Monitoring drayangs

December 3, 2010Posted 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

December 1, 2010Posted 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

November 30, 2010Posted 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

November 28, 2010Posted 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

November 28, 2010Posted 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

November 25, 2010Posted 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

November 25, 2010Posted 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?

November 23, 2010Posted 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

November 22, 2010Posted 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…

Royal address

November 19, 2010Posted inMonarchy7 Comments

His Majesty the King addressed the nation during the opening session of the Sixth Session of the Parliament this morning. The official transcript of the Royal Address follows:
Since assuming Kingship in December 2006, I have travelled outside Bhutan four times – each time it has been to India. Indo-Bhutan friendship is of paramount importance and something we hold dear. We must always work to further strengthen and deepen it. In October this year, I visited Kolkata and New Delhi. I found in my meetings with the President, Prime Minister, Chairperson of the UPA, ministers, government officials and leader of the Opposition, a common heartfelt appreciation for Bhutan’s achievements as a nation, and a steadfast commitment and pledge to strengthen even further what they feel is a model partnership and bond between countries.
We are presently undertaking the mid-term review of the 10th 5-year Plan. India’s assistance has been wholehearted and generous to the first development plan under our new democracy. On behalf of the people of Bhutan, I convey my deep appreciation to the Government and People of India.
Upon my return from India, I went directly to Bumthang to the site of the tragic fire in Chamkhar town.

Question Hour questions

November 17, 2010Posted inLegislature
Responding to the agenda for the National Assembly’s sixth session, one reader, “sonam_t”, asked if there were any plans to discuss a “Right to Information Act”. “Truth”, another reader, asked if when Parliament would “… introduce Landlord Tenant act, which actually protects tenants.” Both the comments are important. And, since both of them will not be discussed during the sixth session, I might raise them during Question Hour. The Question Hour, which takes place every Tuesday and Friday, is an important mechanism in the National Assembly by which members can question every aspect of government administration and policy. So…

Funding BBS

November 14, 2010Posted inMedia
The Bhutan Centre for Media and Democracy and the BBS recently got together last week to organize a seminar on the nature and role of public service broadcasting in Bhutan. The two-day seminar, which was meant to discuss public service media and broadcasting in general, generated a good deal of attention on the way BBS is organized and run. Such scrutiny is good for BBS’s health. In fact, it is vital, especially if the Kingdom’s oldest and main broadcaster is to achieve its vision of becoming “A trusted public service broadcaster of international standing …” The BBS was delinked…

Anticorruption (Amendment) Bill

November 12, 2010Posted inLegislature
One of the most important legislations that the National Assembly will debate during the sixth session is the Anticorruption (Amendment) Bill 2010. The National Council had resolved to amend the Anticorruption Act 2006 during its third session. And based on that, the Council’s Good Governance Committee and ACC officials carried out a review of the Act. The Act was revised to clarify and rationalize some of its provisions with other laws including the Penal Code of Bhutan and the Civil and Criminal Procedure Code of Bhutan. It was also revised to ensure compliance with the United Nations Convention Against…

Portrait of a Leader

November 11, 2010Posted inMonarchy
Mieko Nishimizu sat in silence, absorbing every word on her laptop screen. It was the 16th of December 2006.  The sun had not yet risen over her home in the British Virgin Islands. And she’d just received the Fourth Druk Gyalpo’s last Kasho – a simple announcement abdicating the Golden Throne and handing over the responsibilities of Druk Gyalpo to our new King, His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. As tears welled up in her eyes, she reminded herself that she had anticipated this announcement, not in 2008 as most of us expected, but much earlier, on the National…

Sixth session

November 10, 2010Posted inLegislature9 Comments
The 6th session of the Parliament is scheduled to begin on the 19th of November. During this session, which will go on till the 10th of December, the National Assembly will consider the following bills: Child Care and Protection Bill Penal Code (Amendment) Bill Anticorruption (Amendment) Bill Civil and Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill Sales Tax, Customs and Excise (Amendment) Bill Public Finance (Amendment) Bill Land Act (Amendment) Bill Election (Amendment) Bill The government will submit reports on actions taken on the following resolutions of the National Assembly: Pay revision Zhaptog lemi Constituency development grant National minimum wage rage The…