In a recent coordination meeting with local leaders in Thimphu, Gups from Punakha, Wangdue Phodrang, and Gasa expressed dissatisfaction with the implementation of regional engineering clusters for their gewogs. Amid the ambitious 13th Five-Year Plan, the local leaders said that regional engineering clusters would cause significant inconveniences and have adverse effects on developmental activities. They are urging the Royal Civil Service Commission to reconsider the current approach.
A regional engineering cluster refers to an approach where engineering resources and expertise are consolidated within a specific area.
Initiated in December 2022, the engineering sectors from Gasa, Punakha, and Wangdue Phodrang were merged under the regional engineering cluster as a pilot programme.
In the 13th Five-Year Plan, a total of Nu 72bn is allocated to local governments.
Given this ambitious goal, local leaders said that the cluster approach would lead to delays in developmental activities and complicate the delivery of essential public services.
“In our gewog, we already face challenges with human resources. Basic infrastructure is important. Extending the pilot programme further adds inconvenience for us. I see more drawbacks than benefits. While the intention for engineers to specialise in their respective fields such as water, bridges, and roads is commendable, the practical implementation raises concerns. It is unclear whether this aligns with policy, but it certainly impacts us,” said Kinzang Thinley, chairperson of Dzongkhag Tshogdu, Wangdue Phodrang.
“When one engineer is responsible for more than two gewogs, it becomes inconvenient. For instance, after reaching Lunana, the engineer may need to stay there for about a month. We can only initiate activities during the eighth, ninth and tenth months of the year, and then due to the snow season in the following months, developmental activities are halted until the fifth month of the following year. With only three months available for work, having dedicated engineers for our gewog would benefit our developmental efforts,” said Kaka, Lunana Gup, Gasa.
Local leaders from other districts also said that a single engineer often struggles to address the diverse and specific developmental needs of their communities, resulting in delays and inefficiencies in project implementation.
Furthermore, the local leaders added that if the cluster approach is expanded beyond the current pilot phase, it could negatively impact the effective implementation of the 13th Five-Year Plan.
Meanwhile, infrastructure and transport minister, Chandra Bdr Gurung acknowledged the challenges faced by the local governments.
“The Royal Civil Service Commission is reviewing this and weighing the advantages and disadvantages of this programme. They might decide on this in the upcoming weeks.”
BBS wrote to the commission on this matter but has yet to receive a response.
Samten Dolkar
Edited by Sherub Dorji
