The National Council’s Chairperson, Dasho Sonam Kinga said people and local media are under the impression that NC’s recommendations on national policies are submitted to the National Assembly for deliberation. He said the recommendations do not go to the National Assembly instead it goes to the Cabinet for review and implementation.
Dasho referred to tourism, youth unemployment, and hydroelectricity, among others, the Upper House recently discussed. “These are specific policy concerns for which our recommendations are not sent to National Assembly but to the government.”
The Chairperson however said approval of bills and ratification of international treaties and conventions must be done by the parliament. So discussions take place in both the houses. If the Upper and Lower Houses have opposing views on the bills and other international agreements, a joint sitting is convened upon the Royal Command.
The Chairperson also said either of the houses can draft any bills except for money bill and budget appropriation bill, which the National Assembly has the right to draft.
