Thukten Zangpo

Apart from reviewing national policies and laws, social development was the top priority during Paro’s NC public debate.

The public debate was telecast live from Shari Higher Secondary School on April 7.

Aspiring NC candidate from Sharpa Gewog, Jigme, 40, said that he would strengthen the rule of law for every interest and rights of all Bhutanese.

“With many laws in the country, people are facing inconveniences,” he said, adding that it is very important, therefore, to incorporate these laws.

Jigme also said that he would shoulder the responsibility of the people with utmost sincerity and dedication. He worked as Senior Divisional Manager in Bhutan Power Corporation’s Paro ESD for six years and has a Master in Engineering (Power System) degree from the University of Western Australia.

Fifty-six-year-old NC candidate from Loong-nyi Gewog, Gyeltshen Dukpa, said that he would focus on reviewing the Forest and Nature Conservation Act to benefit the people.

Since Paro is the gateway to Bhutan, he said that he would ensure the best utilisation of the opportunity for beautification and tourism-related business ideas in the dzongkhag.

Gyeltshen Dukpa also said that he would make policies that would be best and suitable for the Bhutanese returnees from abroad. He served as chief forestry officer under the then Ministry of Agriculture and Forests and has Master of Science in Environmental Management and Restoration from Charles Sturt University in Australia.

Ugyen Dorji, 43, an aspiring candidate from Wangchang Gewog, said that he would address the agriculture-related issues. “Marketing and selling produce are the biggest problems farmers face today.”

He said he would focus on providing free sheds for the agriculture vendors.

Ugyen Dorji also said that he would preserve, protect and defend the Constitution and uphold laws and Acts at all times. He worked as a contractor and has Bachelor of Electrical and Electronic Engineering from Anna University in Tamil Nadu, India.

NC candidate from Dokar Gewog, Zeko, 53, said that he would review, initiate and change the legislation, policies and programmes while upholding the Constitution for the sustainable growth of Bhutan.

He said that policies such as the plastic ban and restriction on the sale of alcohol on Tuesdays were not effective and needed revision.

For the promotion of tourism, he said that the current sustainable development fee is too high, and he would push to reduce the fee.

Zecko worked as chief trade officer under the Export Promotion Division of the Department of Trade for 11 years. He has a Master of Science in Information Technology from King Mongkut’s University of Technology, Thailand.

Incumbent Ugyen Tshering, 53, from Lamgong Gewog, said that he would render services to the people with utmost commitment and dedication.

“I will be the bridge between people and the government and always consult relevant stakeholders,” he said.

Talking about the constitution of the sixth pay commission, Ugyen Tshering said that the government formed the commission to revise the pay since the government’s domestic revenue can meet the recurrent expenditure.

Ugyen Tshering has a Bachelor of Commerce from Sherubtse College.

Out of the 10 gewogs in Paro, there was no nominee from five gewogs, namely Doteng, Dopshari, Hoongrel, Nagya, Tsento, and Paro Throm.

There are about 11,000 female and about 10,000 male eligible voters from Paro.