The Bhutanese Leading the way.
The National Assembly (Amendment) Bill of Bhutan 2024 is a major move by the National Assembly to strengthen itself even against the executive that comes from it.
An interesting feature is its effort to outline who will be given the chance to speak based on the push of the button taking away certain discretionary powers from the Speaker.
The insistence of the NA in maintaining a provision to not only pass a no confidence against the government but also an individual minister, despite the objections of the ministers shows the NA reminding the ministers of the supremacy of the NA.
The NA has also laid down the grounds of a no confidence motion against the government and individual ministers.
Some ministers felt this was an encroachment into the Lhengye Zhungtshog Act and by inference the Executive but NA members said it is not so.
The Bill also has provisions mandating that ministers give relevant replies and leave out personal opinions and it asks for action taken on resolutions.
The Bill also enhances the powers of the committees to call people for consultations.
A significant feature of the Bill is that the performance of the Secretary General of the NA will be evaluated by the Speaker and no longer the RCSC.
In another major move the MPs have inserted provisions whereby they be given the same protocol as ministers or executives while visiting the Dzongkhags and also a security escort whole traveling in high risk areas.
The Bill at one level is a continuation of the NA asserting itself with each new Parliament. For example, in the past, the NA Economic and Finance Committee was given powers by the NA to study and make recommendations in the budget document.
However, at another level it is the biggest move by the NA to give itself more powers as a house.
Ultimately, if this enhanced power of the NA is used to benefit the nation then it will be good,
On the other hand, it will be disastrous if the powers are used for the sake of power and getting individual perks.
The people will be watching closely.
Power has only one duty – to secure the social welfare of the People.
Benjamin Disraeli