At the Question Hour session today, issues were raised about people still having to use the Check Post Management System (CPMS) at the border gates while entering and exiting the country. To this, the Home Affairs Minister said the CPMS will remain a necessity at the borders due to its crucial role in upholding national security.
Dewathang-Gomdar MP, Ugyen Dorji, expressed concerns about the ongoing requirement for citizens to use the Check Post Management System when entering and exiting the country through border gates.
While acknowledging the benefits of the system, the MP argued that it creates inconveniences during travel, leading to significant delays at the border gates.
“People who live at the borders are the ones facing the most inconvenience. This is because people, even if they cross the border to nearby areas just to buy groceries, not only have to do CPMS but have to also provide their original ID cards at the borders. This sometimes leads to people having to wait for hours,” said Ugyen Dorji, Dewathang-Gomdar MP.
Responding to the concerns, the Minister for Home Affairs emphasised that the CPMS plays a vital role in maintaining national security, especially regarding issues with the country’s security exposed during the pandemic. The minister cited recent successes with the CPMS in preventing criminal activities and helping the citizens.
“The CPMS has a lot of benefits. In a matter of just a few months, the police caught 35 people who were trying to enter the country illegally. The system also helped in catching 354 people who were trying to flee the country to avoid punishment. Moreover, the system has helped 25 Bhutanese who got into accidents while travelling through India by helping in contacting concerned authorities in India to get help for the victims,” said Ugyen Dorji, Home Affairs Minister.
While acknowledging the inconveniences associated with the CPMS, the minister urged the house to focus on enhancing the system’s efficiency rather than advocating for its discontinuation.
Karma Samten Wangda
Edited by Sonam Pem
