The Opposition Party, Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT), is asking the government to reinstate the three government secretaries. A press release from DPT states they are calling for the reinstatement of the officers while a transparent investigation process by the Royal Civil Service Commission (RCSC) is being conducted.
The government had “surrendered” the Cabinet Secretary, Dasho Penden Wangchuk, Economic Affairs Secretary, Dasho Sonam Tshering and Foreign Affairs Secretary, Yeshey Dorji to the Royal Civil Service Commission on December 12.
The Opposition Party says the three secretaries were “surrendered” in the most humiliating manner without giving them the opportunity to defend themselves.
DPT says they are also doubtful whether the Cabinet has the authority to dismiss the officers from the position to which they were appointed by His Majesty the King.
The release also says the three Secretaries have distinguished service records with two of them awarded Red Scarves by His Majesty the King.
It goes on to say the secretaries have reached their positions of the highest ranking civil servants through lifetime of dedication and loyalty to the Tsa-Wa-Sum.
“We also urge the RCSC to call upon the government to explain how the letter, written to the Indian Ambassador, has affected or could affect our bilateral relations to such an extent as to outweigh the serious consequences for our country including the demoralisation of the civil service.”
In an earlier interview, the economic affairs minister, Norbu Wangchuk had said the Secretaries had taken unilateral decisions.
Lyonpo Norbu Wangchuk had said they had written a letter, almost demanding the Indian government’s intervention, to resolve corruption charges related to hydropower sector, especially the appointment of Bhutan Ventures Trading as an agent for Bharat Heavy Electrical Limited (BHEL)
Lyonpo said the letter had demanded the Indian government take Enertia, an Indian publication, to the task for writing articles of corruption charges against a senior Bhutanese official.
Enertia’s article reported that Bharat Heavy Electrical Limited and Bhutan Ventures Trading had struck a deal under which the latter will receive a commission of 1.5 to 1.8 percent for supply of electro-mechanical equipment to Punatsangchhu II and Mangdechhu projects.
BHEL, as a government company, is reportedly not authorised to nominate agents.
