The Bhutanese Leading the way.
On 30th December 2025, a day before the Meet the Press conference with the Ministers, the Opposition Party called Media houses to deliberate and clarify matters over deliberations held during the fourth session of the Fourth Parliament.
The Opposition Leader began the press conference with a brief insight on the Bills that were discussed during the fourth session.
They said the following bills were tabled. These are the Livestock Bill of Bhutan 2025,
Financial Services (Amendment) Bill of Bhutan 2025, Cooperatives and Farmer Groups Bill of Bhutan 2025, Alternative Dispute Resolution (Amendment) Bill of Bhutan 2025 and National Assembly (Amendment) Bill of Bhutan 2025.
Furthermore, reports from respective committees had been presented during the fourth session, discussing over the Tourism sector, Anti-Corruption Commission report, Toilet sanitation and WASH facilities in schools and Action Taken Reports.
Under the Action Taken Reports, the Opposition Party deliberated over issues such as the Class 10 cut-off point system, contract teachers, and problems pertaining to meals in Central Schools in Bhutan.
On the national agenda, Convention for Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and on the international agenda, framework agreement for the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) were discussed.
Financial Services (Amendment) Bill of Bhutan 2025
The Opposition Party clarified the deliberation on the Financial Services (Amendment) Bill of Bhutan 2025, which focuses on raising the payout amount of the Rural Life Insurance Scheme from Nu. 30,000 to Nu. 150,000.
This is a crucial and necessary intervention that will be beneficial for economically vulnerable people. The Opposition explains that with price inflations and rising cost of living, it will serve as an important lifeline for the people. Furthermore, the Opposition Party stated that the Party has always been in favour of implementing this amendment as they have addressed this in their pledges.
The Party has repeatedly urged and pressed the government in approving the bill. Furthermore, the Party also raised questions over budgetary concerns.
According to the Opposition, the Government had kept Nu. 263 million in reserve, and the Party has relentlessly questioned the government over its effective utilization and allocation concerns, hoping that a successful roll-out can be carried out.
Underutilization of budget
The Opposition answered that budget deficiency is apparent in every field. “There is less budget in the first place”, says the Opposition.
A significant hurdle lies in the changing administration system where the government changes every five years. Inconsistencies arise from “changing governments and changing policies, leading to budgetary challenges”, the Party elaborates.
Furthermore, the Party supplemented by stating that, “a careful and strategic analysis on Human Resource distribution and budget allocation” is required, and that the Opposition Party will deliberate and push more on this agenda.
The party also raised the Anti-Corruption Commission’s (ACC) ESP report and called for the resignation of the Finance Minister (see full story on pg1).
