In the hope of earning some good cash, business people from other districts have come all the way to Gelephu for the three-day Tshechu. But some fifteen of them had to return disappointed to their respective districts. The vendors planned to set up games and gambling stalls but they were not allowed to do so.
After two years of closed-door events, this year’s Sarpang Tshechu attracted over a thousand people. And it was a good opportunity for the vendors to earn a good income.
But it turned otherwise for some of them.
“Prior to our arrival, we contacted Thrompon about the space and he said we will get the space. When we asked, the Thrompon said stalls for lucky dip will be allowed adding that Mela and gambling will be not allowed. We even confirmed it a day before starting our journey and the Thrompon said it is allowed. But upon reaching here and displaying the items, we were not allowed to set up lucky dip stalls,” said Cheki Lhadon, a vendor.
“Firstly, there are no customers to buy our goods. But if we set up lucky dip, we can earn some income from that,” said Norbu Wangmo, another vendor.
But as per Gelephu Thrompon, the Thromde issued a letter stating that only restaurants, food stalls, sale of garments and religious items will be allowed. The letter states that any games and gambling-related activities shall not be allowed.
Thrompon also said their responsibility is to allocate and approve the construction of temporary space.
The Sarpang district administration said any form of gambling is not allowed as per the law.
The three-day Sarpang Tshechu ended today with the unfurling of Guru Tshengye Thongdrel.
Karma Wangdi, Gelephu
Edited by Tshering Zam
