Working in his office was never better and efficient than in recent months, says Tenzin Dorji, the Gaydrung of Phangkhar Gewog, Zhemgang. This is because his office has been connected to electricity three months ago.Tenzin’s office now boast of a computer, fax and a photocopy machine.
“Earlier, writing just a document took about an hour and then to send the document, we had to rely on transport service. Now we can send it through fax,” he remembers.
“While writing a document if we made a mistake, we had to re-write it all over again. But with computer we can rectify it immediately, so it is more convenient,” Tenzin says.
He adds that the work that took two hours earlier can now be finished within 30 minutes. “The service of fax and photocopy also benefits the public.”
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Like his Gewog, four other Gewogs under Panbang Dungkhag go the power supply. The schools of Goshing and Bjoka Gewogs are also enjoying the benefits that electricity brings. “Before the arrival of electricity, students had no knowledge of computers. They lacked exposure but now with electricity they are aware of its benefits,” says Sangay Wangdi, Teacher, Goshing Primary School.
While most of the villages got electricity, there are still few waiting for the connection. Some parts of Bjoka have not been connected as there was problem with lines stretching from Goshing to Bjoka, according to Bjoka Gup, Tshering Wangchuk. “However, the ones with connection have benefitted a lot, for instance the civil servants and the women no longer have to collect and use firewood.”
Some of the far flung villages were not connected because they have access to solar power, says Rinchen Lethro, Mangmi of Goshing Gewog.
Electrification of lower Kheng should have been completed by August this year. It will now be completed by end of this year. Difficult terrain, thick forest, lack of roads and scattered settlements were some of the reasons cited for the delay.
