Rajesh Rai | Phuentsholing
The complaints and frustrations among people about not getting vegetable supplies in the “red zone” Phuentsholing town is no more a problem.
Many people who complained before are now lauding and appreciating the Food Corporation of Bhutan Limited (FCBL) and the people involved in delivering the services.
Along with FCBL, Phuentsholing Thromde and Bhutan Red Cross Society (BRCS) volunteers are also involved in supplying vegetables to the town’s residents.
The vegetables are brought from Chukha, Paro and Thimphu, and are packed at the FCBL auction yard.
FCBL’s director for the department of corporate business, Dorji Tashi, said that the corporation distributed 4,411 combo bags of vegetables in the last five days.
“On average, we have distributed 882 bags per day,” he said. “This is excluding institutional clients such as armed forces and hotels for whom we supplied in bulk.”
At Toorsa temporary settlement, Sonam Pelden, 19, said that people had become desperate in the initial days after the lockdown.
“But now it has improved.”
However, delivery of essentials at Toorsa temporary settlement, which is also FCBL’s responsibility, is still a problem but distribution has started block wise, she said, adding that she had to order from another source as she couldn’t wait.
Another resident said he was glad to receive the vegetables yesterday.
“It took two days after I ordered, which I think is still a fast delivery.”
He also said that the combo pack had healthy green leafs and beans. The quantity of the vegetables was praiseworthy.
Thrompon Uttar Kumar Rai said that although there were public grievances about the supply of vegetables, FCBL was doing everything in its capacity.
“The main problem in distribution was due to many areas to cover,” he said, adding that the supplies had to reach places as far as Pasakha and Toorsa Tar.
“And having SOPs and implementing them in the field are two different aspects.”
Uttar Kumar Rai said that there weren’t many vehicles on the move due to the risk factor, which affected the delivery.
However, if there are emergencies, people in the local areas can call the thromde thuemis and thrompon for help.