The PM said that the government has communicated concerns of LG leaders about budget allocated for culture to Zhung Dratshang
One of the main complaints of the Local Government (LG) leaders regarding the 13th Five Year Plan (FYP) concerned the budget allocated, especially for culture, with Haa district receiving Nu. 147.1 million, the second highest among different dzongkhags, after Thimphu dzongkhag, which has an outlay of Nu. 230.4.
Answering this question during the Meet the Press yesterday (26th July, 2024), Prime Minister (PM) Dasho Tshering Tobgay said that the government had a detailed discussion on the 13th plan budget with the LG leaders, where the LG leaders raised no issue on budget. The PM said that the allocation of the budget for restoration and preservation of cultural heritage sites is implemented by the Zhung Dratshang and that the government has communicated to the Zhung Dratshang about the LG leaders’ concerns.
As of 2023, there are 2,165 total heritage sites and 38 mandirs in the country. According to the Department of Culture and Dzongkha Development, there are 264 registered heritage sites and 503 potential heritage sites. Paro has the highest number of heritage sites at 233, followed by Trashigang with 229, Thimphu with 214, and Haa with 54.
Speaking about it, Tandin Wangchuk, a businessman said that culture is at the core of every Bhutanese and that every Bhutanese and especially local leaders consider it their responsibility to preserve culture. “But there are two components here. Is the budget allocated for capital purposes or for current expenditure? If it is for current expenditure, it is fine but if budget is given for capital purposes, LGs and the government has to think a lot,” he said. According to Tandin, there have been several cases where the LGs and people could not bear the expenses of lhakhangs and offered those to the Zhung Dratshang. “I have not gone through the proposed activities of Haa Dzongkhag concerning culture in the 13th FYP and so I cannot comment. But what I am saying is that in building a new lhakhang also, there is a need for thorough study such as number of beneficiaries etc.”
Meanwhile, the budget outlay for the 13th FYP for activities related to culture across the country is Nu. 947 million. During the plan period from July 2024 to June 2029, the budget for infrastructure development is Nu. 897 million, while Nu. 50 million is allocated for softer components.
With 17 infrastructure development proposals, Haa’s budget outlay is Nu. 147.1 million, the second highest among different dzongkhags. Thimphu dzongkhag has an outlay of Nu. 230.4 million with 19 proposals, including the construction of common rooms and kitchens, toilets, renovation, installation and painting of debri, conservation and restoration of centers, and the procurement of tents for religious gatherings.
Pemagatshel, Tsirang, and Gasa dzongkhags each have only two proposals, the lowest in number. For Pemagatshel dzongkhag, the outlay for infrastructure development is Nu. 13.5 million, which includes the construction of classrooms, toilets, and bathrooms at Nganglam Yenla Dratshang and the construction of thuenchim and drupoen’s quarters at Yongla Drubdey.
The outlay for the construction of Lam’s residence at Neykhang of Gasa and major renovations of tshamkhangs at Zabsel Drupdey is Nu. 5.57 million.
In an earlier interview with the paper, the Mangmi of Lauri Gewog, Samdrup Jongkhar, pointed out that roughly only 13% of the total outlay is allocated to the eastern part of the country, with about 1.98% for the dzongkhag. Similarly, the Gup of Khaling Gewog, Trashigang, questioned the budget allocation process, stating, “There are more projects in small dzongkhags while fewer in bigger dzongkhags.”
LG leaders from Tsirang noted that their dzongkhag has only two projects and called for the ministry and Dratshang Lhentshog to reconsider the allocations. A Gup from Bumthang, which has the richest cultural heritage, said that the budget appropriation was unfair.
Officials from the MoHA and Dratshang Lhentshog explained that the outlays were made based on proposals submitted to Duetshok Drungchens by Rabdey Drungchens and respective Lams. These proposals were prioritized after a needs assessment by Duetshok Drungchens and further endorsed by Lopen Lhentshog.
The LG leaders argued that they were never consulted, stating, “LG leaders know the need more and should have been consulted on which Lhakhangs should be restored or renovated.” They also reiterated that poorer dzongkhags need more budget and that preserving culture is a tenet of Gross National Happiness (GNH).
By Sangay Rabten, Thimphu
