SARPANG CELEBRATES HM’S BIRTHDAY

Posted in | 11:24 PM

Written by M.B. Subba, Gelephu    
Feb 23, 2009: The people of Sarpang celebrated the 29th birthday of His Majesty the King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck with the minister for information and communications Lyonpo Nandalal Rai in Gelephu.

They expressed happiness over the presence of the minister, who hails from the same dzongkhag, as the chief guest at the celebration. Branding him as the son of Sarpang a retired civil servant from Sarpang, Somraj, said the minister made him proud. “I came to the celebration because I heard that our minister was the chief guest,” he said to Bhutan Today.

“I am to have very happy to mark this day in the history of Sarpang,” said a farmer from Surey, who came to witness the occasion. “He is our minister.”

The minister said that he was honored to celebrate the joyous occasion after democracy was formally introduced in the country. Speaking at the occasion, he urged the people to renew their commitment to fulfill aspirations of democracy. 

“This day is important to renew our resolution to work extra hard to make democracy successful. We say our country is different. We have to work from now to make a difference and we should start from today,” he said. 

Various schools and local communities of the dzongkhag presented cultural programmes followed by the march past to mark event. 

Reflecting the cultural diversity in the country and dzongkhag, folk dances from different local communities including the Lhotsham dances were performed.

Mask dances were the prominent feature of the celebration as usual. 

The Dungkhag officials including the Dungpa, Dasho Tinzen Thinley, the monk body, various sector heads and the people of Gelephu received the chief guest in a Chipdrel ceremony. Local leaders including the Gup, Mangmis and public were present. 

Senior officials from the ministry of information and communications accompanied the minister.
Source: Bhutan Today daily 

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Three SAARC agricultural pilot projects for Bhutan

Posted in Labels: | 11:20 PM


19 February, 2009 - If successful, it could revolutionise Bhutan’s agriculture sector.  In India, the Green Revolution gave a boost to the agriculture sector, when high-yielding varieties of seeds and increased use of fertilizers and irrigation was introduced.

Although Bhutan is not exactly doing what India did, it is on the same track but on a much smaller scale. Three pilot projects will begin in Bhutan by mid-2009: 
• Shuttle breeding on pulses for development and identification of high yielding varieties for pulses for SAARC member states; 
• Rooftop rainwater harvesting structure at Zumbabee village, Chuzagang, Sarpang; and
• A seed-testing laboratory in Bhutan.

The shuttle breeding on pulses will be a research project and the seed-testing laboratory set up either at Bajothang in Wangdi or Yusipang, Thimphu.

These projects are a follow-up to the commitments made during the 14th SAARC summit, New Delhi, after India’s proposal for agriculture sector development.  This proposal resulted yesterday in the signing of three memoranda of understanding between India and Bhutan.  It was signed between the acting foreign secretary Daw Penjo for Bhutan and the Indian ambassador to Bhutan Sudhir Vyas for India.

The reason for choosing Bhutan as a location to carry out these pilot projects, said the director of SAARC division, foreign ministry, Sonam Tshewang, was because Bhutan and India have a tried and tested relationship and cooperation.

“For Bhutan, these projects not only mean gaining some very much needed expertise and equipment, but we’ll also be able to share the experience with other countries,” said Sonam Tshewang.  “It will sort of complement our own ongoing research on cereals.”

He said that, through this project, Bhutan will be able to get some invaluable expertise and sharing of information from the renowned Indian institute of pulse research in Kanpur.  “This opens up another door for us to access their technology and knowledge.”

The Indian government will provide the initial finances and training facilities, while Bhutan will provide the infrastructure and manpower. “It’s my hope that these projects, although small in scale, will have far reaching benefits to the people of Bhutan and be a model for south Asia,” said the Indian ambassador Sudhir Vyas.

