The DP forum “Mongol Citizen 2020” was held in Baganuur district last Sunday.

In attendance were First Deputy Premier and DP Chairman N.Altankhuyag; DP Secretary General D.Erdenebat; Ulaanbaatar DP leader Sh.Tuvdendorj; MPs Ya.Batsuuri, L.Gantumur, L.Gundalai, and G.Bayarsaikhan; and Baganuur DP leader B.Byambadorj.
Participants noted that Baganuur district has neither a health center nor specialized doctors, so residents of the district must go to Ulaanbaatar for health care.

1,080 workers in Baganuur are employed in mining and 300 in a metallurgy factory. Participants suggested that the district should be afforded the status of city, not district. The district does not have a power plant, but residents noted that the fifth power plant could be built in Baganuur, which would be beneficial to mining operations and cheaper than building the plant in Ulaanbaatar.

Residents also complained that managing officials have not implemented employment programs in any meaningful way. For example, the administration has spent MNT 8.4 billion for building construction and repair in the district, but only MNT 100 million on employment programs. They say that is why the private sector has not developed in Baganuur.

Participants said that if Baganuur were to be classified a city, then it would develop. The discussion revealed that remote districts of the capital have many of the same challenges as remote aimags, and residents have many problems, especially when it comes to health care and education.