Lyonchhen Dasho Tshering Tobgay went to six more Dzongkhags as part his 20 Dzongkhag tour to present the final report on the 11th plan and sensitize the people for the 12th plan. With him already completing 8 Dzongkhags earlier in May the total number of Dzongkhags he has gone to is now 14.
Bumthang
Presenting the 11th Five Year Plan final report and 12th Five Year Plan sensitization to the people Bumthang, Dasho Tshering Tobgay, Lyonchhen on 1st June expressed his joy on Bumthang having achieved all its targets for the 11th Plan. This means, Bumthang Dzongkhag has no spillover projects for the 12th Plan.
Presenting the report, Lyonchhen said that road connectivity and accessibility has been a priority for the government as access to road means, access to other basic facilities and the start of development.
In the 11th Plan, Bumthang Dzongkhag constructed 25 new farm roads stretching to over 39.71kms.
In booming the vegetable production, 101 electric fences covering 174.24 kms of farmland were established. Bumthang has also increased its agricultural food and cash crop productions in the 11th FYP.
In the 10th FYP no power tillers were distributed from the government’s side in Bumthang Dzongkhag. However, the people purchased 36 power fillers on subsidized rates.
In the 11th FYP, the government supplied 4 power tillers, one for each Gewog. The people purchased 29 power tillers on subsidized rates.
Lyonchhen also highlighted on the essence of health and on how the vision of our Monarchs for free access to basic health facility has been fostered through the Bhutan Health Trust Fund, whose seed fund has been doubled for the 12th Five Year Plan.
Pasang Dorji, Bumthang Dzongdag explained that health has been a priority for the Dzongkhag and people have been referred to Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital for further treatment.
Bumthang Hospital evacuated 688 patients over ambulance in the 11th Five Year Plan. 33 out of the 348 medical evacuations by the Royal Bhutan Helicopter Services was also carried out for Bumthang Dzongkhag alone.
Lyonpo Namgay Dorji, Finance Minister accompanied Lyonchhen.
Mongar
Lyonchhen met the people of Mongar Dzongkhag on 2nd June.
Presenting the report, Mongar Dzongdag Ugyen Sonam explained that Mongar has constructed 122 new farm roads which stretches to over 485.3 kms.
He added that 14 of the 17 Gewog Center roads have also been blacktopped. The blacking topping works for the remaining three gewogs of Narang, Silambi and Gongdue will be complete in the 12th Plan.
Lyonchhen commended Mongar Dzongkhag for having completed all its targets for the 11th Plan and leaving no spillover projects for the 12th Plan.
Lyonchhen announced that in commemorating the 28th birth anniversary of Her Majesty the Gyaltsuen, the Ministry of Health, Royal Government of Bhutan will launch three new vaccines on 4th June 2018 Haley Pneumococcal vaccine, Rotavirus vaccine and Flu vaccine.
From 1979, a total of 11 vaccines are provided in Bhutan under the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI).
The day ended with the offering of Zhabten for the long life of His Majesty The King.
Lhuentse
Dasho Tshering Tobgay, interacted with the people of Lhuntse Dzongkhag on 3rd June.
Presenting the 11th Five Year final report, Lhuntse Dzongdag Jambay Wangchuk explained that 43 out of the 48 key performance indicators have been achieved; 3 key performance indicators on track; and 2 key performance indicators are at risk.
He said that the indicators at risks were the zero infant mortality rate for children below 5; and low chicken production.
Lyonchhen said that he is happy to learn that all the 8 gewog center roads of Lhuntse have been black-topped in the 11th Plan. The blacktopped Gewog Center road stretches to a total of 98.85kms.
He added that the improvement in sanitation access is also commendable. In the10th Plan, population with access to improved sanitation was 88.1%. In the 11th Plan, population with access to improved sanitation has reached 99.77%.
