The Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) launched its manifesto in Thimphu today. Developing national, rural and urban areas and addressing unemployment issues are the four key areas that DPT is seeking to focus on if it gets elected.
Of the 31 pledges under the national priorities, the party’s media spokesperson Dorji Wangdi said their main focus will be achieving economic self-reliance by 2025.
He said this can be achieved through promoting and developing hydropower, tourism and ICT projects and industrial estates including agro-based businesses.
The party says the unemployment problems will be reduced by creating job opportunities and offering better employment choices.
The party says, it has already identified different sectors, such as hydropower and agriculture, among others for employment generation.
“Around 63,000 fresh job seekers are expected to enter the job market in the 12th Five Year Plan, but we are targeting to create around 120,000 jobs against 63,000 job seekers so that they can have a choice of jobs,” Dorji Wangdi said.
Under the rural priorities, there are 14 pledges, which include connecting every village with motorable roads, providing safe drinking water and electricity.
DPT also wants to work towards enhancing people’s income through agriculture, livestock and cash crop production.
The party has 16 pledges under the urban priorities. Enhancing safety, security and happiness of the community will be the main focus under the urban priorities.
The party also pledges to provide efficient road networks, water supply, establish city hospitals, and Dzongkhag and Yenlag Thromdes or satellite towns among others.
“We are going to improve drastically the urban amenities like road networks and other urban facilities. We need to create more space for people to have leisure time,” Dorji Wangdi added.
DPT says it will also improve public transport system and solve parking congestion besides addressing housing issues.
