The National Council will re-deliberate on the Impeachment Procedure Bill for Constitutional Post Holders during the joint sitting soon. The Bill was rejected by the National Assembly with the show of hands justifying that not all provisions of the Constitution are implemented in it last month.
The Impeachment Procedure Bill will give impeachment rights to the Houses based on incapacity, incompetence and serious misconduct. Chukha’s Bongo-Chapcha Member of Parliament (MP), Tshewang Lhamo, who is the chair of the Legislative Committee said there was no basis to make constitutional office bearers accountable while introducing the bill last month. However, the Bill was rejected in its first reading.
“The Impeachment Procedure Bill is very important in a democratic nation. It has been 12 years since constitutional offices were established. We don’t have an impeachment act in place right now. It is clearly reflected in the constitution that the parliament is entitled to build an impeachment bill and impeach those that violate the laws. Their reasons for objections are vague and we cannot accept that. That is why we decided to re-deliberate during the joint sitting and we will wait for Royal Command,” said Tashi Samdrup, the Chairperson for Natural Resources and Environmental Committee of the National Council.
The Chief Justice of Bhutan, Drangpons of Supreme Court, Chief Justice and Drangpons of the High Court, Chief Election Commissioner, Auditor General, Chairpersons of Royal Civil Service Commission and Anti-Corruption Commission are considered the constitutional office bearers.
Meanwhile, the National Council also decided to re-deliberate on the Minister and Minister Equivalent Post Holders’ Entitlement Bill 2019 soon. It was also not deliberated by the National Assembly. The Entitlement Bill was passed by the National Council and was forwarded to the National Assembly last year.
“The National Assembly rejected the Bill in its first reading only. We have a few doubts regarding that. However, they have sent us forwarding letter which states that it is as per article 30, section 7 of the Constitution of Bhutan. As per the section, Where the other House does not pass the Bill, that House shall return it to the House in which the Bill originated with amendments or objections for re-deliberation. However, the National Assembly as per the article 13 has sent us forwarding letter saying that the Entitlement Bill should be re-deliberated in the National Council,” said Choining Dorji, the Chairperson for the Legislative Committee of National Council.
He said, if the act is enacted, it will enable Minister or Minister Equivalent Post Holders to perform their responsibilities in an efficient, fair and transparent manner with accountability and integrity.
Pema Seldon Tshering/Tshering Dhendup
