The Druk Chirwang Tshogpa (DCT) manifesto covers the grounds in all aspects of people’s daily lives, which on a general level comprises of individual goals, well-being, and on a broader – national level addresses and pledges to right the fallacies and inequities, be it in the form of policies or decision-making norms.
Sticking true to its name, the DCT manifesto is synergized with its bottom-up approach to development plans and procedures, and places the citizens’ interest at the core of it.
Democracy
Placing democracy as a special gift from the Throne to the Bhutanese people, the DCT promises to protect and uphold democratic rights of citizens, and to promote a strong democratic culture by empowering all citizens to express their opinions, encouraging civic participation in local and national decision making processes, and inculcating a bottom-up approach in the drafting of laws and policies.
“We will raise the bar of political transparency and accountability to its highest level. We will be ruthless in our fight against corruption,” states the DCT manifesto.
The manifesto awards high importance to civil service pledges, to proactively build their (civil servants’) morale and motivation through a system of rewards based on personal performance, initiative, and leadership. DCT pledges to invest in developing leaders rather than protecting and advancing the entrenched power of administrators.
Media
The DCT manifesto necessitates for the media to be upheld as ‘vibrant conscience-keepers’ that will promote a free and independent media to serve as active and intelligent voice of civil society, ‘and not just the mouthpiece of government.’
Economy
DCT will build a sustainable economy by prioritizing wealth creation, economic prosperity and self-reliance. We will encourage an entrepreneurial culture based on research, innovation, creativity, and incubation.
At the centre of this scheme is to create a society that thrives on equality.
“The growing disparity in wealth creates unnecessary divisions in society. Our policies will be directed at bridging income gaps and minimizing concentration of wealth,” the DCT manifesto reads.
Tax, Private Sector and Rural Prosperity
The party will review and rationalize the tax regime so that lower and middle-income groups are not overburdened.
The DCT manifesto outlaid that while private sector has been much harped-about as the engine of growth real efforts to develop it has been very few.
The DCT promises to provide the much-needed incentives to enable the private sector to unlock its potential.
The party will also focus on improving local communities’ self-reliance. Its policies will seek out sustainable ways to develop unreached communities that have been left by the wayside.
A Vibrant, Harmonious Society
DCT prioritizes the basic amenities and grassroots needs over the convenience of western gadgets, and techno-savvy developments. The party believes ‘happiness is a fundamental human desire.’
Therefore, it will create enabling conditions for people to pursue genuine happiness, based better access to fundamental needs such as safe drinking water, adequate food, durable shelter, modern healthcare and education. They aim to aid tens of thousands of low and middle-income families to have a decent roof over their heads.
DCT pledges to attack the root causes of growing social issues such as unemployment, farm abandonment, alcoholism, vandalism, domestic violence, teenage pregnancy, suicide, depression, etc., with appropriate policy interventions, including targeted programs of relief for those in dire need such as the disabled, the homeless, orphans, and single mothers.
Women
DCT will promote greater participation of women in all spheres of life with gender responsive and family-friendly policies. It will review and amend legislations and policies that currently create discriminatory obstacles for women. Also DCT will initiate a variety of vocational programs that will enhance and diversify the income-generating power of women through cooperatives, micro-financing projects, and easier access to higher education.
Youth
Realizing the importance of youth for better tomorrow, youth empowerment is one of the top areas of action for Druk Chirwang Tshogpa. The party pledges to work towards empowering youth for a progressive Bhutan, by providing opportunities for youth to enhance their interests, skills, and abilities into their adulthoods complemented with appropriate structures. The party also pledges to do this by creating supportive relationships, providing positive social norms and opportunities for skill building on a foundation of scientific research through multi-dimensional approach.
Education
DCT will restructure the education curricula so that youth have the right values, skills, and competency to get employed not just in Bhutan but anywhere in the world.
This it will through new investments in infrastructure improvement in educational institutes, schools, colleges and universities, and stepping up opportunities for “hands-on” or experiential learning that will include internships, externships, and volunteering.
DCT promises promotion of quality education through high-performing quality teachers and incentivizing teaching profession. It will incentivize the private and the NGO sectors to create and implement their own training programs to enable more youth to gain critical skills to become leaders and entrepreneurs in both of these sectors.
Health
DCT believes the country’s smallness should be its strength. The party believes it should not be difficult to provide quality health care services for all in Bhutan.
DCT will promote healthy citizens by investing in research and stepping up preventive measures and care for communicable and non-communicable diseases.
It will also invest in mental health programs, create a pool of qualified healthcare professionals and retain experienced professionals through attractive financial incentives, service benefits and better working conditions.
Culture
DCT will inculcate a strong sense of family and human values amongst the nation’s children and youth to revive and promote Bhutanese tradition, culture and way of life.
Environment
DCT pledges to continue ‘the green legacy of our enlightened monarchs’ through renewed efforts in the protection and conservation of our environmental asset.
The party believes Bhutan’s natural resources belong to its citizens and would ensure that all enjoys the bounty of natural resources and its benefits while it also encourages a socially responsible mining sector.
Research and Innovation
DCT pledges to create and promote the right environment and facilities for the nation’s educated lot, academicians, and researchers. It will provide facilities and necessary assistance which will boost Bhutan’s creative industry. It also plans investment in building a knowledge-based society through the establishment of research centres and think tanks.
Diplomacy
DCT promises to strengthen the close ties, friendly relations and economic cooperation with India, while promoting goodwill with the international community on the basis of peace, cooperation, and the sovereign equality of states.
It will foster respect for international law and treaty obligations, and encourage settlement of international disputes by peaceful in order to promote international peace and stability.
The party is committed to play a constructive role in regional and global affairs and in particular to further strengthen the close and collaborative relationship and economic cooperation with neighboring countries.
Will Am Lily head all the 10 ministries besides being PM? All other DCT candidates are youths who can become good teachers, ADM officers, clerks and lab assistants. Should we vote for DCT just because Am Lily has a tragic life history?
Tell us the talent your party has not tragic you had
I thought The Bhutanese was all about criticising political parties, it seems more like an opinion than reporting, not just this article.
Mr. Lamsang, people need to know the truth not your opinion which has been the case till now.
My goodness! did you all hear what Am Lily said in Pema Gatshel? she is going to give a ministerial portfolio to her Nanong-Shumar candidate. He is just 33 years old and has few years of job experience. He was badly rejected by the voters of Pema Gatshel in the NC elections. Did Am Lily say this because she ran out of idaeas being in the PM’s constituency? Hearing this, I laughed for a moment, cried for a while and worried for a long time. I think DCT can only run a primary school for now.