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Tinley Nangai
The country’s cultural development will be given a major boost with the budget allocation for the 13th Five-Year Plan reaching Ngultrum 4.577 billion, a record high, an increase of 55 percent over the 12th Five-Year Plan. Now 2.56B.
The announcement was made yesterday at a coordination meeting on the implementation of the 13th Five-Year Plan with local government leaders in Thimphu.Department of Culture and Dzongkhag Development (DCDD) and Dratshang Lhentshog is the main agency responsible for implementing these plans. Of the 4.577 billion Nu, 3.852 billion Nu was allocated to DCDD and 947 million Nu was allocated to Dratshang Lhentshog.
The budget will be used to promote and preserve the numerous cultural heritage sites across the country, as well as other initiatives to promote Bhutanese culture and traditions.
As of 2023, DCDD has documented 2,165 sites across the country.
Despite the significant budget increase, local leaders have expressed dissatisfaction with the distribution of funds among the dzongkhags.
Some local leaders say certain dzongkhags have received too high a budget. They also question the prioritization of cultural heritage protection, as some important sites have been left out of the plan.
Local leaders stressed the need to include local input when developing the plan to ensure fair and effective resource allocation.
Many gups asked the DCDD and Dratshang Lhentshog to review the plan and budget allocation.
Gups also stressed that local governments in the past had limited autonomy to use block grants to build or maintain cultural sites.
Officials from the Central Development Ministry and Drasang Lengsog explained that the plans were prepared taking into account the national economy and the recommendations of the various dzongkhags. Nevertheless, they agreed to review the plans in response to the concerns raised.
The DCDD outlined plans to use cultural heritage as a catalyst for social cohesion, national identity and economic development. Some of the major projects include the construction of the Sarbon Dzong at a cost of Nu 522 million, the establishment of the Royal Academy of Performing Arts at a cost of Nu 500 million, the construction of the Gyalsung Lhakhangs at a cost of Nu 468 million, and the Tango Restoration Project worth Nu 376.08 million.
DCDD officials said private temples registered with Choedey Lhentshog and providing benefits to the community may receive support depending on budgetary conditions and local government priorities.
The DCDD also plans to give priority to developing new religious sites in areas that lack such facilities. In addition, any capital works in dzongs and lakhangs where major works have been carried out in the past two decades will be downgraded unless urgently required due to disasters.
DCCD officials said local leaders must consult the department before starting works to electrify the site. Of the Nu947 million allocated to Dratshang Lhentshog, Nu897 million was earmarked for infrastructure construction, with the remaining Nu50 million for softer components.
Of the 897 million Nus allocated for infrastructure, the highest budget was in Thimphu at 230.4 million Nus, followed by Ha’a at 147.1 million Nus. The lowest budgets were in Gaza at 5.57 million Nus and Trahiantsa at 11.2 million Nus.
Lhasashan Lengsog has planned 123 activities during the 13th Five-Year Plan period. However, construction projects related to community lakangs, elderly centers, seasonal housing, hotels and social service centers are not included in the plan.
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