RESPONSES RECEIVED FROM AGENCIES OF THE ROYAL GOVERNMENT TO 16TH SESSION CONSTITUENCY ISSUES SUBMITTED BY THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF BHUTAN ON DECEMBER 18, 2015 Contents 1. Ministry of Agriculture & Forest ............................................................................ 6 1.1 More Grants for Biogas Projects ......................................................................................................... 6 Agency’s Response ................................................................................................................................ 6 1.2 Compensation for Wildlife Attack ....................................................................................................... 6 Agency’s Response ................................................................................................................................ 6 1.3 Additional Acreage for Community Forest ......................................................................................... 7 Agency’s Response ................................................................................................................................ 7 1.4 CF’s Encroachment on Other Communities ........................................................................................ 8 Agency’s Response ................................................................................................................................ 8 1.5 Compensation for Loss of Land to Farm Roads .................................................................................. 8 Agency’s Response ................................................................................................................................ 9 1.6 Livestock Officer for Mikuri Community ............................................................................................. 9 Agency’s Response ................................................................................................................................ 9 1.7 Human Wildlife Conflict .................................................................................................................... 10 Agency’s Response .............................................................................................................................. 10 1.8 Construction of Farm Road and Its Maintenance ............................................................................. 11 Agency’s Response .............................................................................................................................. 11 1.9 Law and Order Concern around Cordycep Harvest Season .............................................................. 12 Agency’s Response .............................................................................................................................. 12 1.10 Subsidy for Electric Fencing component of Farming Support Initiative ......................................... 12 Agency’s Response .............................................................................................................................. 13 2. Ministry of Works & Human Settlements .............................................................. 14 2.1 Renewal of Land Lease for Autsho Yenlag Thromde ........................................................................ 14 Agency’s Response .............................................................................................................................. 14 2.2 Suspension Bridge at Yonglagangchu under Gangzur Gewog .......................................................... 14 Agency’s Response .............................................................................................................................. 15 1 2.3 Loss of Community Forest Resources ............................................................................................... 15 Agency’s Response .............................................................................................................................. 15 2.4 Blacktopping of Farm Road ............................................................................................................... 15 Agency’s Response .............................................................................................................................. 16 2.5 Road Right of Way Standing in Right of Landowners ....................................................................... 16 Agency’s Response .............................................................................................................................. 16 2.6 GSB for Khenadang Road .................................................................................................................. 16 Agency’s Response .............................................................................................................................. 17 2.7 Need for Maintenance of Nganglam Road ....................................................................................... 17 Agency’s Response .............................................................................................................................. 17 3. Ministry of Information and Communications ...................................................... 18 3.1 Poor Mobile Phone Connectivity ...................................................................................................... 18 Agency’s Response .............................................................................................................................. 18 3.2 Less Time for Emission Test .............................................................................................................. 19 Agency’s Response .............................................................................................................................. 19 3.3 Helicopter Services in Lunana ........................................................................................................... 20 Agency’s Response .............................................................................................................................. 20 4. Ministry of Finance .................................................................................................. 20 4.1 Refund of Costs Paid for Excess Land................................................................................................ 20 Agency’s Response .............................................................................................................................. 20 4.2 Retention of Lagthrams by Financial Institutions ............................................................................. 21 Agency’s Response .............................................................................................................................. 21 4.3 Insurance for public properties ......................................................................................................... 21 Agency’s Response .............................................................................................................................. 21 4.4 Life Insurance for Children ................................................................................................................ 22 Agency’s Response .............................................................................................................................. 22 4.5 Equitable Gewog Development Grant .............................................................................................. 22 Agency’s Response .............................................................................................................................. 22 5. Ministry of Education .............................................................................................. 23 5.1 Concern over Closure of Community School .................................................................................... 23 Agency’s Response .............................................................................................................................. 23 2 5.2 Need to Re-open Community School ................................................................................................ 24 Agency’s Response .............................................................................................................................. 24 6. Ministry of Health .................................................................................................... 25 6.1 Health Assistance at Segtena and Phentena village ......................................................................... 25 Agency’s Response: ............................................................................................................................. 25 6.2 Shortage of Health Personnel ........................................................................................................... 25 Agency’s Response .............................................................................................................................. 26 6.3 Need for Ultrasound Facility ............................................................................................................. 26 Agency’s Response .............................................................................................................................. 26 7. Ministry of Home & Cultural Affairs ....................................................................... 26 7.1 Extension Offices of Gewog Centres for Larger Gewogs