It came as a big blow for the Drayang owners when the government allowed all entertainment centres in low-risk areas to reopen last month, except for their establishments. The Prime Minister’s Office was supposed to issue a separate notification for Drayangs, but they say it never came.
Due to the COVID pandemic, Drayangs have remained closed for almost two years now. The owners requested the Prime Minister several times to reopen their drayangs.
However, even today, they are still waiting for a clear written directive from the government. The President of the Druk Drayang Association, Kelzang Phuntsho, said the association appealed five times to the Prime Minister’s Office and even met with the Prime Minister. “Lyonchhen said the government will look into the matter. However, nothing has been done so far. We have requested the government to issue a clear written directive on way forward or on closure.”
“Today, more than 900 employees including the owners are living on Kidu. If the government allows us to re-open the business as usual, we don’t have to depend on Kidu,” said Sangay Chophel, the Owner of Menjong Drayang in Paro.
The Drayang Association remains hopeful that the government will allow them to operate.
“We hope that the government will come up with a positive change in the system and directs us accordingly. We expect the directive to make the operation of business convenient, boost the image and reputation of the Drayang workers and generate a steady revenue at the same time,” the president of the association added.
However, Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering said he is still not confident to re-open the Drayangs. The Prime Minister said most of the Drayangs lack government’s prescribed technical standards. The technical standards include separate entry and exit doors, dressing rooms, a two-meter distance between stage and audience, a smoking room and doing away with the request system.
A study conducted by the Department of Cottage and Small Industries in February this year showed only eight Drayangs fulfil this standard.
The Prime Minister added that the government wants to professionalize the Drayangs. However, for those owners who want to close the business, the government will provide compensation in lieu of the investments made.
Meanwhile, the Druk Drayang Association again plans to approach the Prime Minister next week. There are 61 Drayangs in the country.
Sonam Tenzin
Edited by Sonam
