The Bhutanese Leading the way.
The Member of Parliament (MP) Lhaba Lhaba from Khatoed Laya constituency raised a significant motion in the National Assembly regarding the inconvenience and hazards caused by the presence of electrical lines and poles on farmlands.
The motion emphasized the disruptions to farming activities, extensive crop damage, and financial losses suffered by farmers. Additionally, the Member highlighted the safety risks posed by fallen poles, which endanger farmers, livestock, and local communities, particularly in areas frequented by children.
The Member put forward two key recommendations to the House:
Relocation of High Tension Electricity Towers: The recommendation calls for moving high-tension electricity towers from densely populated areas to safer locations.
The other was government funding for relocation and compensation and providing compensation or land replacement for private landowners where relocation is not feasible.
He stated that the establishment of the power sector has been instrumental in driving economic development and improving livelihoods. Despite these benefits, the recent incidents of fallen electrical poles and wires in farmlands have exposed critical flaws in the infrastructure. These issues necessitate immediate attention to prevent further disruption and hazards.
Fallen poles and wires severely disrupt farming activities, resulting in crop damage and loss of income for farmers. The fallen electrical infrastructure poses significant safety risks to farmers, livestock, and community members. The risk of electrocution and accidents is particularly high in areas where children play or livestock graze.
The Social and Cultural Committee of the National Assembly has consistently brought these issues to the forefront, urging the government to revise policies to genuinely benefit affected individual.
MP Namgay Wangchuk from Lingmukha-Toedwang also supported the Committee’s recommendations, highlighting the necessity of electricity for new government projects and the resulting encroachment on private lands.
He pointed out that fenced electric poles reduce cultivable land and criticized the unclear compensation schemes. He also said that transmission lines in wetland areas pose additional risks and argued that the Bhutan Power Corporation (BPC) should take the initiative to shift poles or compensate farmers.
Similarly, MP Harka Singh Tamang, from Gelephu constituency said that the issue is widespread in rural areas and criticized the government and contractors for not taking initial responsibility. He highlighted the government’s failure to monitor contractor work, leading to deviations from designed maps.
Meanwhile Lyonpo, Gem Tshering, Minister for Energy and Natural Resources, recognized the problems and asked for a year to investigate and resolve them under his guidance. Speaker Lungten Dorji instructed the Ministry to report back on their progress during the winter parliamentary session.
The House endorsed these recommendations with 33 votes in favor, 6 abstentions, and 3 votes against, out of 42 Members present and voting.