By Sonam Pelden
spelden@kuensel.com.bt

Photo: GREEN EXCHANGE – Indian ambassador to Bhutan Sudhir Vyas and acting Bhutanese foreign secretary Daw Penjo at the signing of the MoU

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SLOW REACTION TO REGIONAL EMPLOYMENT OFFICE

Posted in Labels: | 2:33 AM

Written by M.B. Subba, Gelephu 
Feb 13, 2009: The Gelephu Regional Employment and Labour Office have received a lukewarm response from the youth, with just 20 job seekers having registered for employment in the last two months.

According to the head of the regional office, Chimi Wangmo, none of them have been employed by any organization.

The tepid response from the youth may be because they are unaware of the facility. “May be they do not read news papers or do not watch television,” she said.

The office was established on 20 December 2008 by the ministry of labour and human resources as part of the commitment of the Royal Government to enhance service delivery to general public by taking services closer to the people.  

The office provides various facilities like facilitation and job placement assistance, employment counseling and labour market information to the unemployed youth. The office has a separate board where jobseekers can read vacancies available across the country. Other facilities include on-the-job training schemes like pre-employment engagement and apprenticeship training programmes. 

Employers can send vacancies to be listed by fax to the office so that they can look for potential candidate.

In order to create awareness among the youth, the regional office will be conducting campaign in the six dzongkhags that fall under its region including Sarpang and Tsirang very soon.

Most of the Gelephu youth are unaware that such an office exists there. “I didn’t know of  such a facility; I would have loved to make use of it,” said Nim Tshering. 

The location of the office may be a problem, some students say. The office is located at Sethikharey, which is outside the town. This may be the reason why youth don’t visit it.

A young girl, who has just passed her class XII, said that as a resident of Gelephu, the facilities that the office provides are very useful and she doesn’t have to spend money to go to Thimphu seeking employment.

However, students have started thronging in the office after the school results were declared recently.

“Now they have started pouring in,” said the labour officer, Chimi Rinzin.

Most of the youth who come seeking jobs are either class X or XII pass-outs.  He added that even graduates are coming to seek help now.

Source: Bhutan Today

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Gaylegphug

Posted in Labels: | 2:24 AM

Gelephu (previously spelled as Gaylegphug) geog (also called block) is located at the centre of Sarbhangg district. The Geog has a total area of 53.6 square kilometer. It has 7 chiwogs and eight villages with 412 households currently. Some of the villages include Lodrai, Mainatar, Purano Basti, Samitar and Lakhitar. Historically, Gaylegphug was called Hattisar, where stands today southern Bhutan's one of the major commercial hub due to its proximity with India.  

Gaylegphug was district headquarters until 1988, thereafter shifted to Sarbhang. Since then Gaylegphug remains the sub division or Dungkhag.

According to the government statistics, 80 percent of the geog is covered by forests. The major crops grown in are paddy, maize and millet and cash crops like orange. This block has 1535 males and 1405 females (excluding those evicted in 1990 and including those resettled in south after 1998). 

The block lies under Gelephu Constituency and has only three polling stations for 1058 male and 927 female voters. 

It has 14.5 km long irrigation channel, 2.5 km farm road and 8 km feeder roads. Despite being a suburban area, only 150 households in the block have telephone lines. 415 houses in six of the villages have electricity facility. There are six RWSS centers serving 452 households.

1928.42 Acres of land in the block is dry while 1034.64 Acres is wet. Tsheri culture is practiced in 22.48 Acres and Orange Orchard spawns in 4.70 Acres of land.

With the government initiatives to established an airport in the block and developing the bazaar into a special economic zone is likely to boost the economy of the block in short period. 

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Lalai

Posted in Labels: | 2:19 AM


Umling (previously called Lalai) block is sandwiched between Chuzagang and Taklai blocks. It has eight Chiwogs with 406 households. Villages include Bahunitar, Gobretar, Gurung Danda, Chisapani, Katusey Bista Danda, School Danda, Lalai Dhap, upper Dhap and Lankhar. Most of these names have been changed by the government after 1998 to delete the traces of Nepali speaking settlement in the block. 

