The need for Gyadrung or gewog clerks is resurfacing as local leaders meet for Dzongkhag Tshogdus.
Gups and other Local Government office bearers say Gyadrungs should be retained.
The Royal Civil Service Commission’s Organisational Development exercise recommends phasing out the post of Gyadrungs.
Bumthang’s Local Leaders said gewog clerks play crucial role in gewog administration. A gewog clerk, apart from drafting official letters for gewog offices also assists Gups in settling social disputes.
“The system of gewog clerk dates back to 1961. Gups, Mangmi or any other elected members leave after their tenure is complete but Gyadrungs remain. We need them,” said Chhumig’s Gup, Tandin Phurba.
Tang Gewog’s Mangmi, Dechen Zangmo said it is difficult to manage office work even with a Gyadrung. “If we do away Gyadrung’s post, things will get more difficult.
An Administrative Officer of Tang Gewog, Sonam Dendup said works like land transactions and census related issues are common and important at gewog level. “To process that, people have to meet with the gewog clerk first to write application for them and do other papers work.”
Local leaders of Wangdue Phodrang also shared similar opinions.
“Gups and Mangmis have to run around following up planned developmental activities. We also have to do some administrative works and for big gewogs like mine, it will be difficult to manage with limited people,” said Ruebisa Gup, Gyeltshen.
Following the recommendation from RCSC, the Department of Local Governance under Home ministry had started internal survey more than two months ago by sending out letters to all the gewogs asking if there is a need for a Gyadrung.
