Introducing the Civil Society Organisation (Amendment) Bill 2021, the legislative committee of the National Council recommended providing adequate human resources and financial support to the Civil Society Organisation (CSO) Authority. The Chairperson of the legislative committee said, since its inception in 2010, the CSO Authority has not received any sort of capital budget from the government.
“There is budget to fulfil basic amenities but no budget at all to follow their standard operating procedure and to develop policies. There is no budget to enhance their skills as well. There is money just to sustain themselves but no budget to develop and evolve efficiently,” added Eminent Member Phuntsho Rapten, the Chairperson of the committee.
While some of the members supported the recommendation, some felt that it required specificity.
“When we say we have to give adequate budget, the word ‘adequate’ is confusing. For instance, if 100,000 is enough for one person, it may not be enough for the other person. It depends on how you make good use of the resources. This recommendation to provide adequate financial provisions can become challenging. We need to think of how much is enough budget for the various CSOs,” said Nima, the Bumthang MP.
“I do not see the need to mention specific budget allocation for the CSOs but I agree with the committee’s recommendation of giving adequate budget for the CSOs. Based on the capability of the authority and with change in time, CSOs can be developed competently with this recommendation,” said Dorji Khandu, the Gasa MP.
Meanwhile, Tshewang Tobgyel, the member secretariat of the CSO Authority said it would be a huge relief for both CSOs and the authority if the government approves the recommendation.
“Besides the regulatory mandate, the CSO authority has the mandate to facilitate the internal management and administration of the CSOs. If the amendment goes through that the government is going to support the CSOs authority in terms of budget, the capital work of the CSOS then I think the benefit will be first derived by the CSOS. If the budget is allocated for the authority then the activities and all the plans and programmes will gear towards enhancing the governance of the CSOs.”
Further, the House also deliberated on the composition of the authority, endowment fund limit of CSOs, removal from the register, accounting and reporting system, annual audit and annual reports among others.
The House directed the Committee to consult and re-deliberate with the concerned members on the disputed sections of the Bill and submit for the final adoption.
Currently, there are 53 active registered CSOs and 25 pending applications for CSOs.
Kinzang Lhadon/Kelzang Choden