The total area of the gewog is 122 Sq km with total population of 2856 (excluding those evicted in 1990 and including those resettled in south after 1998) including 1453 males. It has flat and fertile soil which is feasible for the growth of all crops and all kinds of farming. 82 percent of the land is covered by forest. 

Gelephu is the election constituency and the block has three polling stations for 896 male and 905 female voters.

It has 31.5 km of irrigation channel, 10 km of farm road and two bridges. Only 20 households have telephone lines and all households in the block have electricity facility. There are eight RWSS centers to serve the whole population.

According to government records, 1054.41 Acres of land is dry and 617.02 Acres wet. Tsheri is practices in 6.18 Acres, Orange is produced in 91.52 Acres and Cardamom in 21.48 Acres. 

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EFFECT OF CONNECTIVITY

Posted in Labels: | 11:42 PM

Written by M.B. Subba, Gelephu    
Feb 07, 2009: Harka from Patelay carried salt and other edible items from Sarpang on his back some 35 years ago.

Now he cannot imagine walking even to Damphu, because there is a bus service available. He will wait at Tsirangtoe, from where he can  avail bus service to Damphu, the capital main trade centre for the people of Tsirang. There, if the bus or taxi does not come, he will return home.

A couple of decades ago, there were hardly any people who knew what a taxi or a bus was, but now there are more than 15 taxis in Damphu. The people have become so habituated that they cannot thibnk of walking a distance of even one kilometer.

“I have been walking this village to Damphu for more than 40 years but today I cannot go town without a taxi,” said a farmer of Gosaling Gewog. He used to carry all the necessary goods to his home including the salt.

The first taxi was a Maruti Van. The ‘Mahindras’ and others came later. The villagers call the vans ‘taxi’ while the other taxis are known as Bolero and Alto, according to whatever brand the vehicle is.

The introduction of the taxi services has been very useful to the farmers as they can easily transport their products to the market for sale.

Yeshey, a civil servant, said that the people’s preference for hiring taxis is increasing. “The times are changing with a rapid pace, and the drivers also have to keep up with the times” he said.

There are, however, more than the required number of taxis in the town.

There are instances of drivers fighting for the limited number of passengers of the dzongkhag.

Observers feel that the number of taxis in the town is in accordance with the requirement of the time. Due to the introduction of taxi services, farmers have started vegetable cultivation at the commercial level.

Source: Bhutan Today daily

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MP STARTS CONSTITUENCY VISIT

Posted in Labels: | 11:31 PM

Written by M.B. Subba, Gelephu    
Feb 06, 2009: One and a half kilometer of irrigation canal will be built during the tenth five year plan by the government in Gelephu, Nu.900,000 has been allotted for rural water supply scheme, and Nu.300,000 has also been allotted for the construction of a Hindu Temple in Gelephu, said MP Prem Kumar Gurung to the people of his constituency yesterday.

Gelephu MP Prem Kumar Gurung started his constituency visit from Gelephu Gewog to inform the public about the decisions made during the second session of the of the first parliament and highlighted the government’s plan for the tenth five year plan.

The important developmental activities include the canal, for which Nu.2 million has been allotted by the government. Nu.200,000 will be utilized during the current period in Purano Busty.

Development of cash crop, land management, animal husbandry development, and forestry developments were some of the highlights of the meeting. 

Gelephu, in absence of a proper Gewog at present, will get Nu.15, 00, 00 during the plan period, he said.

The MP also urged the business community and the general public for registration of party membership to raise party fund. He informed that DPT has target of more than 10,000 members from Sarpang Dzongkhag. “We cannot survive with out funds,” he said.

Security clearance and census problem captured public attention at the meeting. The MP said all efforts are being taken to give an early end to the prolonged problem. “It will be solved soon,” he said.

Regarding the census problem, the Gelephu gup pointed out that it caused a lot of problem during land registration and transaction. A resident who wished for anonymity said that such classification of citizens on the basis of form one to seven caused inferiority and superiority complex even among the family members. 

