The Gelephu dungkhag office could be relocated to Umling Gewog. Majority of the vote cast by the local leaders went in favour of Umling instead of Chhuzaggang. Both the gewogs are located across Mao Khola.
The Gups and Mangmis of 12 gewogs under Sarpang had cast their vote on Tuesday.
They had decided upon voting after the Prime Minister, Tshering Tobgay, during his recent visit to the dzongkhag, left it to the people to decide. Relocating the dungkhang was one of the campaign pledges of the government.
However, majority of the Gups and Mangmis of gewogs that fall under Gelegphu dungkhag are not happy with the decision. There are seven gewogs under Gelegphu Dungkhag. They said the vote was not fair and the Tshogdu just a formality.
The Chhuzaggang Gup, Sangay Tshering, said they are thinking about putting up a petition to the government. He said of the seven, four gewogs agreed to relocate the dungkhag at the center. “But Gups and Mangmis of other gewogs, who had no idea about the issue, were also allowed to vote.”
Sangay Tshering said the result wasn’t fair and that the government should look into it.
If the dungkhag gets relocated to Umling, Sangay Tshering said, it would be impossible to commute during rainy season as there is no bridge over Taklai River, which is located between Umling and Chhuzaggang.
Others feel deciding a serious matter like relocating the dungkhag should have been given more time for deliberation than just a day.