The voters will go to the polls to exercise their electoral franchise to choose who will best represent them in the National Council on April 23.
Even though many are aware of what the role of the National Council constitutes as compared to the 2008 elections, there are a sizable number of electorates who do not know the difference between the National Assembly and National Council, still.
The National Council Chairperson, Namgye Penjore, said one of the major roles of the Council is to act as a House of Review. They have the authority to review the policies and programmes of the government.
“We are the part of the legislative body; our main responsibility is to make good legislation. Now when we review the policies and programs of the government and state function, we could include almost every state function starting from the community level to the national level,” explained the Chairperson.
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If a farm road is planned and it does not go as per the plan then it is NC’s responsibility of NC to go in field and see how to make it possible for the villagers to have that farm road. We share the responsibilities.”
Namgay Penjore,
NC Chairperson
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The Chairperson added that there is a general confusion among the people that the NC members don’t have the authority to bring about basic amenities like road or BHU to their constituencies.
“If you are very specific about what you do as a member of NC and NA, then you are confusing the people. I hear people saying that farm road, building schools and BHUs are not the responsibility of NC. I would like to say it is the responsibility of all the elected members.”
Namgay Penjore said the NC members does not have the authority to go to field, plan developmental activities but have the responsibilities to review and set things right.
The National Council is apolitical institution of the Parliament. The Upper House has 25 members of which 20 are elected by the people from their respective Dzongkhags. Five eminent members are chosen by His Majesty the King.
