The finance ministry will look into the possibility of resuming the Constituency Development Grant which will now be called the Priority Development Fund. The finance minister said this while discussing the need for the fund besides the block grant for developmental activities. A member of the House committee proposed providing the priority development fund in addition to the block grant local governments currently receive. After a lengthy discussion, the National Assembly adopted the motion on recommendation on the need for a Priority Development Fund today.
Moving the motion, Punakha’s Lingmukha-Toedwang Member of Parliament Namgay Wangchuk said the Priority Development Fund is a budget which will be allocated to the constituencies to finance ad-hoc projects initiated at the grassroot level for development.
He said that in the past, Nu 2 M was allocated as Constituency Development Grant for each constituency every year. However, this was later replaced with the Gewog Development Grant during the second government’s tenure.
The MP said the current block grant is not enough for emergency developmental needs, especially in remote areas.
“There are chances that the allocated budget may not cover all the developmental activities. If the priority development fund is allocated with specific regulations, the local government can use it efficiently and independently.”
“Climate change results in calamities in the country. During such times, a priority development fund would enable local governments to address issues immediately,” said Kuenga, Wangdue Phodrang’s Nyishog-Saephu MP.
However, some members raised their concerns about the availability of budget to allocate separate fund for the Priority Development Fund.
“Allocating the priority development fund separately would be beneficial. However, if it is taken from the block grant, it may affect existing plans. I am concerned that it may lead to unsuccessful initiative plans,” said Sonam Tashi, Paro’s Lamgong-Wangchang MP.
In response, the finance minister agreed to look into the possibility and submit a report to the House.
“Like recommended, we will look into the possibility and as a finance minister, I will look into it and we will be able to report it back,” said Lekey Dorji, Finance Minister.
The matter is expected to be discussed in the winter session of the Parliament.
The motion was adopted with 33 Members of Parliament voting in favour and 12 abstaining.
Namgay Dema and Pema Tshomo
Edited by Tshering Zam
