should be allowed to construct houses to rent out. He said the town development plan along the banks of Amochhu have not been implemented for the time being due to budget constraints. “Under this area, there are many privately owned lands. So if low income residents and shops could be planned on these lands, I think it could solve housing crunch,” said Phuntsho Wangdi.
The Prime Minister, Jigmi Y.Thinley, said the construction plan of residential area has already been included in the 11th Five Year Plan and the National Housing Development Corporation is working on it. “The extra thing we are adding is, if private individuals own suitable lands and are willing to construct houses to rent it out to the lower level income earners then we will help with the construction of roads and other services,” said Lyonchhoen.
For fronting cases, the Economic Affairs minister, Khandu Wangchuk, said committees from within the towns have been put in place to monitor fronting. “It has helped to some extent.” Lyonpo further solicited the support of the business community for the task.
Along with the business community, Lyonchhoen also met with the civil and corporate employees of Chhukha Dzongkhag.
He reminded the gathering about values like, relationships, and spiritualism among others, that people should remember as they advance in life.
