After the government assumed its office today, Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay issued four executive orders and ten directives to various ministries for immediate implementation. One of the four executive orders is to discontinue the collection of Nu 10 at the Phuentshogling Pedestrian Terminal with immediate effect.
An executive order on the establishment of the Economic Development Board was also issued. The first meeting of the board is to be held within a month.
Another executive order is for the establishment of a high-level task force to formulate the implementation plan for the 15 Billion Economic Stimulus Plan. The plan is to be submitted to the government by 1st March, this year.
The fourth executive order is on the establishment of a committee to study the regularisation of contract employees. The report has to be submitted to the government within one month.
Besides the executive orders, the prime minister has directed the finance ministry to work on the revision of the tenancy agreement for residents of the Changjiji colony and to formulate plans to develop more low-income housing.
The prime minister also issued directives to the Education and Skills Development Ministry to study the feasibility of Saturdays to be kept off for schools and to review the Individual Work Plan of the teachers and submit alternative proposals to the government.
Four directives were issued to the Industry, Commerce and Employment Ministry. To ease the private sector, the ministry is directed to conduct a comprehensive review of the business regulatory processes. The ministry also has to review the Foreign Direct Investment Policy and develop a comprehensive Action Plan to increase tourist arrivals. The ministry was also instructed to submit a report with recommendations to promote tourism in southern border towns.
The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport was instructed to conduct an initial feasibility study on the construction of five airstrips in strategic locations across the country and report to the government within the 1st of May this year.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade will have to submit a comprehensive proposal on the promotion of tourism, using embassies, consuls and honorary consuls by the 1st of March, this year.
According to the news release from the Prime Minister’s Office, following the cabinet meeting, the prime minister met with the health minister and the officials of the Health Ministry. He also met with the employees of the National Referral Hospital and highlighted the criticality and urgency of their services.
After the visit, the prime minister directed the health minister to submit recommendations to ensure service quality and reliability by next Tuesday.
Samten Dolkar
Edited by Kipchu