The National Council members could not come to a consensus regarding the abolishment of Import Quota for public servants. The Economic Affairs Committee of the House recommended the move while presenting its Review Report on the policies related to vehicle imports today. According to the Committee, the recommendation is towards addressing the issues related to the country’s growing number of vehicles.
According to the review report, the growth in the number of vehicles in the country has resulted in traffic congestions, more cases of accidents and casualties, negative environmental consequences, revenue loss, foreign exchange outflows and rising import of fuel and spare parts.
The report states, rise in income, greater affordability, easy credit, urbanization, lack of efficient public transport and vehicle quota are some of the main reasons behind the growth.
In the last two decades, the number of vehicles registered in the country has increased by fivefold. And 65 per cent of the vehicles registered are light vehicles. On an average, as per the report, today, every seven Bhutanese owns a vehicle.
However, not many members supported the recommendation to abolish the import quota. As per the finance ministry’s record, 15000 such quotas have been issued so far.
“The public servants have been provided with the vehicle quota for their hard work and encourage them to even work harder. And when we suddenly say we have to abolish the vehicle quota, I think it is not right,” said Tashi Samdrup, Member of Parliament from Trongsa.
“I cannot support this recommendation because vehicle quota is every public servant’s right. Like mentioned earlier, it is to acknowledge the long time service and encourage the civil servants,” supported Sonam Pelzom, Monggar’s Member of Parliament.
“I do not support the recommendation as well. The report lacks the social benefits brought forward by the quota system. It does not have anything on quota system benefitting the civil servants and helping them have a car, save money and social benefits,” added Dorji Khandu, Member of Parliament from Gasa.
“Besides public officials, vehicle import tax exemptions are also provided to the private tour operators and bus operators for purchase of buses. It is very important for them. From one side we say, we have to develop public service transport and at the same time, we are also planning to abolish the vehicle import quota. It is contradicting,” added Nima Member of Parliament from Bumthang.
In addition, the Economic Affairs Committee also made three recommendations of enacting effective national transport policy, designing targeted interventions and improving public transport service.
The house will continue the discussion and decide on the recommendations of the review report on Friday.
Passang Dorji
