Choki Wangmo | Dagana

Without sufficient human resources, some gewogs in Dagana are facing difficulty to provide basic public services.

Of 14 gewogs in the dzongkhag, there are no gewog administration officers (GAOs) in four gewogs and two gewogs do not have drivers in the past six months.

This, according to the local government (LG) leaders, hampered public service delivery.

“Many LG leaders did not have past experiences,” a LG member said.

A source said that Tseza and Kana gewogs did not have gewog drivers for the past six months. There is no GAO in Tseza gewog for the past two months.

Gups and mangmis have divided the roles of GAOs and gaydrungs among themselves for proper functioning.

“We can carry out paper works like drafting plans and annual performance agreement, but we do not have time to compile reports on time,” a gup said.

He said that looking after both administration and other developmental activities in the gewog has become challenging.

“I am new to the position and I am worried that I will fail in service delivery,” said another, adding that without gaydrungs and GAOs, there is a huge gap in the LG.

With his former GAO transferred to another dzongkhag and no information on the replacement, he said he was worried.

According to a gup, LG leaders weren’t trained in administration.

“Most of the GAOs are on contract,” he said. “Many leave the position before the two-year contract period ends. Local Governance Department (DLG) should make strict contract terms.”

The gup said that he had raised the issue to the dzongkhag administration, who informed him that the requisition was put with the DLG. “We did not get any updates yet.”

Although the gewogs received internal orders from the dzongkhag administration to transfer GAOs, some gups are refusing to relieve their GAOs.

“Before we get a replacement, the gewog won’t be able to relieve the GAO,” a gup said.

Gups in the two gewogs without gewog drivers said that they submitted requisition letters to the administration thrice. “Mangmi and I take turns to drive the vehicle,” a gup said. “Unless there are emergencies, we are adapting.”

Another gup said that it was challenging during the Million Tree Project that ended recently. “We had to drive the Bolero and missed office work.”

Sources said that the gewog agriculture and livestock extension officers were instructed by the dzongkhag administration to support the LG leaders in service delivery.

The Royal Civil Service Commission delayed the recruitment of gewog Bolero drivers because of June closing, a source said.

An official from the dzongkhag administration said that a lists of vacant posts was submitted to the authorities concerned for necessary action.