In rural villages, many people without formal education rely on community centres for any vital government-to-citizen services. However, several communities, including Pema Gatshel’s Chongshing and Nanong Gewogs, are struggling to access these services due to a lack of facilitators. Residents are now urging the government to appoint facilitators.
Community Centres across the country aim to increase efficiency and transparency in public service delivery through information and communications technologies.
However, the absence of facilitators in Chongshing and Nanong Gewogs has disrupted essential services for over 7,000 residents.
The operator’s post in Chongshing has been vacant for over two years, while Nanong has been without one for five months.
Since last year, respective gewog offices across the country have overseen these centres, with officials attempting to manage the services themselves.
Chongshing Gup Pema Dorji said, “Sometimes, we have to attend multiple programmes and meetings at once. During such times, we are unable to provide essential services to the people.”
Chongshing Gewog’s Thongsa Tshogpa Kezang Jigme said, “When we had an operator before, services like birth registration were done instantly. Now, it takes longer. Although gewog officials provide the services but it is not efficient.”
Nanong Gewog’s Gashikhar-Tshatsi Tshogpa Gadhen said, “We try reaching out to the operators in other areas, but they are often busy with their own gewog’s work. Our services get delayed by two to three days.”
Nanong-Pangthang Tshogpa Tashi Tobgay said, “When there was an operator, people could access forms and make photocopies without delay. Today, it’s a challenge to get even basic services.”
Similarly, the community centres of the two gewogs in Samdrup Jongkhar also do not have operators. Despite the setbacks, both residents and gewog administrations remain hopeful. They urge that the posts be filled soon, acknowledging the crucial role operators play in delivering essential public services.
Thinley Dorji, Pema Gatshel
Edited by Sangay Chezom
