LG: Local leaders like gups, mangmis and tshogpas have been asked to vacate their offices since their five-year term ended on July 28, according to an August 1 office order from the home and cultural affairs ministry.

The office order instructs the dzongdags across the 20 dzongkhags to direct their respective local leaders to dissolve the gewog tshogdes (GT) and dzongkhag tshogdus (DT) with effect from July 28.

According to the office order, the five-year term for first democratic local government ended on July 28 after it was constituted on June 28, 2011.

“With reference to the Election Act and notification issued on June 28, 2011, it should be considered that the gewog tshogde and dzongkhag tshogdu completed five-year term on July 28,” the office order states.

It also stated that the dzongkhags must initiate procedures to dissolve gewog tshogdes and dzongkhag tshogdus in their respective areas while a letter to vacate the offices must be written to all the local leaders. The order also asks the dzongkhags to carry out the handing and taking over of the office as per the Local Government Act 2009, local government rules and regulations 2012, and other relevant laws.

Following the officer order, dzongkhags have already started working on dissolving the gewog tshogdes and dzongkhag tshogdus.

“We have already written to gewogs directing the gewog administrative officers to carry out the handing and taking over of the gewog office from the local leaders,” Bumthang Dzongdag Phub Tshering said, adding that while the dzongkhag has asked to dissolve the gewog tshogde and dzongkhag tshogdu immediately, it would however take a few days to complete.

Similarly, other dzongkhags such as Sarpang and Trongsa, among others, have written to their respective gewogs to dissolve the gewog tshogdes. “With reference to the circular from the home ministry we have issued a letter saying that the local leaders have completed their five-year term on July 28,” Trongsa Dzongdag Sonam Rinchen said.

Sarpang Dzongdag Dawala said that he has asked the local leaders to complete their handing and taking over of gewog office to the gewog administrative officer at the earliest. “Though we have asked to complete it at the earliest, the handing and taking over might take at least a week to complete,” Dawala said.

In Trongsa, Nubi Gup Tashi Pendhen, who is also a dzongkhag tshogdu chairperson said that the gewog received the office order yesterday. “Accordingly we have started works to dissolve the gewog tshogde by handing and taking over of the office, which we are planning to complete by the coming Monday,” Tashi Pendhen said.

Tempa Wangdi

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