Chencho Dema
Punakha – People’s Democratic Party (PDP) officially began the party’s campaign in Punakha, where President Tshering Tobgay took the blessing from Machey Kuenrey.
He then travelled to Thangzona to meet with 600 coordinators from Kabji-Talo Gewog.
He then travelled to Lingmukha Gewog Centre and to Bajothang in Wangdue before leaving for Gasa.
The president stressed on how worried and concerned he was about the country’s economy.
He promised the establishment of a centralised school in each gewog and chiwog where students would receive all the basic supplies required for education for free.
He also promised an ambulance and a doctor each in each gewog.
Roads in rural areas, he said, will be blacktopped and the government will manage the road conditions.
Further to that, he said that in the event a mother gives birth to a third child, the parents will receive Nu 10,000 per month for three years.
His promise that a person would receive Nu 150,000 in life insurance rather than Nu 30,000 was the highlight of the meeting.
He said that chain-link fence would be distributed among the people in the country to address the issue of human-wildlife conflict.
“The cost of the data would also be decreased by 50 percent and, if possible, bring it at par with the rates in India. Loans for farmers with less interest will be introduced and, to buy power tiller, we will give an interest-free loan,” he added.
The PDP president also promised to provide loans to underprivileged parents who cannot afford to send their children to Australia.
“We will lease over 100 acres of government land to a youth group comprising over 100 individuals who wish to work in agriculture,” he said, besides promising water and irrigation canals.
Concluding his speech, Tshering Tobgay said that people should evaluate the PDP’s prior accomplishments and cast their votes for the most qualified and credible party.
In Wangdue, the president met with the coordinators of Athang-Thedtsho at the Bajothang Higher Secondary School auditorium where he shared the same pledges with the hundreds of coordinators.
According to the Election Commission of Bhutan, any additional public meetings, small meetings or rallies shall be subject to the provisions of the law, Code of Conduct and as per the campaign schedule and use of vehicles as approved by the Returning Officer.
A smaller meeting may be conducted only after 7am and before 4pm. All party presidents have launched their campaigns. Bhutan Tendrel Party president started from South Thimphu on November 7, Druk Thuendrel Tshogpa began from Trashigang yesterday. Druk Phuensum Tshogpa president will start his campaign from Punakha today.