MTR: According to the midterm review (MTR) report submitted to Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, yesterday, Trashiyangtse has achieved about 75 percent of the 11th Plan targets.

Of the 52 key performance indicators (KPI) of the dzongkhag’s key result areas that include enhancing rural household income, improved health status and education among others, 29 have been achieved. Three result areas are in the ‘risk zone’.

The livestock sector has crossed the milk production target by a huge margin. Milk production in the dzongkhag increased to 1905 litres against the target of 1000 litres. Butter and cheese production have also increased significantly.

In the education sector where the focus was on enhancing accessibility, quality and literacy, a new school was established, 317 disadvantaged students were covered under the support service system while 699 people were enrolled in the non-formal programme.

There was no report of maternal mortality in the dzongkhag and trained personnel attended 83 percent delivery cases. The dzongkhag reported four cases of infant mortality and another four cases related to death of children under five.

In terms of capital investments, 13 new farm roads were constructed and 12 maintained. Five irrigation channels were constructed and the dzongkhag installed 25km electric fencing; two motorable bridges were developed and 17 rural water supply schemes constructed.

Trashiyangtse Dzongdag Thuji Tshering said that targets for paddy production, soya production and areas to be brought under irrigation might not be achieved during the Plan and hence be reduced.

“Given that only 2,400 acres of land currently have access to irrigation channels, targets set for paddy production and area to be brought under irrigation is too high,” he said. “Soya bean production target of 200 metric tonnes is also high because the current production is just about 32 metric tonnes a year,” said Thuji Tshering.

The dzongdag also highlighted the need to renovate Dongdey Dzong and Rigsumgoenpa as the structures have sustained damage due to earthquakes and informed that Doksum township project in Khetsang needs another Nu 182.577 million (M).

Doksum township project was planned in the 11th Plan. From the estimated budget of Nu 300M, Nu 51.6M was released with an understanding that the remaining Nu 248.4M would be maintained with the Ministry of Works and Human Settlement (MoWHS).

“The expenditure till date is Nu 117.423M. Our request for the remaining Nu 182.577 is on hold while Nu 43.134M was frozen from the budget on grounds that it exceeded the dzongkhag’s budget outlay for the 11th Plan,” said Thuji Tshering.

Lyonchoen said that the dzongkhag administration, the economic affairs ministry and MoWHS should work together to solve the issues.

For the renovation of Dondgey Dzong and Rigsumgoenpa, a team of experts will be sent to carry out a study. Should there be need for major renovation works, the activities would be incorporated in the 12th Plan.

Lyonchoen recommended not to lower targets set for the three KPIs indicated as at risk. To boost productions, these issues would be discussed with the agriculture ministry.

Lyonchoen announced that Boleros would be distributed to the gewogs after the second phase of local government elections. He also informed that Trashiyangtse Institute for Zorig Chusum would be upgraded to a Rigzhung Thorim Lobdra with focus on Zorig Chusum to commemorate the 400 years of Zhabdrung’s  arrival in Trashiyangtse.

Tshering Wangdi, Trashiyangtse