The National Council did not ratify the Motor Vehicles Agreement for the Regulation of Passenger and Cargo Vehicular Traffic between Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal.
The house came to the decision yesterday after majority of the National Council members voted not to ratify.
Some MPs said the government did not conduct a comprehensive consultation with the relevant stakeholders before signing the agreement.
The agreement was signed, last year.
According to the council’s Legislative Committee, government did not consult majority of the stakeholders.
The committee said no study was carried out to determine the impact of the agreement on the country’s culture, environment, national security, politics and economy.
They said the agreement opens up a danger for influx of more foreigners with different backgrounds and intentions.
The chairman of the committee, MP Sonam Wangchuk, said the government has not sought legal views of the Office of Attorney General before signing the agreement.
“We had to impose tax on vehicle imports in the country to reduce vehicles and now why are we talking about allowing passage for vehicles from other countries?”
Some MPs stated the country’s infrastructure is not adequate and do not have the capacity to accommodate vehicles from four countries.
However Foreign minister, Damcho Dorji, said ratifying the agreement would mean bringing economic development in the country.
The bill will now be sent to the National Assembly for re-deliberation.
