Live TV

Posted inMedia
The sixth session of the Parliament has concluded. And again, during this session too, the National Assembly did not allow its proceedings to be broadcast on live TV. But this time, the Assembly allowed the Question Hour discussions to be carried on live TV.  That’s a slight improvement. And I welcome it. And hope that, from the next session on, BBS will once again be allowed to cover the National Assembly’s entire proceedings on live TV. On a related note, BBS’s own efforts at covering the Parliament’s discussions seem to have regressed. Till the last session, BBS would, after…

Respect, honesty, pride

Posted inEducation
Thimphu Primary School graduated their first batch of students this morning. 21 children who had recently appeared for their first board exams received certificates from their principal, Ma’am Carolyn Tshering. In her final speech to her outgoing students, Ma’am Carolyn urged them to never forget the all-important values of respect, honesty and pride that their school had taught them. I’m reproducing her speech below to share her timeless message with students, teachers and parents throughout our country. This week’s banner celebrates primary education in Bhutan. Ladies and Gentlemen welcome to our first ever Graduation .  In most western countries…

Good news

Posted inGovernment, Legislature21 Comments
The National Assembly has endorsed the government’s proposal to increase the salaries of public servants. Here’s the good news: Civil Servants will get a 20% raise over their pre-2009 salaries. Pre-2009 is used as a base as that was when salaries were last increased (by 35%), taking the total increase to 55%. Civil service salaries will now range from Nu 7,067 (for GSC II staff) to Nu 52,654 a month (for EX-1/ES-1 level). Secretaries to Government will draw Nu 55,490 a month. And the Cabinet Secretary will get Nu 63,000. That makes the Cabinet Secretary Bhutan’s top civil servant.…

Totally redundant

Posted inLegislature
Yesterday, the National Assembly passed the Sales Tax, Customs and Excise (Amendment) Bill, and the Public Finance (Amendment) Bill. The two of us in the opposition party had argued that the bills would violate the Constitution, and, in the end, only the two of us voted against the bills. The two amendments could allow the government to impose and raise taxes without having to seek the Parliament’s approval. The bills will now be forwarded to the National Council, who will discuss them in the next session. If they pass the bills, the amendments will come into effect. If not,…

Vice ministers?

Posted inGovernment
What? The prime minister wants to call secretaries vice-ministers? Why? Who do we want to impress? Shouldn’t we focus on streamlining the civil service instead? Shouldn’t we be working towards making the civil service small, compact and efficient? Where did the prime minister get this idea from anyway? Where would vice ministers draw their legal basis from? And under what legal authority would they function? What? The RCSC is in the dark? Really?

Wanted: more guarantees

Posted inGovernment
I am impressed with Lyonpo Dorji Wangdi’s confidence. When the labour minister called for a ban on drayangs, he guaranteed jobs for all the women who currently work in drayangs. And I’m quite sure that, if he had to, he could keep this promise. But here’s something he should think about: the women working in drayangs already have jobs. So they don’t need his bold assurances. Unemployed youth, on the other hand, would welcome his guarantees. After all, they are the ones who are desperate for work. So provide out-of-school youth with gainful employment. Then they themselves would choose…

Monitoring drayangs

Posted inLegislature
The public of Paro informed the National Assembly that drayangs and discotheques cause societal problems and upset the social harmony. So they suggested that strict licensing and operating rules should be developed in order to reduce the numbers of such entertainment centres. When discussing this matter yesterday, MPs, focusing mainly on drayangs, complained that these businesses lured young women from the villages, underpaid them and subject them to sexual harassment. So a couple of MPs pushed for an outright ban on drayangs. But, thankfully, the majority favoured developing clearer policies and regulations, and leaving licensing and enforcement to local…

Lottery questions

Posted inGovernment
During Question Hour yesterday, I asked the finance minister two straightforward questions: “What action has the Royal Government taken to investigate alleged violations by Bhutan’s lottery agent in India?” “What action has the Royal Government taken to investigate alleged violations in the manner the lottery agent was appointed and reappointed?” The finance minister’s reply was a long-winded narrative about the history of Bhutan lottery. And an elaborate recount of how the government selected their lottery agent, and how, later, reduced that agent’s contractual obligations. But the finance minister did not answer the question: has the government investigated the alleged…

Appealling justice

Posted inJustice
Yesterday, after learning that the government was appealing the High Court’s verdict, Bhutan Today sent me some questions. With their permission, I’m reproducing their questions and my answers here. What do you think about the government appealing to the Supreme Court? I am pleased that the government has decided to appeal to the Supreme Court, as they were obviously not satisfied with the High Court’s verdict. Remember that the government has the right to appeal to the Supreme Court. As far as the opposition party is concerned, we respect the government’s decision to appeal, and will submit to the…

UN Security Council

Posted inGovernment, International
"In the years ahead, I look forward to a reformed United Nations Security Council that includes India as a permanent member," US President Obama recently announced in India’s Parliament. And just like that, after years of demanding a permanent seat in the Security Council, India’s bid received a powerful boost. India is the world’s second most populous country. Its economy, already among the biggest in the world, is one of the fastest growing. And it is playing an increasingly important role in global affairs. So the US president’s pledge is timely. His assurances are good for India, and indeed,…

Blasting the media

Posted inMedia11 Comments
A cartoon dominated the front cover of today’s The Journalist. The caricature features a hooded hangman lighting the fuse on a stick of dynamite that will blow up four newspapers. Kuensel and Observer are shown applauding the hangman’s efforts, while the public watches the dangerous proceedings in complete indifference. So who is this hooded hangman?

Stop violence against women

Posted inWomen
“Commit, Act and Demand: We can stop violence against women” This week’s banner celebrates International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women.

Funding parties

Posted inLegislature, Political parties
The ruling party today submitted a motion to amend the Election Act 2008. The motion sailed through the National Assembly, with only two members – both from the opposition party – objecting to it. The proposed amendment seeks to include a new provision in the Election Act that would permit state funding for political parties. According to Section 158 of the Election Act: The income of political parties shall be made up of: (a) Registration fee; (b) Membership fees; and (c) Voluntary Contributions from registered members. Section 158 was debated extensively during the first session of the Parliament when…

Relief for relief fund?

Posted inLegislature, Monarchy
During Question Hour today, I requested the Hon’ble Home Minister to report on the status of the Relief Fund. In particular, I asked him if he, as the minister in charge of disaster management, would propose legislation to establish the Relief Fund. According to Article 14 Section 12 of the Constitution: Parliament shall establish a relief fund and the Druk Gyalpo shall have the prerogative to use this fund for urgent and unforeseen humanitarian relief. Bhutan’s first Parliament has already met five times. And the sixth session is currently on. Yet, and in spite of the opposition party’s repeated…

Felicitating the Judiciary

Posted inDemocracy, Justice
The High Court has rendered judgment on Bhutan’s first constitutional case. The esteemed Court ruled that the taxes imposed by the government earlier this year are unlawful, and ordered the government to refund those taxes. The Court also issued an injunction preventing the government from raising taxes without the Parliament’s approval. The High Court’s landmark verdict has been hailed as a victory for the opposition party. And the opposition has received numerous congratulatory messages. We are duly humbled. And grateful for the good wishes. But, the felicitations are misguided. The Court’s verdict, in fact, is not a victory for…