The Bhutanese Leading the way.
The closing ceremony of the 20th session of the National Council (NC) was graced by the Prime Minister, Speaker and Gyalpoi Zimpon on December 7.
The Chairperson Thrizin Dasho Dr. Sonam Kinga in an emotional closing address reminded the members three valuable points commanded by His Majesty the King at the beginning of the tenure which are that the last National Council delivered beyond its expectation and it must always live up to the trust and expectation of the people, that the National Council is not the opposition, and that it must provide effective check and balance in our democratic set up.
He commended the commitment and dedication with which members worked in the service of the King, Country and People. He expressed his gratitude to His Majesty the King for always being the ‘Point of reference’ while discharging their roles and responsibilities and prayed for the wellbeing of His Majesty the King, His Royal Highness the Gyalsey and The Royal Family.
Meanwhile, in the 20th session of the NC, the House deliberated and passed various resolutions on policy, legislative and international Bill.
The endorsed the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Bill 2017, Information, Communication and media Bill 2016, Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substance and substance Abuse Bill, and re-deliberated the Audit Bill of Bhutan 2017, and Tourism exemption levy Bill.
Except for the Tourism Exemption levy Bill, which it opposed the NC amended all the other bills.
Besides, the house also adopted a set of recommendation on legal aid services policy and G2C awareness that was prepared and presented to the house by the respective committees.
The House ratified the multilateral agreement for the establishment of an international think tank for landlocked countries.
In other business, the House also passed two motions on issues pertaining to leave encashment to LG members, and omission of budget allocated for black-topping of Chuzomsa to Baylandra road in Wangdue Phodrang Dzongkhag.
In the joint setting of the parliament, the House deliberated on the review report of Annual Audit report 2016, Annual Audit report 2015 and the implementation status of the resolution of the public accounts committee report prepared by public account committee.
The Session concluded with the offering of Zhabten (Long Life Prayer) to His Majesty The King, His Majesty The Fourth Druk Gyalpo, Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen and His Royal Highness The Gyalsey followed by Trashi Menlom (auspicious prayers) for the wellbeing of the King, Country and People.
