Thinley Namgay
Cultural development in the country will receive a major boost with a budget allocation of Nu 4.577 billion in the 13th Plan – a record 55 percent increase from the 12th Plan’s Nu 2.56B.
This announcement was made during the on-going coordination meeting on the 13th Plan implementation with local government leaders in Thimphu yesterday.The Department of Culture and Dzongkha Development (DCDD) and the Dratshang Lhentshog are the primary agencies responsible for implementing these plans. Of the Nu 4.577 billion, Nu 3.852 billion is allocated to the DCDD while Nu 947 million is allocated to the Dratshang Lhentshog.
The budget will be utilised to promote and safeguard numerous cultural heritage sites across the country, along with other initiatives to enhance Bhutanese culture and tradition.
As of 2023, the DCDD has documented 2,165 heritage sites across the country.
Despite the substantial increase in the budget, local leaders expressed dissatisfaction with the distribution of funds among different dzongkhags.
Some local leaders said that certain dzongkhags receive disproportionately high budgets. They also questioned the prioritisation process for protection of cultural heritage sites as some important sites were left out in the Plan.
Local leaders emphasised the need for plans to be developed with inputs from local levels to ensure fair and practical distribution of resources.
Many gups requested the DCDD and the Dratshang Lhentshog to revisit the plans and budget allocations.
Gups also highlighted the limited autonomy of local governments in the past in utilising block grants for the construction or maintenance of cultural sites.
Officials from the DCDD and the Dratshang Lhentshog explained that the plans were formulated considering the national economy and proposals from respective dzongkhags. Nonetheless, they agreed to revisit the plans in response to the concerns raised.
The DCDD has outlined plans to leverage cultural heritage as a catalyst for social cohesion, national identity, and economic development. Some of the major projects include the Nu 522 million Sarpang Dzong construction, the establishment of the Royal Institute for Performing Arts with Nu 500 million allocated for it, the construction of Gyalsung Lhakhangs at a cost of Nu 468 million, and the Tango restoration project worth Nu 376.08 million.
DCDD officials said that privately owned lhakhangs registered with the Choedey Lhentshog and benefiting the community may receive support based on budget availability and local government priorities.
The DCDD also plans to prioritise the development of new spiritual sites in regions lacking such facilities. In addition, any capital works proposed for dzongs and lhakhangs with significant works implemented in the last two decades will be deprioritised unless urgently required due to disasters.
DCCD officials said that local leaders have to consult the department before initiating electrification works at heritage sites. Of the Nu 947 million allocated to the Dratshang Lhentshog, Nu 897 million is earmarked for infrastructure development, with the remaining Nu 50 million for softer components.
Of the Nu 897 million for infrastructure development, the highest budget is allocated for Thimphu with Nu 230.4 million, followed by Haa with Nu 147.1 million. The lowest is for Gasa with Nu 5.57 million and Nu 11.2 million for Trashiyangtse.
The Dratshang Lhentshog has planned 123 activities in the 13th Plan. However, construction projects related to community lhakhangs, elderly centres, seasonal residences, guesthouses, and social service centres were excluded from this plan.