The National Council adopted the Tourism Levy and Exemption (Amendment) Bill of Bhutan 2020 today with amendments from the House including four more Dzongkhags of Chhukha, Gasa, Haa and Samtse in the list to exempt payment of tourism levy, taking the number to 15 Dzongkhags.
Deliberating on the Bill, yesterday, some members of the National Council shared that the list of the dzongkhags exempted from tourism levy should be based on research and the list should be deleted from the Bill as it will create inequality within the country. However, some members also raised the issue of equitable development across the Dzongkhags and proposed including these four Dzongkhags.
The National Assembly during this session deliberated on the recommendations made by the Environment and Climate Change on the Bill and sent to National Council after adoption. The Bill was introduced recently to the Upper House by the Finance Minister.
The Bill shall be forwarded to the National Assembly for re-deliberation along with the amendments and recommendations adopted by the House.
Kinley Dem