People expressed happiness that the problem was addressed in the parliament for the first time after more than 18 years. “We are very happy to hear that our new government has promised to bring all its citizens one rule of equality,” said DB Subedi.

People also requested that the landless people be granted land kidu.

The constituency visit of the MP is likely to be more heated as he will be visiting the four geogs, which are isolated by Maokhola. The people of four geogs are likely to raise questions about the promise of DPT to construct bridge over the river.

Source: Bhutan Today daily

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MPs assure people of development in Sarpang

Posted in | 9:32 PM

Gelehu, February 05: National Assembly members from south take up the agenda for development in southern districts, which was stalled after mass eviction in 1990s.

The NA member elected from Sarpang district, who is currently in visit to his constituency, assured people that the district will see series of development activities during 10th five year plan. 

MP Prem Gurung visited Sersong and Gelephu this week to inform people about the projects in 10th plan, recently approved by the government – delayed by a year, and important decisions taken during the second session of the parliament. 

He also briefed the issue of No Objection Certificate (NOC) to southern Bhutanese and deregistration from census citing reasons such as supporting the democratic movement in 1990 for which the government has form a ministerial committee to look into and expressed hope that development will be positive.

According to information given by Gurung during his meeting with people, government plans a bridge in Mau River, improvement in cash crop production, more irrigation channels, roads and electricity to Raidanda and Guang and opening new schools beside those closed since 1990. 

He said the government has taken steps for construction of a domestic airport in Gelephu, where an international airport was proposed earlier. Gurung expressed hope that airport in Gelephu would help develop the district as popular tourist destination. 

Few days back, other Sarpang MP and Minister for Information and Communication Nanda Lal Rai visited Gelephu and assured local people that government will go ahead with construction of airport here. Airport is expected to boost local economy and address unemployment problem to a certain extent.
Source: APFAnews.com

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Her Majesty the Queen Mother Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck returns after advocacy tour to Sarpang

Posted in Labels: | 9:30 PM

February 4: Prior to her departure to Thimphu this morning, Her Majesty the Queen Mother Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck visited the Jigmeling police training centre and met with the staff, the trainees and their family members to create awareness on HIV/AIDS, family planning and reproductive health.

The programme officer from the Health Ministry Dr. Gyembo Dorji asked the gathering to help prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS in the country. He said it is the responsibility of every citizen to combat the spread of the virus.

The meeting also saw discussions on the importance of family planning, reproductive health, cervical cancer and the importance of undergoing pap-smear. 

On Tuesday evening, Her Majesty the Queen Mother met with the Multi-Sector Task Force (MSTF) members in Gelephu. 

The Dzongkhag MSTF coordinator presented the annual progress report for 2007-2008. He also highlighted the plans and programs to control HIV/AIDS through various programmes in the future.

Health officials urged the MSTF members to help promote condom use, educate people on the risks of casual sex and sex with multiple partners, Dr. Gyembo Dorji, the programme officer from the Health Ministry said MSTF is also planning to launch a web site to counsel and share information about HIV/AIDS, not only for the general public but also among HIV/AIDS infected people.

Source: BBS

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Man shot in Sarpang

Posted in Labels: | 10:26 PM

6 February 2009
A man in Leopani, Sarpang, was shot in the neck and stomach by miscreants from across the border on February 2.

Gautam, an Indian national in his thirties, was shot at thrice. Two shots hit him while one misfired.

Gautam had been kidnapped a month ago and kidnappers demanded a huge ransom for his release.

According to sources, his elder brother went to pay the ransom when the incident happened. Six Indian kidnappers shot the victim as he was being released. His brother escaped unharmed.

Gautam was a labour contractor working for Rinson Constructions in Dagana. The Jaigaon resident from Cooch Behar was responsible for bringing labourers from India.

The miscreants are still at large.

