Keeping a tab on government pledges

The government was questioned on the fulfillment of its pledges, especially the pledge on providing service utility vans and power tillers to each sub-block (chiwog) in the dzongkhags, in the National Assembly session on May 21. The Opposition Party also questioned the government pledge on the blacktopping the gewog centre roads.

Sharing his view on government pledges, Member of Parliament (MP), Bumdelling-Jamkhar, Duptho, said that fulfilling the pledges is important for a better functioning of the democracy. He said that most of the pledges have not been fulfilled even with the government being in power for almost two years.

The Opposition stated that the people will lose faith and respect in future elections and democracy if pledges are not fulfilled. “People are expecting the pledges to be fulfilled in five years,” the Opposition Party voiced.

In response, Finance Minister, Namgay Dorji, said the government pledge to provide Nu 2 mn for gewog development grant has been fulfilled, and he added that the grant has provided benefits to the people. Likewise, he said, the pledges of granting free electricity and doing away taxes for small and rural business have been fulfilled.

Lyonpo Namgay Dorji expressed that although the government cannot fulfill its pledges within a year, however, the government is prioritizing and working towards fulfilling the commitments made to the people.

He said Nu 146mn has been allocated in next financial year for the purchase of the utility vehicles. The pledge to provide two helicopters is to be fulfilled later in the year coinciding with the celebration of 60th Birth Anniversary of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo.

The Home and Culture Affairs Minister, Damcho Dorji, added that most of the pledges are fulfilled, such as providing the power tillers to 205 gewogs. Lyonpo Damcho Dorji said the power tillers will be provided in all chiwogs within the end of the year. The pledges, he said, aim for the development of local government and rural areas with a goal of creating self-sufficiency.

On the pledge to black top of gewog centre roads, the Work and Human Settlement Minister, Dorji Choden, stated in the House that the ministry is hopeful that the black topping of all gewog centre roads will be complete within the next three financial years.

Lyonpo Dorji Choden said the ministry has place the pledge on high priority, and Nu 2.5 bn budget is kept aside for black topping of 52 gewog centre roads. She said the black topping of 15 gewog centre road is near completion.

However, the House was adjourned on Thursday without proceeding further with remaining agenda as per section 16 of the Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly 2014 for not meeting the quorum for sitting.

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