It was decided by the Government in the year 2004-2005 to establish a Vocational Training Institute at Khar Gewog in Pema Gatsel. However nothing has been initiated till date and this has not been included in the tenth plan either. Therefore the people would like to know regarding the matter.

The Government could not institute the Vocational Training centre in Pema Gatsel as decided due to financial constraint. The Government has plans to start a Vocational Training Institute in Sarpang and an Institute of Zorig Chusum in Tsirang. The Government of India has also offered support to build one Vocational Training Institute for each Hydro Power Project. However we decided that few Vocational Training Institutes will be instituted instead of one Vocational Training Institute for each Hydro project. We have also discussed that the priority shall be given to Pema Gatsel and Zhemgang for establishment of such institutes.

What plan does the government have to ease the housing problem by leasing the unutilized government lands and quarters to relevant corporations, Agencies and Private sectors?

The government does have plans to build houses jointly with the private sectors. The Ministry is also surveying with regard to the government land and a report will be submitted to the Cabinet and then implement the work accordingly.

What are the plans of the Government to mitigate the growing alcohol and substance abuse cases and its impact on the youth?

It is a very serious issue. The number of drug traffickers and substance abuse is on the rise and despite 132 apprehended cases in 2008; none were convicted under second degree felony which is very concerning. A rehabilitation center is going to be soon established at Gidagom. The Ministry is also surveying the substance abuse cases around the country with UN fund and work accordingly.

The Pay revision for civil servants, ESPs and GSCs were in the last pay revision. However, the daily wages for laborers were not affected. Laborers requested revision of their daily wages based on the following consideration, such as the rise in the price of the commodities and rising need to maintain the daily living and provide education to the children. In of the above, What are the measures and plans of the Ministry?

Besides daily wages the government is also providing facilities like free housing, water supply, transportation for children going to school and others. The working environment of the laborers, whether they are working in a high altitude or low will also be considered and then decide on the issue accordingly.

In the urban areas, there are varied minimum plot size requirement such as 7 decimal, 13 decimal, 25 decimal, etc. Since all the plots falls within the Thromde, people feel that there is no equity and justice for such policies. Therefore, what are the Ministry plans and policies to make such different sizes into a uniform size in the future?

The location of the land is also to be considered when it comes to variation in plot sizes within Thromde. By and large the policy of the government is in the best interest of the nation.