Calling for issues...

Gyelyong Tshokhang

The third session of the Parliament will begin on 26 June 2009. But the agenda is not yet final. In fact, we don’t even have a draft agenda. But expect your MPs to discuss the Local Government Bill, Tobacco Bill, Royal Monetary Authority Bill, Civil Service Bill and the 2009-2010 Budget Bill during their summer session. There probably will be other bills too. But, for now, I invite our readers to go through these bills and give me your comments.  The bills should be on the relevant websites (That’s MOHCA, MOH, RMA, RCSC and MOF).

The Parliament will also discuss issues that are submitted by Local Governments. We’ll know what issues these are only after the draft agenda is out.

And individual MPs can also submit issues for the Parliament’s deliberation. So if you have pressing issues, which are of national importance, send them to me. And I’ll submit them to the National Assembly.  But send them to me during the weekend, as the deadline for submitting agenda points is Monday, 25 May.

CDG and future elections...

Free and fair?

I called on our Chief Election Commissioner yesterday. I called on him to report that the CDG, if implemented as proposed, will compromise the ECB’s ability to conduct future elections to the National Assembly in a free and fair manner. The Constitution (Article 24.1) and the Election Act (Chapter 3.34) specifically require the Election Commission of Bhutan to conduct elections “in a free and fair manner.”

Why would CDG hinder free and fair elections? Through CDG, our government places Nu 10 million at the disposal of the members of the National Assembly. How that money is used in their respective constituencies is finally up to MP from that constituency. The MP concerned has the authority to suggest project ideas, to consider all project proposals, to approve projects, and to divert funds from projects already approved that the MP may find unsatisfactory.

These are sweeping executive powers for MPs, members of a legislature that is not permitted to encroach on the executive’s powers. And, given the opportunity, MPs will use these State resources to maximize political gain. And the ECB’s ability to conduct future National Assembly elections “in a free and fair manner” would be seriously compromised.

I also reported to the Chief Election Commissioner that the CDG may constitute Office of Profit since MPs would have “powers of disbursement of State funds…” as described in the Election Act {Chapter 9.164(c)}. This particular Office of Profit, according to the Election Act, is not permitted, and may provide sufficient grounds to disqualify sitting members of parliament {Chaper 9.167(b)}

I’m hopeful that the ECB looks into this matter immediately, before some of us, eager MPs, get ourselves in trouble.

Artist Rajesh...

LOL OL LOL

The talk of cartoons yesterday has got me thinking of my favorite caricature. It’s done by Rajesh. And, guess what? Rajesh is Wangchuk’s younger brother. Yes, that Wangchuck…the one we were talking about yesterday.

So what do you think of this rendition of your OL? I’d used it as my avatar some time ago. And posted it on an earlier entry (What’s in a name?) Anyway, Rajesh, who sports Bhutan’s best ponytail, sketched this drawing while he was relaxing at Benez, reading a book and enjoying a cold Carlsberg. Pretty good, mo?

By the way Rajesh is a freelance artist. He uses a range of media including charcoal, watercolour, acrylic and oil to perform his magic. Yes, his work is that good. I’ve seen some of them. And what is Rajesh’s favourite form? Conceptual art (read what Wikipedia says about conceptual art)

Rajesh was a founding member-volunteer of Voluntary Artist Studio Thimphu. And he continues to offer free lessons to VAST’s children-members.

Drawing from cartoons...

"Boys, keep your earplugs secured"

I quite enjoyed Kuensel’s cartoon yesterday. Wangchuk, the artist, drew our eleven cabinet ministers huddled together, all of them smug and happy, and each clutching his Nu 2 million Constituency Development Grant.

The caricatures are so accurate that all eleven ministers are immediately recognizable, even at a first quick glance. And readers are already talking about which minister is most faithfully represented in the cartoon. In my opinion, almost all the ministers are drawn well. But five are simply outstanding. They are Lyonpo Nandalal, Lyonpo Minjur, Lyonpo Thakur Singh, and Lyonpo Ugyen Tshering. Yes, even Lyonpo Ugyen Tshering though only half his head is visible.

At the upper-right corner of the cartoon is a single man, clad in orange, and wearing a look that appears to be a cross between disgust and hopelessness. He, I think, is meant to be the NC Chairman.

And at the lower-right corner is a wild man yelling “Unfair! Unconstitutional!” to the ministers. But his raving and ranting is lost to the ministers, because all of them sport ear muffs. This crazy man is meant to be me. But most people I’ve spoken with say that, unlike the ministers, I’m not readily recognizable. Even I agree!

I’m surprised that Wangchuk didn’t come up with a funnier me. I thought that my oversized head, short hair, generous forehead, distinct cheekbones, chinky eyes, horn rimmed spectacles and massive jaws would make for easy caricature.

But, all in all, I really liked Wangchuk’s cartoon. He’s good. And here’s something I heard from his cousin today: Wangchuk was given only two hours to come up with the cartoon. Not bad.