This incident happened exactly one month after four foresters were killed in Sarpang. Militants of the Communist Party of Bhutan based in Nepal were suspected to be behind the bomb blast and attack.
By Phuntsho Wangpo in Bhutan Observer

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National RNR Research Program Workshops for Sarpang

Posted in Labels: | 10:46 PM

The Council for RNR Research of Bhutan (CoRRB) of MoA successfully organised the Annual National RNR Research Program Workshops from 26-28 January 2009 in Sarpang Dzongkhag.
 
The workshops had the following objectives:
 
To review both the completed and on-going activities of the all National Research Programs (2008-2009).
To plan and agree on future work plan (2009-2010)
To present and peer review the research findings.
To screen and identify papers for publications.
To identify proven technologies for offer to extension and farmers.


The workshop was opened by Dr. Tashi Samdup, Director of CoRRB. The workshop was attended by about 100 participants mainly representing the four RNR RCs and other central and regional programme/agencies under the Ministry of Agriculture.
 
Though these workshops have been regular annual events since the last decade, this year it was quite different. The workshops of the four Research Programmes which were in the past held separately at different times, dates and venues were held parallel at the same time and in the same areas so that if necessary the participants could attend all the sessions.
 
However the opening and closing sessions were held together in a plenary.
 
One of the perceived merits of this new format is the possible reduction in the monetary cost, which the Government wants to pursue. This format is also an effective way to use time and human resources.

In picture above: Director of CoRRB, Dr. Tashi Samdup, opening the workshops.

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EARLY END TO A PROLONGED PROBLEM

Posted in Labels: | 9:44 PM

Written by M.B. Subba, Gelephu
   
Feb 03, 2009: The minister of Information and Communications (MoIC), Lyonpo Nandalal Rai discussed the security clearance and census issues at a public meeting held in Gelephu. Lyonpo informed the gathering   that a subcommittee was formed to sort out and bring an early end to the prolonged problem. The problem has haunted the people of southern Dzongkhags for more than 18 years. 

“An amicable solution to the problem will pave the way for equal opportunities in the employment market and ensure fundamental rights for all citizens in the country,” he said.

 Discussion on the issue came at the right time, when many students are suffering for mistakes of others, and for an incident which they are not properly aware of.

“Government is talking about the unemployment in the country but when some are not given equal opportunity, what they will do?” said a resident of Gelephu. He added that such restrictions would demoralize the youth and could make them resort to crimes which may result in the waste of potential human resource in the country.    

At the Druk Phunsum Tshogpa (DPT) coordination meeting, the minister expressed his determination to deliver what was promised to the people during the campaign. 

With the first year of the tenth plan almost coming to a close, the minister said lack of funds delayed the implementation of the development plans. “But It is not that we will perform now, we are performing already,” he stressed, in response to the public concern that projects such as Gelephu Airport was delayed.

Communication will be one of the priorities of the 10FYP for  MoIC.  Sarpang  dzongkhag has some of the  remotest villages because of the difficulties posed in connectivity  by   Mao Khola. People present at the meeting demanded that the government build a bridge and connect the four geogs with a population of more than 10,000 people who   have been resettled in the area as part of the government’s resettlement programme. 

A prominent businessman in Gelephu, Gyaltshen Babu, reported to the minister that the roads in Gelephu were in dire need of maintenance as they were getting worse every day. The minister, however, said that the maintenance of roads is looked after by National Work Force (NWF). 

Non-performance by the government has put the party workers at an uneasy situation according to Druk Phunsum Tshogpa (DPT) Dzongkhag Coordinator, D B Sebedi. “People come to party office and complain that government has not done anything significant even after so long,” he said. 

The public meeting was attended by officials from the department of civil aviation, road safety and transport authority and MPs from the area.

