All four political party candidates of Kengkhar-Weringla constituency in Mongar have pledged and prioritised to solve the drinking water shortage in Khengkhar gewog.

The candidates, during the last common forum held in Udari Primary School on September 9, claimed they would resolve the issue.

Bhutan Kuen-Nyam Party (BKP) candidate, Gaylay Jamtsho, said his party’s ideology is to prioritise on providing 100 percent drinking water to all citizens.

He said the first two governments failed to solve the drinking water issue in the gewog. “If BKP forms the government, we will surely solve the issue.”

Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa (DNT) candidate, Kuenzang Drukpa, said the party had already pledged to institute an agency that would resolve the water problem. “The agency will look into the problem and plan strategies to resolve it.”

Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) candidate, Rinzin Jamtsho, said the scarcity of drinking water in the gewog affected the community’s economic growth.

He also said if people vote for DPT, the government would discuss with the communities and local government leaders to look into the possibility of using water pumps.

People Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Sonam Penjor, said the party would provide 10,000-litre water storage tanks to every household in the gewog.

The people, who attended the common forum, said they are happy with whoever wins, as everyone promised them what they wanted.

A villager, Sherab Zangmo, 54, said she is happy that all candidates promised to resolve the water shortage issue in the gewog. “We have farm road and electricity but we suffer because of water shortage.”

She said they depend on rainwater in summer but in winter, they spend three to four hours every day to fetch water.

Another villager, Sangay Lhamo, 73, said without a water source in the village, the community could not develop much. “Our village is located on a hill.”

Meanwhile, of the three constituencies in the dzongkhag, Mongar started the common forum on August 29 and completed on September 6.

In Drametse-Ngatsang, the common forum also started on August 29 and completed on September 6.

In Kengkhar-Weringla constituency, the common forum started on August 28 and completed on September 9.

Tashi Phuntsho | Kengkhar

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