Dagana shopkeepers are blaming the non availability of timber for their inability to shift to the new town.
The decision to shift the town to a new location was made 30 years ago. The land was demarcated and plots of land allocated to businessmen to construct houses. Several began the construction work in earnest.
Then disaster struck. A massive landslide occurred at the new town site raising concerns about the geological stability. The plan was stalled.
It has since then been resolved and the businessmen all agreed to shift by last November. This has not happened. And there is no indication that this will happen any time soon.
Many of the shopkeepers are yet to begin constructing houses at the new site. They say they cannot begin constructing houses till they get timber which the government had agreed to provide free of cost, as kidu.
“When we were given land in the town, we received timber as kidu. But after the landslide all the construction works were suspended. And the timber got spoilt. Now we don’t have timber to construct our houses,” said Sonam Dorji, a shopkeeper.
The shopkeepers are blaming the district administration for not taking up the issue. The district administration however says the shopkeepers did not take any initiative either.
Wangchuk Dorji, the newly appointed Dzongrab, said “the problem could have been avoided if the shopkeepers had taken equal responsibility.”
The absence of a Thromdey Thuemi (elected town representative) is also seen as a major problem.
Lhawang Dorji, the chairman of the Dzongkhag Yargay Tshogdu (district development committee), said “one reason why the town is facing problem is because there is no one to look after the town’s affair.”
The district administration has so far not said anything about the missed deadline but the issue is likely to be taken up once a new Dzongda (Governor) is appointed.
