The Bhutanese Leading the way.
The Prime Minister Lyonchhen Dasho Tshering Tobgay will be visiting 20 Dzongkhags to present the final report on the 11th plan which is drawing to a close, and also sensitize the Dzongkhags, local leaders and people on the upcoming 12th plan.
This is the first time that such an exercise is being carried out. Earlier the PM already visited 205 gewogs to share information and also learn about their issues.
Haa
The Prime Minister on 13th May presented the 11th Five Year Plan (FYP) Terminal Report and the 12th FYP sensitization report to the people of Haa.
Presenting the report, Lyonchhen explained to the people of Haa on how the domestic resources in the country has increased by 51.5% from Nu. 147.61B (10th FYP) to Nu. 223.65B (11th FYP).
He also explained to the people on the improved Gross Domestic Product (GDP) rate from 2.14% in 2013 to 7.99% in 2016.
Lyonchhen also spoke to the people on the importance of decentralization through means of Gewog Development Grant (GDG) and Dzongkhag Development Grant (DDG).
Lyonchhen congratulated Haa for their major accomplishments in areas of road connectivity through farm roads. 34 new farm roads were constructed in Haa during the 11th FYP.
Haa also increased its productivity in cereal, cash crop and diary production among others.
Lyonchhen also spoke on the budgetary allocations, educational and health accessibility, rural and urban development, and decentralization among others.
The 12th Five Year Plan‘s objective is set as “Just, Harmonious and Sustainable Society through enhanced Decentralization”. In the 12th FYP, Dzongkhags will be allocated a minimum of Nu. 300 million per Dzongkhag as equal share in addition to resources allocated using the Resource Allocation Formula and common minimum infrastructure for the Dzongkhags.
For the Gewogs, a minimum of Nu 5 million per Gewog is given as equal share in addition to resources allocated using the Resource Allocation Formula and common minimum infrastructure for the Gewogs which will be allocated.
The Local Government would work toward key result areas of gainful employment created and local economy enhanced, food and nutrition security enhanced, community health enhanced and water security ensured.
Other areas are quality of education and skills improved, culture and traditions preserved and promoted, livability, safety and sustainability of human settlements improved, transparent, effective and efficient public service delivery enhanced and democracy and decentralization strengthened.
In addition, carbon neutral, climate and disaster resilient development would be enhanced, gender equality promoted, women and girls empowered and improved and sustained livelihood ensured for the highlander.
Paro
On 15th May Prime Minister presented the the 11th Five Year Plan and the sensitization for the 12th Five Year Plan in Paro.
Speaking at the meeting, Lyonchhen explained that the progress in the 11th Five Year Plan has been much more than expected due to the combined efforts of the public’s support and hard work of the civil servants.
Presenting the status of the 11th Five Year Plan, the Paro Dzongda spoke on the concerns that Paro has on matters of teacher attrition rate, drinking water shortage, and labor shortages.
Lyonchhen explained that while teacher attrition rate is increasing, the number of teachers have also increased from 8,560 in 2013 to 9,415 in 2017. He also urged the Education Ministry to look into this concern.
On drinking water shortage, Lyonchhen explained that in the 12th Five Year Plan, water is considered an important element and has ways to ensure water security and water accessibility improvement.
He added that labor shortage can be addressed by means of improved mechanization.
Lyonchhen also reported that in the 11th Five Year Plan, health, education, agriculture, tourism, economy and decentralization process has progressed.
He talked about the medical evacuations undertaken by the Royal Bhutan Helicopter Services Limited. As of today, the RBHSL has evacuated 348 medical cases of which 8 were from Paro.
Lyonchhen also spoke on the improvements in rural life insurance schemes, loans from Priority Sector Lending and Rural Enterprise Development Corporation Limited and road accessibility amongst others.
Thimphu
In Thimphu the final Report of the 11 FYP was presented by the Thimphu Dzongda. In his presentation he spoke on the major achievements in Thimphu Dzongkhag which accounts to 22 new farm roads constructed.
Thimphu has achieved 45 of its 54 key performance indicators, with about 7 more on track.
Speaking on the 11th FYP final report, Lyonchhen said that road constructions is one of the most important means for development and reaching other amenities to the places.
He thanked the civil servants and public for their efforts which has made the 11th Plan a success.
