MTR: Bumthang has achieved more than 50 percent of the 11th Plan activities as per the midterm review (MTR) report presented to Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, yesterday.

The MTR that was supposed to have started by 10am was delayed by more than two hours after the Lyonchoen’s flight to Bumthang from Paro was delayed.

Lyonchoen apologised to local leaders and dzongkhag officials who were waiting at Lamigoenpa since 8:30am.

Presenting the MTR report, Bumthang dzongdag Phub Tshering said the district has achieved around 50 percent of its targeted activities of the 11th Plan, while the majority of other activities are underway.

He said the district has achieved 1012.3MT of wheat production, 2067.9MT of milk, 74MT of butter and 1.3M balls of  cheese. Each household has achieved more than its targeted dairy production. The district has also achieved 515.3MT of buckwheat out of its target 783MT, 265.5MT of paddy of the targeted 354.06MT and also produced 6439.9MT of potatoes of the target 7163.81MT.

He said 99 percent of the total households in Bumthang has access to proper sanitation facilities, waste collection in Chamkhar thromde has increased from three times to five times a week and drinking water is now available 24 hours a day, which was improved from 12 hours in 2012.

The dzongkhag has received 116 power tillers from the government and has 103 owned by the private individuals, he said. Except for places like Bimtharpaling, Zhuray and Yerangbi, 96.8 percent of the total households in Bumthang have mobile connectivity.

“The district health reported five infant death cases due to preterm birth, breathing problems and underweight following birth,” said Phub Tshering. The reason reported was due to failure in reaching a health centre or hospital for checkup on time and also because of family problems.

The dzongkhag has constructed around 5.95kms of farm road out of its targeted 15.2kms and completed maintenance of 10.44kms of farm roads against a target of 71.6kms, said the dzongdag. They have received two waste collector trucks from the government of Japan and constructed 1.1km of retaining walls along Chamkharchhu through the small development programme grant.

Six health centres including the Wangdicholing hospital were provided with facilities like generator, sub-station, a kitchen constructed for the Chummey basic health unit and a fence built for the Ura basic health unit area.

In gewogs like Chokhor and Chummey, new drinking water supply schemes were provided, while works for the four other gewogs are under full-swing. The district also reported to have completed maintenance works of 16 rural water supply schemes and works in six places are underway.

They have constructed eight new infrastructures at various temples and lhakhangs including Kurje, Buli and Jakar dratshang. Construction of Jampa lhakhang’s surrounding wall is under construction. Eight maintenance works related to culture and religious sites has been completed.

Eight new community forest groups were formed against its target of 10 and one 14.5km trekking route for tourists was also completed, said officials. Works to build four trekking routes were still ongoing.

Meanwhile the dzongkhag was allotted with Nu 661.280M for the 11th Plan, of which they have received Nu 134.853M within the last two years and spent Nu 133.930M. The district has also received a gewog development grant of Nu 16M within the last two years of which they have spent Nu 15.998M. The dzongkhag was also allotted with Nu 661.280M as budget for capital activities during the 11th Plan of which they have received Nu 201.297M and spent Nu 200.372M till date.

Dawa Gyelmo, Bumthang