Our newspapers reported that the cabinet has approved the constituency development grant last week (read Bhutan Observer). I join the NC Chairman in expressing complete shock at the cabinet’s decision. Here are a few reasons, most of which I’ve shared with BBS, why we should be seriously concerned if the CDG has really been approved:
1. It is unconstitutional. Our Constitution declares that “there shall be separation of the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary and no encroachment of each other’s powers is permissible.” Allowing MPs to implement the CDG amounts to the legislature encroaching on the executive.
2. It undermines local governments. Our Constitution declares that “power and authority shall be decentralized and devolved to elected Local Governments…” By granting Nu 2 million per year per constituency as CDG, MPs retain a considerable amount of direct control over development funds. This will seriously undermine the “power and authority” of the Gewog Tshogdes.
3. It undermines the National Council. During the second session, the NC resolved that the CDG is unconstitutional and submitted the matter to His Majesty the King. In approving the CDG, the government may have totally disregarded the NC’s resolution.
4. Rules have not been approved. During the first session of the parliament, the NC and NA, in the joint sitting, resolved that they would continue deliberating the CDG in the next session, and instructed the government to present draft rules on the CDG at that time. The CDG rules were not presented or discussed during the second session of the parliament.
5. It is not fair. If members of the National Assembly require a constituency development grant, what about members of the National Council? They too have constituencies. They too made promises. And what about gups? And mangmis? And tshopas? All of them also have constituencies and also have promises to fulfill.
6. It will breed corruption. The CDG looks a lot like slush funds – the money is not earmarked for any specific purpose, and it will be used to gain political mileage.
7. It is inefficient. If money is available (and it must be, hence CDG), use it to fund development work as part of the 10th Five Year Plan. The ruling party’s promises, and that of its MPs, should and must be fully covered in the Plan. Extra money, if any, should be placed at the disposal of local governments. After all, they will have a much more intimate knowledge of the problems and the opportunities in their gewogs.
8. Learn. Several countries that have similar schemes – India, for example – are trying to abolish them. But they can’t. Why? Politicians, who are the ones who stand to gain the most from such schemes, will not agree to do away with them. Let’s learn from the mistakes of others.
Posted by Tshering Tobgay in
Legislature on April 20, 2009 8:00 am |
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