A Primary Study on the Practical Implementation Practices and Issues of Community Contracting Protocol in Dewathang Gewog, Samdrup Jongkhar Bhutan

Abstract

Recently, media reports of community contracts have increased due to problems with the implementation of the Community Contracting Protocols (CCP) among the policymakers and local government officials in the Kingdom of Bhutan. Most of the media reported that it played a crucial role in promoting economic and social development in the community, but also reported common challenges related to project failures and other technical difficulties. The Dewathang Gewog(Block) under Samdrup Jongkhar Dzongkhag(district), Eastern Bhutan is one of the active CCP implementers in the country. As a result, the gewog officials and community contractors have been confronted with a series of challenges and difficulties like most other Gewogs faced in Bhutan. However, the claims must be meticulously validated through academic research and inform the public accordingly because they may carry incomplete assumptions of the CCP in the country. Few or no previous study has been conducted in Bhutan so far using statistical tests to assess the practice and implementation issues of the CCP. This study focuses on identifying the key implementation challenges of the CCP in the Gewog. The Gewog had carried out several community projects over the past three years (2018-2020). The study was carried out within three months. The target population size was 41, determined from the seven dispersed project sites. Only people who were mainly involved in the implementation of the community projects in the last three years were considered. By following the cluster random sampling process, the sample size(30) was selected as the respondents for the study. Data were collected from them through a survey and face-to-face interview with the key informants. The hypotheses were tested with a chi-square test based on data obtained from the respondents and processed with Microsoft Excel. The results were presented in tabular and graphical form with interpretations for better understanding. The study found that Gewog officials and community groups faced challenges such as project delays, lack of coordination, poor monitoring and supervision, cost overruns. In addition, the study also found out that the Gewog office has ensured community participation through CCP despite the challenges. Strict performance monitoring (tracking progress), capacity building and problem-solving through field visits to identify obstacles are the possible recommendations proposed in the study. The study also recommends that the relevant agencies review the CCP as appropriate and make it feasible and enforceable.