At a time when physical distancing is a must, the scene at the Chubachhu duty-free tobacco outlet this morning is troubling. Hundreds of people lined up as early as 7 in the morning putting huge pressure on the crowd management officials.
“Initially over 300 tokens were issued a day but the number has been increasing every. It is becoming more difficult to control the crowd. We even had to increase officials on duty here. It is a huge challenge. I think people are worried that they won’t get the products. At times, people come at us and even try to start unnecessary troubles. When we explain the rules and regulations, they refuse to abide by it saying it was not there in the past. Every day a new problem pops up. Specifically today, the number of people coming in was overwhelmingly high. Still, then we are doing our part,” said Jigme Dorji, a Dessup volunteer at the site.
With the line not getting shorter and the crowd growing gradually, people became impatient and started questioning the service providers. Some of them also complained that officials are favouring their friends and colleagues over a long line of people waiting.
“Many callers are showing their frustrations with few even harassing us over the phone saying that we are not responding to their calls on time. And when we are on the phone, customers here are frustrated saying we are not paying attention to their needs and that we are busy on the phone,” said Dechen Dema, the Branch Manager at the Duty-Free Tobacco Outlet in Thimphu.
People on social media also raised their doubts about some buyers hoarding the tobacco products which might be channelled to the black market. According to the manager, most of the buyers are shopkeepers and businessmen.
“We see familiar faces every day. Many people are coming in repeatedly. Many are shopkeepers and businessmen. A teenager came in yesterday saying that he did not even have breakfast and said that he was waiting. He said that he is a non-consumer and is for his mother who is a shopkeeper. The mother had already bought her share and was waiting for her son. We have enough stock here if people try to cooperate well. We can stock up anytime,” she added.
Although customers refused interviews, BBS learnt that people from other districts also came to Thimphu for the products.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Dechen Wangmo said that crowding is not allowed and said that one should set an example for others to follow it.
“Crowding is not allowed. And I urge and appeal everyone to maintain distance and avoid crowding wherever possible. One should try to do it and inform others while you are at it. This will create a ripple effect,” Lyonpo said during the press brief this afternoon.
To ease the pressure at the location, officials are also planning to locate zones in different locations to provide the services. Over a thousand people visited the outlet since Monday.
Tshering Dendup
