…Samdrupjongkhar’s first democratically-elected thrompon hangs up patang 

Kelzang Wangchuk | Samdrupjongkhar

Samdrupjongkhar’s thrompon for the past decade, Karma Sherab Thobgyal leaves office tomorrow at a challenging time when the pandemic has taken a toll on the implementation of developmental activities. 

He said that it is not only Samdrupjongkhar thromde that has been adversely affected by the global pandemic, but the whole country is going through a difficult time. 

“Developmental activities are badly affected because of the numerous lockdowns and lack of skilled and unskilled construction workers,” the thrompon said. “Quite a few of our projects have yet to take off, and some that have started are not moving forward as smoothly as expected.”

He said that the post-Covid scenario will be challenging, as the thromde has lost precious time. “It will be critical to have a sufficient budget to implement future developmental plans and accelerate our economic recovery.”

In the past 10 years, the thromde has introduced a customer care counter, a one-stop-shop for all thromde services like building permits, water connections, land-related services, and G2C services.

Some milestones of development in the town were the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-funded water supply project with a water treatment plant (WTP) commissioned in 2020, sewerage treatment plants, construction and blacktopping of the roads, flood protection work, new bridges, a sports complex with an astroturf football ground along with lighting, construction of parks, installation of more than 600 LED street lights, and the fifth Royal Bhutan Flower Exhibition, among others.

He said that he had not only fulfilled his pledges but went beyond the pledges.

“As far as I’m aware, I have not only fulfilled the pledges I made but went beyond my pledges for the betterment of our thromde and the happiness of our residents,” he said. 

He said that he has no regrets. “I am forever grateful to the kindness and magnanimity of His Majesty The King and thankful for the goodwill and love of my constituents.”

“To take a break and provide opportunities to some new candidates, I’m not re-contesting for the third time,” he said. 

Edited by Tshering Palden