The Bhutanese Leading the way.
The capital may see a silent protest, if the government chooses not to pay heed to the business community’s proposal
Members of the business community said they have waited enough for the government to look into the Pedestrian day policy and declared they will hold a ‘silent protest’ against the policy , if nothing comes out 30 days after their proposal.
For this, members of the business community sought support and cooperation from the Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI).
Some members of the private sector during a meeting with local banks earlier this week in the capital said various business houses in the country from small shops to industries face difficulties on different scales and in situation owing to the “ad-hoc policy”.
BCCI president Tobgyal Dorji said the chamber would do whatever possible to support the business community to remove problems caused by the pedestrian day.
A businessman, Tshering Tobgyel at the forum said at least Nu 20mn worth of business is lost by the business community each Tuesday while truckers lose more than Nu 0.4mn a year as 52 days are wasted. He said that home builders, contractors and government projects have to be stalled and common people with families spend a minimum of Nu 500 on Tuesdays as taxi fares.
He added that “If we weigh out the advantages and disadvantages, there are only two advantages which I needn’t mention here as it may become personal”.
The BCCI president said “We’re not going against the government, but are concerned about businesses which will ultimately affect the economy.”
“We’ll gather together at the clock tower and perform a silent protest. We’ll do it according to our rights that democracy provides,” a businessman said.
Earlier, in July this year, some members of the business community in Thimphu and other Dzongkhags representing Industries, Hotels, Shops and other business outlets had planned to close shop for a day as a last resort, silent and peaceful protest against the pedestrian day.
Another businessman said it will be a very “civilized” protest with “nothing personal” against any institution.
Till date, sixteen days has been observed as Pedestrian Day after it was first introduced on 5 June, 2012. Since day one the initiative came under the public scanner with some arguing that there is no legality in this enforcement as it was an executive order unlike a proper law.
While a few supported the idea, some ranted on social media that the government had no right to interfere in the daily lives of people.
The worst hit according to private sector representatives, further underscored by the BCCI president are contractors, importers, exporters and transport agencies. Many businessmen at the meet said the initiative doesn’t serve any purpose when it comes to conservation of environment. They said people left their cars at home and used cabs for transport.
However, President of the Hotels Association of Bhutan (HAB), Dasho Tobgye Dorji said though it is obvious that there is huge inconvenience caused, there haven’t been any complaints or responses even after inquiring from the hoteliers on the inconvenience caused by the pedestrian day.
“While I sympathize with the business communities, I on behalf of the association cannot join this consensus,” he said.
Chairman of Singye Group who is also the President of construction association of Bhutan (CAB) Ugen Tsechup said if tourists had the right to travel in cars, citizens has the right as well to do so. “A lot of tour operators are misusing the opportunity as well,” he added.
He said the silent protest is in the interest of the all individuals, shops, industries and private sector and the chamber is welcome if they wish to join.
He earlier said “If it can be adjusted for the tourism sector, they should allow for industries and construction too because the loss of 52 days in a year is huge.”
A trader at the forum pointed out that while business is stranded on Tuesdays across the country ,“business houses in developed countries has no time to spare even for meals”. “If you weigh the pros and cons, I feel like the pedestrian day does more harm than good,” he added.
“We need to analyze the importance and weigh between the economy of the country and the international publicity gained by such a policy.”
The BCCI president assured full support from the chamber’s side on all the issues including the pedestrian day. He said the private sector isn’t going against the government or the system but is worried about the economy and the future if this economic crisis continues.
“This is my last term and last meeting as president of the chamber and I will take up all the matters to the government and hopefully the government will respond to us and if the government doesn’t listen I will come back to you for solutions or the way forward,” he concluded.
instead of pedestrian day why not ban those old cars and trucks from plying ..they emits so much carbon monoxide and sometimes its very difficult to see n breath …….wen dose cars ply…….like RSTA..der shud be emission inspector who wil check cars emission level frequently……and those with high emission level shud be fined …..like they in mexico does….
If Ped day was observed just in the main town areas it would actually be quite nice and all the inconveniences being experienced may not be there.It would be nice to walk around town like on some of the special celebration days in the last few years.As it is now i think the areas requiring walking is too vast to be practical. Therefore without using buses and cabs it is inconvenient, and when cheap services are lacking the people suffer.Hope some positive changes come about, and not something else like breastfeeding mothers to work from home policy which again brings up a myriad of problems n issues.
I urge the Govt. to stand its ground. Right thinking Bhutanese will be less than amused by self vested few partisan business communities.Any decision and reforms will be crippled by the ROLLBACKS.
They are talking of losing few million worth of business due to P-Day, but should substantiate it. They are not realizing that there is huge savings in terms of INR besides many other advantages. Just to limelight INR savings, Say we have 67,000 vehicles in the country today. On P-Day only 17,000 vehicles (buses, Even No. taxes and truckers on high ways) commute and rest 50,000 vehicles stay off road from morning 8.00AM to 6.00 in the evening. Say for the off road 50,000 vehicles there is saving of 2.00 liters of petrol=50,000*2.00=100,000Liters. To convert 100,000 liters of petrol into INR @Nu.66/- per liter=6,600,000/-INR in one Tuesday. So in 52 Tuesdays we save INR.6,600,000*52 Tuesdays=343,200,000INR. So in 5 years down the line we will save 343,200,000*5=1,716,000,000 INR. Do you not see this as economic reforms in the face of Trade deficits compounded by INR and cash crunch which is the talk of the town now.
The proposed silent protest is a new thing to me so far and I have no comment on it.
The photo of stranded trucks parked on Truck parking near express way on P-Day is very funny. I have seen more trucks parked there on other days than on TUESDAYS ! Please inform the people CORRECTLY.
We are eagerly waiting for other parties to win the election in 2013 so that the pedestrian day would be abolished on the very first day. I am cent sure that no other parties would support the useless pedestrian day.
Even Thai Govt. is looking at implementing NO CAR DAY in a week. See the difference between our revengeful businessmen and the Public of Thailand. The people have supported the move with open minds for the benefit of the entire globe.