In Samdrup Jongkhar, the Nu 65 M integrated vegetable market within the thromde area was completed last year. However, to date, some stalls, including meat shops, remain unused, raising questions about ineffective planning and the use of public resources.
The facility was designed to house both vegetable stalls and meat vendors. But a year after the completion, six meat shops still remain vacant.
Meat vendors say the stalls at the integrated vegetable market do not meet the criteria set by the Bhutan Food and Drug Authority, which is why they continue to operate from their old meat shops just a few meters from the integrated vegetable market.
“We have many refrigerators, but the space is limited. Some customers often request us to chop the meat for them, but the space at the integrated vegetable market lacks proper facilities,” said Mon Maya, Meat Vendor, Samdrup Jongkhar Thromde.
“Space is limited as we have to use up to 10 refrigerators. The space lacks proper ventilation, which can lead to overheating of the refrigerators. It has just one door, so the Bhutan Food and Drug Authority has asked the thromde to upgrade it first,“ said Ghalley, Meat Vendor, Samdrup Jongkhar Thromde.
“Earlier, we were instructed to relocate, but the Bhutan Food and Drug Authority did not allow us. The thromde has taken the requirement list of the Bhutan Food and Drug Authority, but so far, we have not moved. There should have been proper consultation before the construction,” said Tashi Dorji, Meat Vendor, Samdrup Jongkhar Thromde.
Samdrup Jongkhar Thrompon acknowledged the concerns raised and said plans are underway to rectify the spaces as per Bhutan Food and Drug Authority’s requirement.
“The plan was not made during my tenure, and there should have been proper consultation. I cannot confirm if they consulted or not during the construction phases. In this financial year, we have allocated one million ngultrum to rectify these issues,” said Thinley Namgay, Samdrup Jongkhar Thrompon.
Once remodelled, the integrated vegetable market is expected to provide spaces for both agricultural and livestock produce, making it convenient for both sellers and consumers.
Kinley Wangchuk, Samdrup Jongkhar
Edited by Phub Gyem
