The Bhutanese Leading the way.
The government also mentioned that the rest of the nine pledges are partially fulfilled
Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, at a press conference on November 12, on behalf of the government announced to the media that of the People’s Democratic Government (PDP) government’s 34 pledges, promised to be fulfilled within the government’s first 100 days in office, 25 has been fully delivered while works for the 9 pledges that are partially fulfilled is underway.
Partially fulfilled
Pay revision and house rent allowance
Lyonchhen said the pay commission was formed with its seven members who were given three months to submit a report on how the salary should be revised.
Nine months maternity leave
Lyonchhen said when it comes to maternity leaves, it was for the Royal Civil Service Commission to consider and depending on their response, the government would relook it. He said if the commission changes their Bhutan Civil Service Rules then the government wouldn’t have to do much.
Royal Civil Service Preliminary exams
Lyonchhen said since the last preliminary examination was held very soon after the government took office, the government was unable to fulfill the pledge of doing away with it. He said the government is working on it with the commission. Lyonchhen also said the proposal has been submitted and that the preliminary examination will be eliminated in the long run.
No additional ministries
While the government didn’t increase the number of ministries as pledged, Lyonchhen said the pledge remains partially fulfilled, because he had not assumed the portfolio of at least one ministry as pledged.
Difficulty allowance for the rural posting
Lyonchhoen said the pay commission would look into this aspect and that the government shall act accordingly. The pay commission will take a minimum of three months to review the matter.
Reintroduction of the lottery business
The government is hopeful about the pledge to restart Bhutan lottery would come through, and the decision would reach by the next financial year.
Private sector development
Lyonchhen said a comprehensive private sector development plan would come through by the end of the year.
Youth employment policy
With the youth employment policy drafted because the government could not provide jobs as yet, the pledge remains partially fulfilled. Labour ministry records reflect 3,840 registered jobseekers.
20 percent quota for women
“We hope Election Commission will be able to propose something in time for the next local government elections,” Lyonchhen said.
Pledges fulfilled
Lyonchhen informed the media that the government fulfilled 25 pledges with 9 partially fulfilled, bringing the achievement to 74 %.
25 fulfilled pledges
Census issue
“The government has said it would prioritize solving the census issue, and the results speak for themselves,” Lyonchhen said. In the last three months, about 4,000 people received citizenship kidu.
In terms of providing allowances and houses to the old age people, the government said it could start immediately and for which they have completed the paper work. “But we have taken a decision to not get into the matters of kidu because His Majesty’s kidu offices reach out across the country providing kidu,” Lyonchhen said.
Meet the people
Lyonchhen reported that the Cabinet ministers met with about 300 people in the last meet-the-people programs conducted in the capital. Most of the people who turned up for the program were unemployed youth.
Social media wing
Initiated as an online help and feedback system for Bhutanese citizens travelling and studying abroad, Lyonchhen said the government started its social media wing. The government can now be found on Facebook, Twitter, and Google Plus.
Tenancy Act
The Cabinet has submitted the Act to the Parliament for review during the first session of the second Parliament.
National Minimum Wage
The government on October 29 revised the national minimum wage to Nu 125 a day from Nu 100, taking monthly income to Nu 3,750. The revision will come into effect from February 2014.
RTI bill
The Cabinet submitted the Right to Information (RTI) bill to the Parliament and it will be deliberated in the second Parliamentary session.
Lifting of the Pedestrian day
With the pedestrian day being removed, the country would observe pedestrian day annually on the World Environment Day.
Nu 2M grant to 205 Gewogs
The government has released Nu 2mn each to all gewogs for the 2013-14 fiscal year which is to be used for development activities.
Discounts for Student
Students can get a 30 percent discount on city bus fares in Thimphu and Phuentsholing, and also 10 percent discount on public buses for long journeys. The 10 percent discounts for students were initiated by the public bus operators.
Waived off taxes for small and rural businesses
Small cottages businesses were waived off from payment of taxes as pledged.
Endowment funds
Lyonchhen said the endowment funds were established for education, art and culture, and research.
Allocation of the seats in public transport
Lyonchhen said public transport now has designated seats in orange colour for the old age people, small children, pregnant women, and disabled people.
The film policy has been drafted and is open for comments on the GNHC website. A Druk Film association has also been established.
Free electricity to rural households
The government decided to provide free 100 units of power to rural homes and the government would also look into supporting rural poor with rice cookers and boilers at subsidized rates.
Loans for students for further studies at low interest
Students who intend to study further will be provided loan with low interest.
Poverty
109 poor villages are in need of development and all the dzongdas and gups have been asked to submit a list of poor villages in their areas.
Power tariff
As pledged, Lyonchhen said the government tried not to increase the tariff, but the authority and the final decision rested with the Bhutan Electricity authority, which felt it was necessary to revise.
Cut down on number of taxis
With already 5,500 taxis, of which 3,500 are in the capital, the government decided not to let the number of taxis increase in the country.
Lift utility vehicle import for farmers
The government decided to allow farmers and rural businesses to import utility vehicles worth not more than Nu 800,000 while the electric vehicles, would be allowed for import.
Promote meritocracy in civil service
In collaboration with the Royal Institute for Governance and Strategic Studies (RIGSS) in Phuentsholing, Lyonchhen said the government will promote meritocracy in the civil service and will initiate prestigious scholarships in renowned universities around the world which will be given to civil servants based on their accomplishments, performances and their potential.
Improve the nutrition level of school meals
Lyonchhen reported that the ministries of education, health and agriculture worked together to assess the nutritional levels of school meals and have come up with recommendations on how the required nutritional levels should be met.
The Cabinet is yet to decide on the recommendations.
BCCI’s excise duty recommendations
The government has agreed to review excise duty recommendations submitted by the Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Cost cutting measures
Lyonchhen reiterated on his earlier remarks that the government has initiated austerity measures to cut “unnecessary expenses”, and that the government is saving about Nu 544,000 a month, excluding pilot and police services for Cabinet Ministers.
Chencho Dema
