Prime Minister Dr. Lotay Tshering, said the government would be able to confirm the grant amount of 12th Five-Year-Plan (FYP) from donor partners once the electricity export tariff for Mangdechhu Hydropower Project is finalised.
Lyonchhen remarked this during the first Media Meet programme, held at Gyalyong Tshogkhang, Thimphu on Friday.
Prime Minister appeared before the local media and presented the details of the 12th FYP, which amounts to roughly Nu 310bn.
This is an increase by Nu 97bn as compared to the total budget outlay of the 11th Five-Year-Plan.
The government is banking on the electricity export tariff to increase the country’s internal revenue, which is mainly used for current expenditure. It includes salaries of public servants, renovation funds of public infrastructure and expenses for daily affairs of the government.
“When it comes to grants from donor partner, we will go as per the strength of our internal revenue. We will confirm the Mangdechhu project’s tariff anytime this month,” says the Prime Minister.
He also commented that the Government of India (GoI) has committed their continued assistance for the 12th Five-Year-Plan.
“GoI has committed to fund the 12th plan. But we haven’t decided on the grant amount. But as have been the past trend, GoI has committed to positively look into the government’s needs,” asserts the Prime Minister.
During the recent tour of Bhutanese journalists to India, the Ministry of External Affairs said the government will go in line with the Bhutanese government’s priorities.
India has been Bhutan’s largest development partner since the inception of Five-Year-Plan development programme in early 1960s.