Pemagatshel
With no spillover project for the 12th Five Year Plan, Pemagatshel Dzongkhag has completed all of its projects and activities in the 11th Plan.
Lyonchhen on 7th June commended Pemagatshel Dzongkhag for completing all its activities for the 11th Plan.
Presenting the report for Pemagatshel Dzongkhag, Dzongdag Phuntsho shared that the Human Resources Development (HRD) Grant has been very beneficial for the Dzongkhag in building capacity of its employees.
Human Resources Development (HRD) Grant which was started in the 4th financial year of the 11th Plan gave Nu. 7 million to each Dzongkhag for capacity development of the Dzongkhag staffs.
He added that the Dzongkhag Development Grant (DDG) and Gewog Development Grant (GDC) has immensely benefited the LGs in supplementing its normal planned programs/activities.
Lyonchhen explained to the people on the status of country’s economy; educational and health development; road and agricultural growth; and rural development.
He explained that the non-hydro external debt has decreased 7% from 40.97 Billion in the 10th Plan to 38.24 Billion in the 11th Plan.
He added that the Hydro related external debt has increased from 54 Billion to 131.9 Billion because of the start of major hydro power projects which include Punatsangchhu 1 and 2; Mangdechhu; and Kholong chhu among others.
Lyonchhen said that he hopes the 71 new farm roads stretching to over 354.63 kms will immensely benefit the people of Pemagatshel.
Lyonchhen thanked the civil servants and the people for their hardwork and dedication in the successful completion of the 11th Five Year Plan.
Zhabtog Lyonpo Dorji Choden and Sherig Lyonpo Norbu Wangchuk were accompanying Lyonchhen.
Trashiyangtse
Lyonchhen interacted with the people of Trashiyangtse Dzongkhag on 8th June.
At the meeting, Lyonchhen highlighted that road accessibility is a crucial step in development aspect. He said that he is impressed with the 49 new farm roads in Trashiyangtse which spreads to over 153.29 kms and stands to benefit the locals of Trashiyangtse.
Trashiyangtse is famous for its cultural and religious sites which include the sacred Chorten Kora; Gomphu Kora and Rigsum Goenpa among others.
Highlighting this, Lyonchhen informed that people that in the 11th FYP Plan, 6 new Lhakhang and 16 new chortens were constructed. He added that 89 chortens and 7 Lhakhangs were also renovated.
Lyonchhen commended Trashiyangtse Dzongkhag for the completion of 1.7kms of storm water drain in Yangtse town which is a safety measure for the heavy monsoon rain.
Lyonchhen congratulated Trashiyangtse Dzongkhag team, civil servants and public for their efforts in the successful completion on the 11th Plan; and their contribution towards the development of the 12th Five Year Plan.
Trashigang
Prime Minister on the same day travelled to Trashigang and interacted with the people of Trashigang Dzongkhag.
Trashigang Dzongdag Chekey Gyeltshen presented the successes and lessons learnt from the 11th Plan. He shared that 13 of the 15 gewogs Center roads have been blacktopped.
Sakteng Gewog Center road is under construction and the black topping works will be complete in the 12th Plan.
The people of Merak, during Prime Minister’s Gewog visit requested the government to delay the black topping works in Merak so that the road becomes stable. The Merak GC road will also be blacktopped in the 12th Plan.
In the 11th Plan, Trashigang also saw the construction of 55 new farm roads which stretches to over 241.2kms.
Lyonchhen said that culture is an integral part for Bhutan. He shared that in the 11th Plan, 183 Lhakhang and related infrastructure were constructed; 201 Lhakhang and related infrastructure were renovated; and over 2008 chortens were renovated.
Lyonchhen also explained to the people on decentralization, growth in the country; rural development through Rehabilitation and His Majesty’s Kidu Programme; agriculture and livestock among others.
Zhabtog Lyonpo Dorji Choden and Sherig Lyonpo Norbu Wangchuk were accompanying Lyonchhen.