His Majesty The King graced the Opening Ceremony of the 5th Session of the Third Parliament this morning. The opening session was also graced by Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen, Her Royal Highness Princess Euphelma Choden Wangchuck and His Royal Highness Prince Ugyen Jigme Wangchuck.
The speaker of the National Assembly on behalf of the parliamentarians expressed gratitude to His Majesty for gracing the ceremony and for tirelessly travelling to high-risk areas to protect people from COVID-19.
“While we enjoy the safety and are free from worries with our families and loved ones, His Majesty The King has been working endlessly days and nights and sacrificing rests and meals. His Majesty has been constantly monitoring the situation, providing strategic directions and counsels on the prevention and overcoming the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic to the COVID-19 Task Force and to our people,” said Wangchuk Namgyel, the Speaker of the National Assembly.
He also thanked His Majesty for providing free medical services, for the Royal farsighted vision of the Desuung programme which has benefitted many with useful skills and experiences and providing Relief Kidu among others.
The 5th session of the parliament this time will deliberate on the Annual Budget Report for the year 2021-2022, Royal Bhutan Police (Amendment) Bill of Bhutan 2021, Local Government (Amendment) Bill of Bhutan 2021, Biodiversity Bill of Bhutan 2021, Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill of Bhutan 2021, Customs (Amendment) Bill of Bhutan 2021 and Anti-Corruption (Amendment) Bill of Bhutan 2019. The House will also ratify the Preferential Trade Agreement between the Royal Government of Bhutan and the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, and the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (Amendment) Bill of 2021 along with the Annual Anti-Corruption Commission Review Report 2019, and deliberation on the Implementation Report on the Resolutions of the previous Sessions.
The joint sitting will also deliberate on five Performance Audit Report of the Public Accounts Committee, deliberation of the Disputed Clauses between the two Houses on the Mines and Minerals Bill of Bhutan 2020, and Lhengye Zhungtshog Bill of Bhutan 2020.
Following the official opening of Parliament, His Majesty graced the opening ceremony for the National Council, which was held for the first time in the new hall in the National Convention Centre. The building now serves to house the National Council Assembly Hall and offices.
The session of the Parliament will conclude on 30th June this year.
Samten Dolkar
