As the nation gears up for the Fourth National Assembly Elections, every party’s pledges signal a dynamic vision for the country’s future. Spanning from social welfare initiatives to digital advancements, and economic stimulus plans, the five political parties have more to offer to the people of Bhutan. Let us look at their special pledges.
The Bhutan Tendrel Party pledges to provide allowances such as basic coverage for elderly citizens and universal basic coverage for persons with disabilities and vulnerable groups.
Similarly, the party also plans to provide a cash incentive called Alu Sarkey Tendrel Thue for newborn babies.
In addition, increasing the rural life insurance from Nu 30,000 to 150,000 without increasing the individual contribution of Nu 87 is also one of the BTP’s special pledges.
In the Druk Nyamrup Tshogpas’ manifesto, they plan to create 1,000 digital jobs annually.
The party also promises to achieve zero digital divide by improving student to computer ratio from one computer per 10 students to one computer for every five students.
The party pledges to introduce boarding schools in major towns and increase food stipends for every child from Nu 1,500 to 2,040.
According to the party, they will solve all the remaining water problems. Moreover, the DNT is planning to give the local governments 100 per cent authority on the block grant and give an annual 10 per cent increment on the block grant.
For the Druk Phuensum Tshogpa, they plan to ensure a 24/7 clean drinking water supply in both urban and rural areas.
The party also commits to implement a policy to provide state support for educating the third and subsequent children of a couple.
The DPT also pledges to provide five doctors for district hospitals including a gynaecologist.
From considering the study period as active service to ensure timely promotions to giving three years of business leave without pay with an option to come back to civil service in consultation with the RCSC are the DPT’s other pledges.
The Druk Thuendrel Tshogpa has plans to launch an economic stimulus plan of Nu10bn.
The party plans to link the mothers in the handicrafts business with the international markets through a scheme using a QR code.
Other pledges include the Sunomics Golden Carpet scheme that encourages mid-age Bhutanese in Australia to establish businesses in Bhutan and return home.
The DTT also plans to convert the Lhengye Dhensa to Zhabto Dhensa.
Similarly, the People’s Democratic Party pledges to implement Nu15bn economic stimulus plan.
The party also plans to create full employment (97.5%) in the next five years, creating around 35,000 more jobs in various sectors.
Other pledges include developing mini-industrial estates in every district and exploring the possibilities of creating infrastructural linkages to boost exports.
The PDP will also provide a cash incentive for the third child. The five political parties have a diverse range of pledges for the next five years.
Tashi Dekar
Edited by Tshering Zam
