The National Assembly today, discussed the need to bring about uniform rules and regulation among the armed forces in the country. The member in charge of the Bill proposed new sections in the Bill to treat Royal Bhutan Police like the Royal Bhutan Army and the Royal Body Guard. The representative of the Home and Cultural Affairs Minister, Dr Tandi Dorji introduced the RBP Amendment Bill.
One of the new sections in the bill states that RBP shall be treated as RBA and RBG regarding rank structure, appointment, promotion and removal, positions and tenure and salary, allowances, benefits and other emoluments.
“We are amending as to treat all equally. We want to improve and enhance the RBP institution. Some sections need to be repealed,” said Foreign Minister Dr Tandi Dorji, the representative of the Home And Cultural Affairs Minister.
“The main objective is to treat the RBP like RBA and RBG. Therefore, even in the case of a criminal offence, the institution should treat the police personnel like that of RBA and RBG,” said Ugyen Wangdi, the Member of Parliament of Dramedtse_Ngatshang.
Several other new sections on the programme for convicts and detention room are also included in the Bill. Other members also expressed several recommendations.
“Besides benefits and entitlement, the bill should include training for capacity building and to enhance knowledge,” said Kinley Wangchuk, the MP of Athang Thedtsho.
“Since police personnel have to deal with people, it is important to improve their communication skills. It is also important for them to know laws,” added Kinga Penjor, the Gangzur Minjey MP.
As per the Bill, 16 other sections are being repealed. To this, the Prime Minister said the social and cultural committee should review the sections that are being repealed as some are important. However, the Bill will be discussed only in the sixth session after the review by the social and cultural committee.
Meanwhile, the member in charge of the Local Government (Amendment) Bill moved the motion to withdraw the deliberation on the Bill as it requires more research. And the house decided to withdraw after a majority of the members of the parliament agreed.
Tshering Zam/Pema Seldon Tshering/Kinley Dem