Wangdue Phodrang
The Wangdue Phodrang Dzongkhag saw a packed hall with attendance of LG leaders and people of 15 gewogs and Wangdue Throm on 19th May.
In the 11th Plan, Wangdue Phodrang achieved remarkable achievements in the construction of farm roads. About 166 farm roads were constructed with a length of 570.79 km.
Wangdue has also black topped 14 of its 15 Gewog Center roads.
Lyonchhen congratulated the Wangdue Dzongkhag team, public and civil servants for their combined efforts in making Wangdue Dzongkhag achieve 37 of its 38 key performance indicators and with one indicator on track.
Lyonchhen also informed the people on the Rural Economy Advancement Program (REAP) which is being implemented by Tarayana Foundation and the respective Dzongkhags. The REAP plan has improved rural lives in 75 villages under 18 dzongkhags.
Punakha
Lyonchhen Dasho Tshering Tobgay, on 19th May explained about the achievements of Punakha and experiences that Punakha has learnt.
Lyonchhen informed the people on the state of improved economy in the country. He explained that there has been an increase in 55% in Foreign reserve from 770 mn in 2012 to 1,191.2 mn in 2017.
He also informed that REMIT Bhutan has reached 3.23 mn in USD as of Dec, 2017. He also explained that the rupee reserve had increased over 174% compared to 2012.
Lyonchhen explained that the economy of the country has improved and about 18,352 new Cottage and Small Industries have come up in the country employing over 84,000 people.
He added that the government is trying to focus on Rural Development which is also a vision of His Majesty. He explained to the people on ‘Rehabilitation and His Majesty’s Kidu Program’ where over 245 households have benefitted with resettlement in
Khenadang, Borangmo, Nganglam, Ney, Dewathang, Jomotsangkha and Bebji.
The meeting ended with the offering of Zhabten for His Majesty The King’s good health and continued guidance.
Gasa
On 20th May the Prime Minister was in Gasa. In the 11th FYP, Gasa has achieved remarkable achievement in the agriculture sector.
Lyonchhen congratulated Gasa for having increased their production in wheat, barley, vegetables, milk and eggs.
Gasa has also carried out maintenance for 12 irrigation channels; constructed 31 km of electric fencing; and built 236 greenhouses.
Lyonchhen also highlighted that the success of the 11th Plan would not have been possible without the guidance of His Majesty The King and the combined hard work and dedication of the civil servants and public.
Lyonchhen also made a visit to the ongoing Gasa Dzong renovation site and offered prayers.
Lyonpo Damcho Dorji, Foreign Minister also attended the meeting.
Samtse
On 22nd May Prime Minister arrived in Samtse. Upon arrival Lyonchhen offered prayers at the Shivalaya Mandir.
At the meeting Lyonchhen highlighted on how road is one of the most crucial elements in development. In Samtse, in the 11th Five Year Plan, 98 new roads of 459.8 km were constructed.
Discussions were also held on how the helicopter for emergency medical evacuation have benefitted people and how the Central Schools have complimented consolidation and is addressing the teacher shortage issue.
Lyonpo D.N. Dhungyel was accompanying Lyonchhen.
Chukha
On 23rd May the Chukha Dzongda Minjur Dorji reported that of the total 54 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Chukha has achieved 45 KPIs; 7 KPIs are on track and 2 are at risk.
Lyonchhen congratulated Chukha for its big achievements in the 11th Plan.
In the sphere of farm roads, Chukha has 89 new farmlands with a length of 503 km. Road maintenance was also part of the 11th Plan for Chukha and 358.74 km of road stretch were maintained.
Lyonchhen spoke on the five jewels in the country namely Hydropower, Tourism, Cottage and Small industries, Mining and Agriculture. He explained that these spheres have shown tremendous growth in the 11th Plan.
Lyonchhen added that the institution of Annual Performance Agreement at different levels of Ministries and Dzongkhag could measure the achievements annually and ensure objective reports to the Government.
Chukha Dzongda expressed that the Dzongkhag has learnt a lot from the 11th Plan and highlighted some areas. He said the provision of DDG and GDG budget has helped Dzongkhag in implementing non-plan activities which are genuinely required in field. He added that the supply of Boleros in gewogs have helped the LG officials in timely delivery of services.
Home Minister Lyonpo Dawa Gyaltshen also attended the meeting.
