Monthly Archives: December, 0

The Speaker of the National Assembly, Jigme Zangpo, cancelled the Question Hour, which was supposed to be held this morning. He said the Prime Minister and Ministry of Information and Communications did not receive the questions within the stipulated time. The Speaker said the questions are to reach the concerned agencies prior to 48 hours before the sitting.

The National Council discussed on the changes required in the Local Government Rules and Regulation, today. The issue was put forward to the parliament by the members of the local government in Bumthang.

The National Assembly finalized that Thrompons, Gups and Mangmis will not be entitled for Leave Travel Concession (LTC) as mentioned in the Local Government member’s entitlement bill. The clause says Thrompons, Gups and Mangmis will be entitled for LTC once every financial year.

The Health Minister, Tandin Wangchuk, is leading the four-member Bhutanese delegation to the 67th World Health Assembly, which started in Geneva yesterday. The six-day conference will cover issues such as International Health Regulation, Non-communicable Diseases and Maternal Infant and Young Child Nutrition, among others.

The Prime Minister, Tshering Tobgay, met with the SAARC Secretary General, Arjun Bahadur Thapa, yesterday. The SAARC Secretary General from Nepal was on his introductory visit to Bhutan. He assumed the post in March this year.

Paro Police are still searching for a 23-year-old man stabbed a Tshogpa from Dopshari Gewog in Paro. The incident is said to have happened on Sunday at around 8:30PM. The Tshogpa had gone to settle a quarrel between the suspect and his former wife. The suspect had then stabbed the victim on the back and fled the scene.

They are yet to rebuild their homes. It has been more than five years since the four families lost their homes, including all their belongings, to the Wamrong fire disaster. Even those who had started the construction are struggling to complete. Their inability to finish reconstructing their homes has been attributed to the suspension of housing loans.

As an important step towards National Council's 12th session resolution follow up, the National Council had sent a set of resolutions to the government and concerned agencies. However, a few ministries did not respond at all and some that did, only had brief responses. The Wangdue Phodrang NC MP, Tashi Dorji, said a few ministries did send comprehensive answers.

The National Assembly, today, discussed Gyadrung’s salary, allowances and other benefits. While a few members thought it should not be included in the Local Government Members’ entitlements, others thought it should be decided by the Royal Civil Service Commission.

A LIVE or packaged broadcast of the Dzongkhag Tshogdu proceedings on Television was amongst the resolution passed by the National Council, previously. The follow-up on the resolution, today, saw a majority support from the members.