The Democracy was introduced in
our country in 2008. Since then, our country becomes world’s youngest
democratic nation in the world. The two parties came up with their manifestos
and candidates to contest for the election. The first Nationwide Election was
held on 24th March 2008 where the Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) -the
Bhutan Peace and Prosperity Party was elected as Ruling Party. Druk Phuensum
Tshogpa formed the first Democratically Elected Government. The People’s
Democratic Party (PDP) won two seats in National Assembly and formed Opposition
Party -the world’s smallest Opposition Party.
Since then, the elected government
brought numerous changes in the country, in various ways. The road network has
been enhanced, mobile network stations are installed, etc. in every nook and
corner of the country. The Information Technology (IT) Park was also
established in Thimphu. The government works hard for the benefit of the people
in various ways. The developmental strategies were changed.
The Education City was proposed
and also started the construction of fundamental facilities such as road,
bridge, electricity, etc. to make access to where Education City will be
stationed. The construction works are underway. The Education City was supposed
to be stationed on the hills between Capital City -Thimphu and International
Airport –Paro and just above Chuzom opposite to Wang Sisina. If the Education
City is being legally approved by National land Commission, it would be beneficial
for the upcoming generations and also create employment opportunities. The
economy of the country would have improved in near future. The government
project site development works are awarded to local contractor since 2012 and
is ongoing.
According to the news, the
controversy of legality of the land was raised by National Land Commission
since the proposal for the Project. According to the news from the media
houses, “the Education City has act and not the land”. The Education City act
was tabled in parliament when DPT was ruling. National Land Commission wrote
several letters to Education City Secretariat, where there was no response. However,
many people holding land near the project site were extremely contented. The
people from other localities bought land nearby expecting the future prospect.
Some sold their land at very high rate.
The issue regarding legality of
land was raised by South Thimphu Candidate during election Campaign. The people
from around the country questioned regarding land to the candidates but the
questions were whether DPT ministers and MPs own land nearby or in the boundary
of Education City or not. The issue was left untouched.
Now the new government came to
the power. The People’s Democratic Party –the ruling party is in office for
more than eight months, after National Land Commission proved the Education
City land is illegal, closed the project before reaching to its height. The
project site developers are in the verge of completing the works on time. The
road already reached the border of the Education City, reverie to be
established. The bridge will soon be seen over the Wangchu River.
When biggest ever project
related to Education is stopped, the different kind of questions are generating
within the people, timely. Why did previous government start such illegal
project? Why Education City Project Secretariat didn’t response the letters of
National Land Commission regarding legality of the land? Why Opposition didn’t
oppose while tabling the act? Why new government would find solutions to solve
the controversy rather than closing it?
The several questions are
generated in all most all the peoples’ mind. Now what will be the outcome of
such a huge investment on site development works is already done? The Bitumen
was procured and reach to the. Will this site will turn into Park or other
important and interesting place which is beneficial for the people living in
the capital city and nearby districts.
Some people say that the reason
for stopping the Education City Project is perhaps due to illegality of the
land, no water source, etc. If supposed the project continues, the huge amount
of investment will be on water supply. This location is not good at all even it’s
located nearby capital city and International Airport.
Some suggests, if the project
was in eastern Bhutan or central Bhutan it would have not stopped.
The people have ambiguity
feelings on the legality of the land. This will remain ambiguity for the
people, forever until the site changed to any other productive places.
The question left for the
people is, who will be responsible for the investment incurred so far?
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