Minutes on Gewog Development Grants for the fiscal year 2014-2015

Date: 30^th September 2014

Time: 9:30 am

Venue: Gewog Meeting Hall, Kikhorthang, Tsirang

Attendees: The public of five Chiwogs under Kilkhorthang.

Agenda: Identification of areas of utilization of the Gewog Development Grant (Nu. 2 million) for the year 2014-2015.

Discussion & Resolution

The Gup welcomed and expressed his appreciation to all the public for their presence. He informed that a total of Nu. 2,000,000/- (Two Million) has been allocated for Kilkhorthang Gewog as GDG 2014-15 and that the five Chiwogs are entitled Nu. 400,000/- (Four Hundred Thousand) each. He then handed over the floor to the Gewog Administrative Officer (GAO) to brief the public on the Gewog Development Grants Guidelines for the year 2014.

The GAO explained the guidelines clearly to the public and opened the floor for discussion. The participants were divided into groups headed by the Tshogpas of the respective Chiwogs.  Each Chiwog presented their plan of activities under the financial support of the development grant.

For those Chiwogs that were not able to finalize their plans on that day were given a time extension. They were informed to conduct meetings in their respective Chiwogs and submit the plans of activities during the GYT meeting scheduled on 13^th October 2014.

Gewog Tshogde

Date: 13^th October, 2014 

Time: 9:30 am

Venue: Gewog Meeting Hall, Kilkhorthang, Tsirang

Attendees:

1.      Tshewang Norbu (Gup), Chairman

2.      Nidup (Menchuna Tshogpa)

3.      Tsheden (Dekiling Tshogpa)

4.      Suk Man Lama (Satshangma Tshogpa)

5.      Khem Raj Rai (Nyzergang Tshogpa)

6.      Sonam Lhamo (Gyedrung)

7.      Damcho (GAO)

8.      Tawzang (Accountant)

9.      L.B. Chhetri (Gewog Agriculture)

The Gup explained the Gewog Development Grants Guidelines, 2014 to the Chiwog Tshogpas and handed over the floor to the Tshogpas to present their respective Chiwog plans to other GYT members present.

Presenter 1: Nyzergang Tshogpa

The Tshogpa conducted a meeting with all the people of his Chiwog and came up with a consensus to use the GDG Budget of Nu. 400,000/- (Four Hundred Thousand) for the construction of new farm road, that would be connecting Dunglagang main road to Rai Gawn, and benefitting over twenty households of Nyzergang Chiwog. Any surplus budget will be utilized for the electrification of Nyzergang ORC (Out-Reach Clinic).

The Tshogpa said that his Chiwog would carry out the work departmentally and utilize the budget efficiently.  

Gup informed all Tshogpas to get all government clearances before they start executing their work. All members present agreed with the Chiwog’s plans and supported him.

Presenter 2: Menchuna Tshogpa

Menchuna Tshogpa informed the floor that the people of his Chiwog came to a consensus that the budget would be used for the maintenance of Batasey and Mithun farm roads.

The Gup and Gewog Administrative Officer however, notified that since the maintenance of Batasey farm road was already done the year before, it would not be appropriate to use the budget on the same activities within the same village. Instead, advised that the public should take full ownership of the infrastructure already developed and take the initiative to do the maintenance.

The other GYT members supported the Gup and Gewog Administrative Officer. After much deliberation, it was decided that the funds would be used for the maintenance of Mithun Farm road (C/O Sonam Zamgmo) till the Batasey Branch Road. It was also made clear that in case of any disputes among the people within the Chiwog regarding the fund management, the amount will be transferred to other Chiwogs.

Presenter 3: Dekiling Tshogpa

The Tshogpa informed that the budget would be used for the construction of Satshangma Lhakhang farm road as a supplementary budget to the SDP budget. Since only 1 km of road was approved under the SDP budget, the work cannot be completed with insufficient budget.

However, the Gewog Administrative Officer reiterated what was mentioned in the GDG Guidelines. As per the Guidelines the budget “may be used to co-fund developmental activities covered by the annual budget” and that nothing has been mentioned regarding SDP, which means that GDG cannot be used for those activities which are covered by SDP.

The Tshogpa was resolute about the Chiwog’s decision and informed that the Chiwog will be responsible if any issue arises in the future. The Tshogpa also informed the floor that it has been discussed in the meeting held at the Chiwog and mentioned in the minutes of the meeting. The members supported the idea and granted the permission to use the money for the construction of Satshangma Lhakhang Farm road.

Presenter 4: Tashiyangong Tshogpa

The Tshogpa informed the floor that if they could secure the SDP budget for the construction of Tashiyangong farm road, they would use the GDG for the construction of Satshangma Lhakhang farm road.

Presenter 5: Satshangma Tshogpa

The Tshogpa informed that the budget will be used for the maintenance of Dungkarcholing via Satshangma to Nyzergang farm road as the road was badly damaged by heavy rainfall with big potholes, which has created a huge problem to the public and the staffs of Salami school.

The GYT members agreed with his proposal.

The Gup requested all the Tshogpas to be dedicated and take initiative in carrying out the proposed activities and to get the necessary support and guidance from the Gewog Administration and the Site Engineer whenever required.

With no further points for deliberation, the meeting was adjourned.

Ms. Damcho

Kilkhorthang Gewog, Tsirang