Govt. did not violate constitution: PM

Sonam Phuntsho, Thimphu
Jun 24, 2017

The Prime Minister says the government did not breach the constitution as alleged by Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa (DNT).

The DNT, last week, accused the government of violating constitution by imposing fiscal incentives policy without passing it through the parliament.  The party went on to demand the resignations of the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister on moral grounds.

At Meet the Press session yesterday, the Prime minister explained that the government has not violated the constitution. “Our interpretation is the Supreme Court verdict, which makes it very clear that fiscal incentives were discussed, and deemed to be prerogative of the government and the provisions of the Sales Tax, Customs and Excise Act 2000 were not required to be changed,” said Lyonchhen.

“Similarly, the Income Tax 2001 was not required to be changed by  the Supreme Court and then the parliament, in its collective wisdom, passed the Customs Act in 2017,  which allows government again to give customs duty break to persons including businesses in the interest of the nation,” added the Lyonchhen.

The Prime Minister also lashed out at the party saying it is desperate for media attention. “I know they are motivated not by the interest of the country but motivated to glorify their party, and trying to get the government to respond to them so that they are seen as vigilant, intelligent, loyal and patriotic,” said Lyonchhen.

Lyonchhen also said he would personally explain if there is a reason good enough to believe that something is corrupt or illegal.