Good local government...

local leaders

Yesterday, I was in Haa. I’d gone there to observe part of the Dzongkhag Yargay Tshogdu that was in session since the 19^th of May. And to receive instructions from the members of local government’s highest body in my dzongkhag.

During the past year, there’s been a lot of talk about local governments, especially about their capabilities. My position has been very consistent: that local governments, in all 20 dzongkhags, are competent, and that they are more than able to discharge their duties as enshrined in our constitution.

Yesterday, I saw that I was right. I saw that the DYT session I attended, though only briefly, was managed very well. Discussions on every issue were vibrant. And, even on difficult matters, the level and quality of debate was of a high standard. Much higher, I’m afraid, than that of the National Assembly.

So I will continue to insist for devolution and decentralization of resources and authority to local governments. Our sacred constitution demands nothing less.

CDG unconstitutional...

Yesterday, I called on our Minister of Finance. I met him to personally explain why the opposition feels that the Constituency Grant (CDG) is unconstitutional. In particular, I advised him that the CDG may violate the following provisions of our constitution.

Article 1.13: There shall be separation of the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary and no encroachment of each other’s powers is permissible except to the extent provided for by this Constitution.

The CDG, as proposed, require MPs (members of the legislature) to be involved in proposing, approving and monitoring projects in the gewogs. That is, the legislature will be carrying out executive functions. And this is unconstitutional.

Article 10.2: Parliament shall ensure that the Government safeguards the interests of the nation and fulfils the aspirations of the people through public review of policies and issues, Bills and other legislations, and scrutiny of State functions.

The CDG would require Members of Parliament to handle executive powers and responsibilities that go beyond the functions of the Parliament as described in this article.

Article 20.2: The Executive Power shall be vested in the Lhengye Zhungtshog which shall consist of the Ministers headed by the Prime Minister …

The CDG allows MPs to exercise executive powers thereby infringing on the powers of the Cabinet.

Article 22.1: Power and authority shall be decentralilzed and devolved to elected Local Governments to facilitate the direct participation of the people in the development and management of their own social, economic and environmental well-being.

The CDG provides MPs with considerable authority over funds meant for the development of gewogs. So the CDG infringes on the powers of the Local Governments. And it undermines the Local Governments.

Based on these arguments, I’m hopeful that our government will reconsider its approval of the CDG, and allow local governments full power and authority over these funds.

CDG poll results...

Of the 37 participants in the poll, 43% asked for more debate on the CDG by using our media. 35% felt that the CDG was unconstitutional and that the Ministry of Finance should be informed accordingly. And 22% said that ECB should be informed that the CDG breaks election laws.

Thank you for your advice.

Yesterday I officially informed that Minister of Finance that the CDG is unconstitutional. And I spoke with the media with the hope of facilitating public debate on this important issue.

INC, UPA: Congratulations...

Jai Ho!

Her Excellency, Shrimati Sonia Gandhi

President, Indian National Congress, and

Your Excellency:

I have the great honour and pleasure to convey my humble congratulations to you on the success of the Congress Party and of the UPA during the recently held parliamentary elections. The People of India have indeed chosen wisely.

I would also like to submit that the praise conferred upon you and Shri Rahul Gandhi for the astute leadership with which you have guided the Congress Party and UPA to victory in the elections is fully deserved.

I take this opportunity to wish the Congress Party every success in its forthcoming five years of government so that the friendly People of India may enjoy enduring peace, prosperity and happiness.

Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Tshering Tobgay

Leader of the Opposition Party

National Assembly of Bhutan

19 May 2009

Impressive healthcare professionals...

I had a toothache last week. So on Friday, I went to the JDWNR hospital where Dr Kuenga Penjor, a young dentist, showed me that one of my molars had developed a big cavity beneath an old filling. He quickly removed the old filling, cleaned the cavity, and applied a new filling. My aches gave gone, and my tooth now feels as good as new.

Dr Kuenga studied dentistry for six years at the Patna Dental College under a GOI scholarship. He is only 26 years old and has already decided to become an orthodontist. I’m impressed.

I’m also impressed with his assistant, Sangay Wangmo, a trainee at the Royal Institute of Health Sciences. I’m impressed with Sangay because, when I last saw her, more than two years ago, she was working at the Ministry of Labour and Human Resources as a receptionist. But she wanted to do more. So she enrolled at the RIHS. Another year and she’ll be a certified dental technician. Well done.

Raising funds honourably...

I was surprised to learn that “… the Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) leaders recently told their members of parliament (MPs) to raise money for the party.” (Read the Kuensel article). This is illegal. And I’m sure that the DPT leaders know that this is illegal.

The National Assembly Act of the Kingdom of Bhutan, 2008 forbids members of the National Assembly from fund raising. Section 54 under Chapter 7 (Role and Responsibility of the Members) specifically states that “A member shall not resort to any form of fund raising from individuals or ay agency.”

I’ve already accepted that we must be vigilant against our government’s tendency to disregard the law. But this is ridiculous. After all, we, the honourable members of parliament, were the ones who studied, debated and passed a law that prohibits MPs from engaging in fund raising. That law has been in place for not even a year, and it risks being broken by the very people who framed it.