Source: Bhutan Today

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SARPANG ZANGDO PELRI INAUGURATED

Posted in Labels: | 9:32 PM


Written by M.B. Subba, Gelephu

Feb 03, 2009: Her Majesty the Queen Mother Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck inaugurated the Sarpang Zangdopelri Monastery yesterday. Her Majesty the Queen Mother was received in Chipdrel ceremony by the minister for information and communications, Lyonpo Nanda Lal Rai among other officials from the capital.

Sarpang Dzongda Dasho Sangay Thinley, Gelephu Dungpa Tenzin Thinley, Gelephu NA member Prem Kumar Gurung, Sarpang NC member Karma Donnen Wangdi and other officials were present at the inauguration ceremony.

The Monastery, which is located about a kilometre from Sarpang Dzong, is a beautiful monument in the dzongkhag. People from all walks of life gathered to attend the inauguration ceremony. Sarpang Monastic Body along with the Lam Neten presided over the consecration ceremony.

Her Majesty the Queen mother served lunch for the people gathered at the inauguration ceremony.

Her Majesty also met the armed force personnel and their family members to raise awareness on HIV/AIDS on 1 February and advocated the importance of under going pap-smear tests and family planning. Her Majesty is on a four day advocacy tour in the dzongkhag.

The inauguration ceremony was followed by cultural programme by the dzongkhag dancers.

Source: Bhutan Today

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Sarbhang stories

Posted in | 2:03 AM

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GELEPHU AIRPORT NOW A REALITY

Posted in | 10:23 PM

Written by M.B. Subba, Gelephu    

Feb 01, 2009: The long awaited Gelephu airport project is likely to materialise within six months from now, after the minister of information and communications, Lyonpo Nandalal Rai pushed forward the government’s determination to start the project during his site visit on 29 January.

“The project is nearing reality,” said the director general of department of civil aviation, Phala Dorji. “The department will begin the groundwork like demarcation of land boundary, acquisition and fencing six months from now,” he added.

He said that the feasibility study is almost complete and survey of the site and gathering of equipments and other materials will begin soon.

The government is determined to perform what it has promised to the people. The minister said that the government will move forward with its plan to construct the airport without paying attention to views of the people and experts.

“We can’t always listen to the expert suggestions, we have to take our own decision in the end.  We must get a move ahead,” the minister said.

The minister tried to convince the people that the government and the respective ministry was doing what ever was possible to accomplish what they had promised during the elections.

Since the project will be covering an area of up to 840 acres, forest land has to be cleared, according to visiting officials from the department of civil aviation. However, the government will consult with NEC on this matter.

The director general said that the fund for the project will be decided after the master plan has been completed. He said that there is already Nu.6 million in hand for construction of basic facilities like runways and terminals. According to him, basic facilities like runways and terminals and fencing can be completed within two years.

In order to accelerate the project the government is likely to divert some of the 
Paro airport fund to the Gelephu airport. The minister said that the government, if necessary, will do it.

The DG also added that the Gelephu airport will be a better site than the one in Paro, given its geographical features. Gelephu airport will have a 4000 metre long runway, almost double to that of the 2200 metre in Paro airport. 

It will have a 45-metre wide runway with the terminals at least 500 meter away from the runway, according to the department of civil aviation. Officials say that a parallel runway can be constructed in future when it will be upgraded to international airport.

However, they ruled out the possibility of covering Indian air space while it is a  domestic airport, as it is illegal. High level diplomacy has to 
be involved if it covers the Indian air space when it becomes international.

According to Captain Karma Dupchu of Druk Air, the present site is very promising and one of the best possible sites available in the country. “But it is not an ideal one either, given the mountain terrain and site facing the Indian border.

Acquisition of land for the airport may prove to be difficult, with people demanding market rate as compensation for their land, which is likely to exhaust government resources.

The value of land at the airport site has shot up in the recent times, to an all time high of Nu 25, 000 a decimal.

The minister said people would be given compensation in cash or land. The Dzongda suggested that the people whose land will be taken may be relocated to  Mao Gaon and Tarithang.
(Source: Bhutan Today daily)

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