His Majesty The King graced the opening ceremony of the ninth session of the third parliament this morning. Members of the Royal family, senior government officials, and other dignitaries attended the opening ceremony. The ceremony was also attended by the Speaker of the Western Australia Legislative Assembly and her delegation.
His Majesty the King was received in a traditional Chhipdrel ceremony by the National Assembly Speaker, the Prime Minister, the Opposition leader, the National Council chairperson and other members of parliament.
The Speaker in his opening address offered his gratitude to His Majesty The Druk Gyalpo for the unwavering commitment and relentless pursuit of national prosperity and happiness.
He also expressed appreciation to His Holiness the Je Khenpo and the religious order for continuous rituals for the wellbeing of the land.
“The Parliament would like to express our deepest gratitude to His Majesty for the highly substantive and productive bilateral discussions, especially in the fields of power and export, held during His Majesty’s Royal visit to India in April. Likewise, the Parliament would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen for attending the Coronation Ceremony of the King and Queen of the United Kingdom, further strengthening ties between the two countries,” said the Speaker.
The Speaker also welcomed the newly elected members of the 4th Parliament of the National Council and expressed gratitude to all those who participated in the National Council election.
The ninth session of the Third Parliament will see the National Assembly table the Budget Appropriation Bill for the fiscal year 2023-2024, the Pay Revision Bill 2023, and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities among others.
Meanwhile, the two houses will deliberate on the Forest and Nature Conservation Bill of Bhutan, the Civil Liability Bill of Bhutan, and the Public Accounts Committee’s Review Report.
Kinzang Lhadon
Edited by Yeshi Gyaltshen