The Legislative Committee of the National Council proposed the need to enact Civil Liability Act/Torts Act. Civil Liability or a Torts Act, according to the committee, will address the ongoing predicament faced by victims of civil wrongs. The proposed legislation will bring about accountability in the system and instil a sense of responsibility among individuals or relevant agencies.
Citing the recent incidents of the streetlight pole collapse case in Changjiji which injured a 58-year-old woman and the falling metal rods case at the MDP in Phuentshogling which claimed a life of a 17-year-old girl, the legislative committee of the National Council said the accidents were the results of the negligence of the authority concerned. According to the report, multiple accounts of death and injuries resulting from the poor or sub-standard quality of construction works carried out by the contractors, coupled with failure on the part of the relevant government agencies and officials to carry out proper inspection have become rampant. In 2013, health facilities across the country recorded 29,303 work-related injuries and trauma in the construction sector.
According to the committee, it is apparent that despite many unfortunate accidents resulting in death, injury, and loss of public property, concerned parties on every occasion refused to take responsibility while relevant authorities failed to take necessary action.
“This act will provide justice to the victims. And also if this act is in place, individuals like contractors, stakeholders, and drayang owners will be more responsible and accountable and work as per the law,” said Ugyen Tshering, the Deputy Chairperson of the Legislative Committee of the National Council.
The committee will conduct an internal meeting and report back to the House.
Pema Seldon Tshering & Sonam Tenzin
