Following the former Chief Justice’s visit to the proposed site for a new Dzongkhag Court in Gedu last year, and considering the location and population of Gedu and nearby gewogs, the Chhukha Dzongkhag Tshogdu decided to construct the court there which brought joys to people in Gedu and the nearby regions.
“I put forward the agenda to construct the court in Gedu during the last Dzongkhag Tshogdu (DT). In court, we not only arbitrate on disputes but also avail other services such as marriage certificate and all. Since the court here will benefit people of nine gewogs, we supported the court at Gedu,” said Sonam Dema, the Mangmi of Bongo Gewog in Chhukha.
“People of Darla were happy to hear the DT’s resolution to construct the court here at Gedu. Darla Gewog is the most populated gewog in Chhukha. The former Chief Justice also visited the site and agreed to build the court here, so we were elated,” added Dawa Tshering, from Darla Gewog in Chhukha.
However, their dreams were shattered when the Supreme Court announced tender notification to construct the court at Tsimasham through electronic government procurement this month.
“There are only two gewogs of Chapchha and Bjagchhog near Tsimasham whereas nine gewogs will be benefitted if the court is here in Gedu. We were excited that many people would be benefitted if the court is built here. After we learnt that the court is going to be constructed at the old location, we were unhappy. We even complained to our local leaders,” said Passang Dorji, from Gedu.
The DT Chairperson says that the decision of the House should be respected.
“The DT on February 6, wrote a letter to the officiating Chief Justice with copies to the Prime Minister, National Assembly Speaker, Chairperson of the National Council and Members of Parliament from Chhukha regarding the issue. Until now, I didn’t receive any response from any of them. People have been pressurising the local leaders seeking justification on it,” said Tshering Nidup, the Chhukha DT Chairperson.
According to the Supreme Court, they will respond to the DT’s letter next week.
Today, only over five thousand people live in Chapchha and Bjagchhog gewog which are near to Tsimasham while over fifteen thousand people live in Bongo and Darla gewogs. Getana, Geling, Doongna, Loggchina and Maedtabkha Gewogs are also closer to Gedu.
Sonam Penjor
