DT members recommends the centre to be used as farm shop

DT: The issue of a non-operational Renewal Natural Resources Centre (RNRC) at Pangzam Khamoed in Thrimshing gewog was the highlight of the Trashigang dzongkhag tshogdu (DT) yesterday.

As an interim measure, the DT resolved to move livestock, agriculture and forestry officials from the gewog RNR center at Thrimshing to the Pangzam Khamoed center.

Given the huge size of Thrimshing, the gewog administration had proposed for another RNR center that would cater to about 260 households in lower Thrimshing chiwogs.

Despite the construction of the center having completed in 2011, no officials from the three departments were deployed in the last five years. Thrimshing gup Ngawang Dorji said the issue was repeatedly raised in the past tshogdus but progress was slow.

“We also approached the agriculture minister on the issue. If there is no possibility at all, may be officials from gewogs that have more RNR staffs could be sent to Pangzam Khamoed,” Ngawang Dorji said. “Otherwise, the center could be handed over to the gewog administration.”

DT members recommended that the center be handed over to the gewog to be utilized as farm shop, guesthouse or for other purposes to benefit villagers of the two chiwogs.

Dzongkhag Livestock Officer, NS Tamang said they have put up requisitions for staff to the agriculture and forests ministry but the Royal Civil Service Commission allows only one staff, from each department, to a gewog.

“After studying the need for RNR staffs for the center, we have put up a proposal through the organizational development (OD) exercise,” NS Tamang said. “Should it get through, we would need the center for ourselves.”

Trashigang dzongrab, Pema Dorji recommended that existing staffs from the gewog RNR center start a shift system whereby both the centers are taken care of. For instance, officials could work for few days in a week from one center and for the rest of the week from the other.

Since the RNR center at Pangzam Khamoed is equipped with staff quarters and given the need, the DT decided on moving the existing staffs from the gewog center to Pangzam Khamoed until a better solution is in place.

However, Ngawang Dorji said that moving staffs from one center to another would not help solve the issue completely. It would only take away the RNR services for about 300 households that are nearer to the gewog center.

Trashigang is in need of four agriculture extension supervisors, five livestock extension supervisors and four forestry officers. The shortage started during the 10th Plan after new RNR centers were established in larger gewogs.

Tshering Wangdi,  Trashigang

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