The Prime Minister, Jigmi Y. Thinley said the issue surrounding controversial government land on which Trowa Theater stands was brought to the forefront simply to criticise and harm his government. Lyonchhoen said if the owner of the Trowa Theater was not his relative; the media would have spoken on the owner’s behalf. The owner of the Trowa Theatre is the father of Lyonchhoen’s son-in-law.
Lyonchhoen was responding to one of the questions put forward by a graduate at the National graduate orientation programmme yesterday.
The Prime Minister explained that the government leased out the land to the Trowa Theater’s owner ten years ago at Nu.2 per square feet for a duration of 30 years. “But, a few years later, the government increased the rate to Nu. 42 per square feet,” said Lyonchhoen. The increase in the rate, said the Lyochhoen, was imposed, without any basis and consultation and with the owner.
Lyonchhoen added that now it is up to the people to think carefully and see beyond what is written.
Meanwhile, the works and human settlement Minister clarified that the land was not sold to the owner of the theatre. Lyonpo Yeshey Zimba said the National Land Commission Secretariat, the pivotal office that deals with the rules of land, shall decide whether the land shall be sold or not.
The issue was earlier discussed in the National Council during the ninth session of the parliament.
