The National Assembly ratified the Motor Vehicles Agreement today despite resistance from a quarter of the Members of Parliament. Twenty two voted in favour of the ratification, 14 against and three abstained.
The Motor Vehicles Agreement for the Regulation of Passenger and Cargo Vehicular Traffic is between Bhutan, India, Nepal and Bangladesh.
Those, who voted against the ratification, felt the agreement needed more research. The MPs said they could also deliberate on the agreement extensively if its ratification was deferred.
Lamgong-Wangchang MP, Khandu Wangchuk said such kind of agreement will only benefit big countries with big economy. “The agreement attaches out more importance to them. We don’t even need such kind of agreement as most of our trading is with India. Such undertaking could also hamper our relations with India.”
He also said the agreement could hamper the local bus and taxi service since it would free movement of vehicles from signatory countries.
North-Thimphu MP, Kinga Tshering quoted a similar agreement between Mongolia, China, and Russia. “It has only benefitted China and Russia”.
But those in favour of the ratification said there was a thorough study done and that equal priority has been given to all the countries involved.
