The National Assembly has once again cancelled the communication allowance for parliamentarians, heads of constitutional offices, and other heads along with civil servants. The National Council had recommended the house reinstate the allowance. The NA adopted the Pay Structure Reform Bill of Bhutan today.
Considering the country’s economic situation, the Economic and Finance Committee chairperson Kinga Penjor said they could not accept the National Council’s recommendation to reinstate the communication allowance. The Member of Parliament for Gangzur-Minjey said the total expenditure from giving communications allowance comes to about Nu. 37 million.
“For local government leaders, it comes at about more than Nu. 300,000,” he said. “This amount can even construct a bridge. Also, this is a time when the country doesn’t have money.”
The house also agreed with the committee against reinstating the allowance.
While the Bill initially retained the allowance, the NA dropped it along with internet data charges during its third reading. The National Council then reinstated the communications allowance but agreed on the cancellation of internet data charges.
Meanwhile, the National Assembly agreed with the National Council’s recommendation of a new section concerning designated duty vehicles for Members of Parliament. According to the new section, MPs shall either be provided with a designated duty vehicle each or a one-time vehicle purchase grant along with driver and fuel and maintenance allowances. The government will have the option to choose whether to designate duty vehicles or give the one-time grant along with the allowances.
Section 63 of the Bill also states that designated duty vehicles shall be given to EX3 position levels and above until reviewed and rationalized by the government.
The National Council submitted twelve recommendations on the Bill, of which the house accepted all except for reinstating the communications allowance.
With this, all 42 members present in the house voted in favour of the Bill.
The Bill will now be submitted for Royal assent.
Kinley Dem
Edited by Yeshi Gyaltshen
