The Joint-sitting of the parliament endorsed the National Assembly Bill 2014. The bill is one of the disputed bills. There were disagreements on about fourteen sections between the National Assembly and National Council.
One of the most deliberated clauses is the new section on the resignation of an elected member. The National Assembly in second session endorsed saying an elected member of the parliament will now have to reimburse the campaign fund for the general elections, if they submit voluntary resignation before assuming office.
However, the Upper House amended the clause saying an elected member, who submits voluntary resignation letter before assuming the office or the expiry of the term, will now have to reimburse the total electoral expenditure in that particular constituency.
The Joint-committee of the Parliament decided to delete the clause. The recommendation was supported by the Joint-sitting.
Another major clause that sparked extensive deliberation in the second session of the Assembly was on section 240 of the Bill. The Assembly endorsed to keep the section as it is. The clause says the Budget Appropriation Bill and Supplementary Appropriation Bill shall not be referred to a relevant committee.
But, the National Council in the last session had endorsed the section saying the Budget Appropriation Bill and Supplementary Appropriation Bill shall be referred to a relevant committee by the Speaker.
After the presentation by the finance minister today, majority supported the Budget Appropriation Bill and Supplementary Appropriation Bill shall, after all, be referred to a relevant committee.
The House then passed the National Assembly Bill with 45 MPs voting Yes, 14 No. Two abstained from voting.
The National Assembly Amendment Bill 2014 will now repeal the Speakers Act 2004 and National Assembly Committees Act of the Kingdom of Bhutan 2004. These Acts have been integrated in the National Assembly Amendment Bill 2014.
