The Royal Audit Authority (RAA) has called attention to the Chhoekhor Gewog Administration in Bumthang for failing to deposit the service charges collected during the 2019 Cordyceps auction into the gewog’s Current Deposit account. As per the RAA’s Annual Report 2020, the gewog office did not deposit Nu 0.162 M.
Chhoekhor Gup Pema Doengyel explained the lapses were due to the agriculture and forests ministry’s order to collect an additional Nu 310 besides the usual service charge of Nu 610 per individual.
“But later, the ministry asked the gewog office to reinstate the old service charge system. And so, we were unable to deposit the money.”
He said the office refunded the excess amount to the collectors.
“We will clear the irregularities in this year’s audit report,” the gup added.
The audit report also mentioned the incomplete construction works of the two-kilometre farm road between Ngang Lhakhang and Kargang in the gewog. The road, for which works began in August 2019, was supposed to be ready last year. But as of now, only the formation-cutting is over. The laying of stone soling, installing hume pipe, construction of drains, and additional excavation works are yet to start.
Jampel Wangmo from Ngang Lhakhang said, “We repeatedly informed the gewog office to resume the works. We even submitted two complaint letters.”
Another resident, Tsheltrim, said the road is muddy even for people to use.
“The gup agreed to visit the site but hasn’t so far.”
Yeshi Nidup, who gave a part of his land for the road, said the incomplete road damaged his remaining fields. He said, “Without drains along the road, my fields are getting eroded.”
According to Gup Pema, the works got delayed as the gewog planned to lay aggregate base course on the road instead of stone soling. However, the office could not find a contractor to execute the work.
“The villagers called me several times. I assured them the road’s construction would be completed. We decided to award the remaining works as a community contract.”
Of the allocated budget of Nu 1.5 M, the gewog administration has Nu 0.917 M to complete the pending works.
Meanwhile, with the incumbent gup’s tenure coming to an end, the villagers are worried if the works would finish on time.
Kipchu, Bumthang
Edited by Sonam Wangdi
