Thinley Namgay

Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering had asked the economic affairs ministry to form a committee to work on reopening of entertainment centres.

The committee must have representatives from the Department of Trade, thromde, police, Department of Culture, and labour ministry.

Lyonchhen said this at the National Council yesterday while responding to Gasa’s NC member Dorji Khandu’s query on how the government is working to reopen entertainment centres like drayangs, karaokes and discotheques.

The NC member said reopening drayangs which accommodate only 15 to 20 people shouldn’t be a problem since people are crowding the town areas.

Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering, however, said the government would reopen drayangs with 50 percent visitors by following Covid-19 safety measures if they fulfil two criteria.  “Most of the drayangs do not fulfil criteria. The size of the room, ventilators, separate toilet and dressing room for both the genders needs to be maintained.”

He said the other criteria is that the ‘request system’ in drayangs should stop. “The ‘request system’ in drayangs need to stop because customers pay more when they drink. It has social impacts.”

According to Lyonchhen, drayangs are also risky place amid Covid-19 pandemic. “People will get drunk, and they will forget to wear mask and maintain social distance.”

He said the government conducted four meetings with the representatives of the entertainment centres. “The reality of who goes to the drayang, who works there and what problems the girls face is sad.”

Prime Minister said that although drayangs are supposed to be a holistic entertainment place, it was not so. “Drayang has to be a place where we feel comfortable even if we go with our family.”