The National Council (NC) also unanimously adopted the Gyalsung Bill of Bhutan 2022 today. Prior to the adoption of the Bill, some members asked the steering committee about plans to make the Gyalsung programme inclusive for youth with disabilities.
According to Chapter Four of the Gyalsung Bill, a person will have to undergo a medical examination for Gyalsung training. If certified medically unfit by the medical board, he or she shall be exempted from participating in the training.
On this, the National Council member from Gasa, Dorji Khandu, questioned the steering committee if young people with disabilities will get an opportunity to take part in Gyalsung programmes.
“If we look at chapters 3 and 4 in this Bill, it looks like the Gyalsung project is only for youth who are literate and currently studying. Our country’s happiness principle is Gross National Happiness for the entire nation irrespective of whether they are educated or not,” pointed out MP Dorji Khandu.
Therefore, he continued, “if we are to develop such programmes, we also have to look at those youth who are not studying. Likewise, opportunities to include those youth with disabilities such as visually impaired and physically challenged.”
Responding to the MP’s query, the member of the steering committee, National Service Core Working Group, Dasho Sonam Kinga said the Gyalsung training is indeed an inclusive programme.
Explaining further, he said that youth who are certified medically unfit will be exempted from the training. However, if they express a deep interest in the training, the Gyalsung office will come up with an alternative customised programme for them.
“For those youth, who are physically challenged, it is a recommendation from the cabinet and members of parliament. Right now, there will be an exemption from the medical board if a person is physically unfit. There is a challenge but if a person wants to serve the country, even if exempted, we will come up with other ways to give them training,” informed Dasho Sonam Kinga in the house.
All 24 members present during the deliberation voted in favour of the Bill today. The National Assembly adopted the Bill yesterday.
It will now be submitted for the Royal Assent.
The Gyalsung Bill of the Kingdom of Bhutan is His Majesty’s vision to institutionalise the Gyalsung to empower all youth in the process of nation-building. It is to further enhance the security, peace, unity, harmony, and sovereignty of the Nation.
The first batch of Gyalsung will commence in 2024.
Samten Dolkar & Ngawang Tenzin
Edited by Pema Lhaden
