The National Assembly rejected the National Council’s recommendation to repeal the Supplementary Appropriation of Nu 5 M for the Parliamentary Committees and Secretariat Services.
The House decided to stand by its decision to approve the supplementary budget through majority show of hands today.
The National Assembly re-deliberated on the Supplementary Budget Appropriation for Fiscal Year 2019-2020. The National Council rejected the supplementary appropriation for the Parliamentary Committees and Secretariat Services citing as procedural lapse and conflict of interest. However, Members of Parliament (MP) of the National Assembly shared that, parliamentary duties cannot be done without a budget.
“The committees still have a lot of work to do for 3 to 4 months. Or should the committees give up working and stay idle? The budget is not there. Worse than that, we still have dues to pay to our research officers, their TADA,” said Choki Gyeltshen, the Maenbi Tsaenkhar MP.
“We are informed that we should not take research officers when we go on tour because of budget constraints. During the Mines and Minerals inspection, we went in-person to see the situation and it helped a lot while adopting the bill. If the budget is kept, it would be very easy for committees and research officers alike to work productively,” added Dorji Wangdi, the Panbang MP.
“Discussing and agreeing on its importance, we have submitted to the National Council for review. When I see the way things are discussed today, I feel as if the cabinet was absent during the last session. We were informed that we are restricted from taking along research officers. For a greater cause, If a small amount of money restricts it, It doesn’t make sense,” said Karma Wangchuk, the Chhumig Ura MP.
With 22 members in favour of the budget, the house decided to stand by its initial decision. Generally, the House adopted the Supplementary Budget Appropriation Bill for the Financial Year 2019-2020 for a sum not exceeding Nu 903.277 M with 29 Yes, 2 No and 5 abstaining.
Tshering Dendup
