The coming of satellite town in Thangchu Goenpa Village under Samdrupcholing in Samdrup Jongkhar could strip them off their benefits, locals fear. Many of the 58 households say they would lose their gewog benefits, will not be allowed to elect local leaders, and will be levied urban taxes.
“Of the five acres of land we have, only 50 decimal falls under the thromde,” said Samdrupcholing’s Tshogpa, Jigme Tenzin. “Though our land falls under on thram, we might have to pay two different taxes.”
The 58 households had been granted land kidu of five acres each, divided into two plots, in 1992. Each household has constructed a house in their 50-decimel plot. Rest of the land is located a few meters away from Thangchu Goenpa and does not fall within the new thromde’s demarcation.
“We came to know that our land now fall under the thromde only after we got voter ID during thromde election. All of us were shocked,” said a villager of Thangchu Goenpa, Wangpo.
Another villager, Daley said they will have to pay high amount of water and electricity bills, among others. “We all are farmers.”
A few of them said their village coming under Yenlag Thromde is a lost opportunity for the younger generation to lead from the grassroots. “We have six tshogpas and we will not be allowed to vote,” said Daley. They cannot vote for local leaders. They now vote for thromde thumi.
Dzongkhag Engineer, Pelden Norgay said Thangchu Goenpa, by default, became a satellite town as it has bank, hospital, and market and is near dungkhag office. He also said the dzongkhag has no authority to change the demarcation since it has been approved by the parliament.
The local had raised the issue during the Prime Minister’s visit in October, last month.
Lyonchhen Tshering Tobgay had told them the decision taken by the parliament can be changed only by the parliament. Lyonchhen asked the people to look at the benefits the satellite town will bring about. “You have opportunities to set up businesses. You will get all the facilities of a satellite town.”
The villagers have put up a petition to Phuntshothang Gewog to identify another area near dungkhag market to be set up as a Yenlag Thromde.
