Dakar Gewog in Kamichu under Wangdur Phodrang has issued a final notification to tharm holders and those without tharms to vacant Kamichu town area. By December end, the 14 occupants are to make way for the construction of Punatshangchhu Hydropower Project Authority II’s substation.
“We have been issuing notice to the people to vacant the land since last year. But they have not responded,” said Dakar Gup, Kencho Namgay.
Since then, the gup says, they have issued several such notifications.
PHPA has designated land substitute and compensation for structures to the seven tharm holders. While three of them collected the compensation, the rest are yet to turn up to collect their cheques.
Dakar’s Gewog Administration Officer, Desang said the three are ready to move out with the proper demarcation of the substitute land already in place.
On the other hand, one of the tharm holders, Sangay Thinley said they are not ready to move out by the end of this month. “We would like to request the government that we be allowed to stay till the construction of our new house in the new area is finished.”
Desang also said those who did not turn up to claim their compensation could be expecting more than the rates they have offered them.
Many of those who got the notification say they should be given more time to make other arrangements before they move out. Many of them are shopkeepers.
“We have older people to look after and children to bring up,” said one of the occupants, Phub Lhamo.