The Bhutanese Leading the way.
Some Local Government (LG) leaders have voiced their dissatisfaction with the 13th Five-Year Plan (FYP) budget allocation, citing disparities in the distribution of funds across different dzongkhags. During recent discussions, it was highlighted that the allocation varied significantly, with some dzongkhags receiving more resources than others.
One such concern was the allocation for the cultural sector, where Haa Dzongkhag was granted over Nu 147 million. This allocation raised questions among LG leaders, given that other dzongkhags, which host a greater number of temples, received less funding. LG leaders have formally requested a review of the budget distribution to address these imbalances and ensure a fair allocation of resources.
Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay confirmed that, although there were no complaints about the overall budget, LG leaders were concerned about the distribution of funds dedicated to heritage preservation. “They were dissatisfied with how the budget for the restoration and preservation of cultural heritage sites, managed by Zhung Dratshang, was allocated. The government has conveyed these concerns to Zhung Dratshang,” Prime Minister stated.
The government have allocated 1 billion Ngultrum to Zhung Dratshang for this purpose, and they are distributing 947 million ngultrum across all twenty Dzongkhags.
Finance Minister Lekey Dorji also commented, “Our limited resources, including block grants to Local Governments, are distributed according to a specific formula. The government does not control the allocation of funds for the restoration of Lhakhang and similar projects managed by Zhung Dratshang. When I inquired about the allocation, I was informed that Haa received slightly more funding this time due to its previous lack of attention in the 11th and 12th Five-Year Plans.”
The government has communicated these concerns to Zhung Dratshang, aiming to address and clarify the distribution of funds for heritage site preservation.
