Finance Minister Namgay Tshering
The finance minister was asked on the government’s plans and measures to tackle impacts of pay revision in the National Council yesterday. The council members highlighted possibilities of increase in the price of commodities and house rents.
Following the introduction of Pay Revision Bill in the House by the finance minister, some members raised concerns on how the current pay revision for only around 40,000 civil servants narrows the gap and reduce inequality.
The Gasa MP said the prices for commodities and house rent is same for everyone. He asked about the government’s plan for the private sector development and for the welfare of the private sector employees. They asked whether the pay revision will have adverse effects on the economy with the country having huge debt.
The Finance Minister Namgay Tshering said the guiding principles behind formulating the pay revision was to protect erosion of income from past-unadjusted inflation, linking salaries to performance and enhancing the post-retirement benefits, while also attempting to ensure parity of pay, allowances, and benefits.
“If you have watched BBS you must have seen, we have requested the building owners not to raise the house rent and we have tenancy act as well and we will monitor that. And if the price for goods increases, we have consumer protection under economics affairs ministry.”
The House further deliberated on the Pay Revision Bill today.
