Bhutan will not be able to hold its second population and housing census this year without clear directives and resource commitment from the government.
The National Statistics Bureau was supposed to conduct the Population and Housing Census survey this year. The ground work to conduct the survey was completed in April 2013 and project documents submitted to Gross National Happiness Commission in September.
The questionnaires and manuals for the survey have been already prepared.
National Statistics Bureau’s Chief Statistical Officer, Phub Sangay said it is important to have updated statistics to get clear socio-economic scenario in the country. He said the government had no budget even though the survey was included in the 11th five year plan.
The survey is expected to cost the government around USD 3.6 M.
Prime Minister, Tshering Tobgay said there is need to do census every once in a while in the case of thromdes like Thimphu and Phuentshogling as there are large movement. Lyonchoen said in gewogs, information are available anytime, so there is luxury of not doing it once every 10 years. Lyonchhen however said the matter should be looked into.
Lyonchhen informed the NSB to get back to him immediately to discuss the budget in case NSB plans to conduct the survey.
