Meet the people: On an average, only about 10 people attend the government’s Meet the People Programme.

Since the launch of the programme on August 24, 2013, about 740 people have shared their grievances over 74 sessions of the programme.  The grievances included issues concerning lawsuits, employment, census, education loans, land cases and administrative disputes.

The programme has addressed and resolved about 60 percent of the issues that were brought up before the ministers.

The programme’s focal person, Sonam Tobgyel, said that, although the number of visitors has decreased, the programme would continue.

During the 74th session of the programme on March 28, about 10 people turned up with their grievances.  Issues of admission of children to secondary education, employment and adoption were discussed.  The issues were addressed to the home minister, Damcho Dorji, who said that the problems would be looked into and letters forwarded to the authorities concerned.

During the 71st session of the programme, a recovering addict, Aum Karma, who had been attending the programme for almost a month, came asking for a financial assistance from the government in order to support her student son in India.

Lyonpo DN Dhungyel, to whom the issue was addressed, said there was nothing the government could do for her.  Not satisfied with the decision, Aum Karma waited for the prime minister.

Lyonchoen Tshering Tobgay explained to Aum Karma that the government could not provide that kind of assistance. There was also a single mother, who came to the programme with an issue similar to Aum Karma’s.

Sonam Tobgyel said that people still did not know the real purpose of the programme. “The government will definitely help those, who have grievances, within the rules and regulations of the country.”

Younten Tshedup