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Bhutan Politics |
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Bhutan Politics |
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His
Majesty shared his view with the members of the lhengye zhungtsho
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August
18, 2004
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HM King Jigme Singye Wangchuck
At
a special sitting of the lhengye zhungtsho on August 18, attended
by His Majesty the King, the reins of executive authority was handed
over by Lyonpo Jigmi Y. Thinley, to the new prime minister of Bhutan, Lyonpo
Yeshey Zimba.
His
Majesty the King expressed his satisfaction with the performance of the
government six years after the devolution of executive authority. |
His
Majesty also expressed his appreciation to the outgoing prime minister, Lyonpo
Jigmi Thinley, and the council of ministers, to the Kalyon and royal
advisory councillors for fulfilling their responsibility with loyalty and
dedication over the past year when Bhutan had faced a serious threat to
its national security.
His
Majesty pointed out that, as the country now moved into the year ahead,
the government had serious responsibilities to fulfill which were important
to the people and the nation. In this context His Majesty shared his views
with the members of the lhengye zhungtsho. His Majesty reminded
the members of the lhengye zhungtsho that the salary of the civil servants,
last revised about five years ago, was an important issue that needed to
be considered, keeping in mind the rising cost of living. His Majesty advised
that the council of ministers should carefully study all the implications
of a salary revision and come to a final decision.
Bhutan's
fiscal health was also an important issue for the government. His Majesty
said that the government was rightly concerned about the rising national
debt. The total debt exceeded Nu. 24 billion with the hard currency
loans at US$ 208 million and, even more important, the Rupee loan had now
reached Rs.14 billion. His Majesty added that Bhutan had always enjoyed
excellent relations with the government of India and deeply appreciated
the generous support that India had provided since the first Development
Plan. But, to maintain a healthy fiscal policy, it was important to
ensure that the government and people were not burdened by debt and that
a healthy debt-servicing ratio was maintained.
As
all the lhengye zhungtsho members were fully aware, the employment of
Bhutanese youth was an important issue, His Majesty said. According
to the ministry of labour and human resources a total of 9,107 graduates
and drop-outs from various institutions had come looking for jobs in the
past year. Out of this 7,329 had been given jobs or study opportunities
and 1,778 had not registered at all with the ministry. His Majesty said
that it was possible for Bhutan, with a small population, to provide jobs
for every individual if the government and the private sector worked together.
"With the rapid pace of development in the country, if our youth are unemployed,
it will be an indication that we are not following right economic policies,"
His Majesty said.
His
Majesty also advised the members of the lhengye zhungtsho that it was time
to establish the Dungsam Cement Factory. His Majesty reminded the
members that, during his visit in 1985, the Indian Prime Minister, Rajiv
Gandhi, had committed the establishment of the Dungsam Cement Project when
he addressed the National Assembly. But the project had been delayed because
there was no power supply to Dungsam. In 1996, during His Majesty's state
visit to India, Bhutan had formally signed an agreement on the Dungsam
Cement Project with the government of Prime Minister Narasimha Rao. But
the project had been delayed again because of the presence of ULFA and
NDFB militant camps in the area.
Now,
with Kurichu power supplied to Nganglam, the 37 kilometre road from
the highway in Assam to Nganglam to be repaired by Dantak, and the militant
threat removed, it was important that the project was started. With major
new power projects in the pipeline large quantities of cement would be
required, there would be many opportunities created for the private sector,
and the project would also provide employment and enhance the national
revenue.
His
Majesty said that, as the ministry of trade and industry had reported to
the National Assembly, private sector development was a government priority
and five sites were to be developed as industrial sites in Pasakha,
Jigmeling, Samdrup Jongkhar, Bongdima, and Tingtibi. His Majesty expressed
his view that Pasakha, Jigmeling and Samtse were more feasible because
of the wide space and infrastructure already available.
His
Majesty also reminded the lhengye zhungtsho members that the government
had made the commitment to purchase two new Airbus jets for the national
airline, Drukair. While the aircraft were needed for Drukair His
Majesty said that the lhengye zhungtsho must carefully consider the financial
implications of the purchase of the two aircrafts.
On
the Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan, His Majesty said that
the fourth draft had been completed. The Constitution had been delayed
in the past because of the militant problem and the final draft would be
sent to the lhengye zhungtsho by the end of the year. After discussions
in the lhengye zhungtsho the draft would be distributed and discussed with
the public of the 20 dzongkhags.
His
Majesty also informed the lhengye zhungtsho members that, in October this
year, the Crown Prince Dasho Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck, would be installed
as the Trongsa Penlop. His Majesty said that the Dhar would be conferred
in Tashichhodzong and, in keeping with tradition, the tendryil would be
performed in the Trongsa Dzong.
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The
former Prime Minister's view
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August
18, 2004
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The new Prime Minister, Lyonpo Yeshey Zimba
The
outgoing Prime Minister, Lyonpo Jigmi Thinley, said that the tendryil
ceremony for the change of prime minister was a precious opportunity for
the members of the lhengye zhungtsho to receive the guidance of His Majesty
the King. Lyonpo Jigmi Thinley said that it was through His Majesty the
King's wisdom that the council of ministers had been established as the
executive authority, making its decisions by consensus. |
Lyonpo
Jigmi Thinley said that the most important responsibility of the
Cabinet was to live up to the expectations of His Majesty the King and
to try to fulfill His Majesty's aspirations for the nation. He pointed
out that the prime minister was responsible and accountable for governance.
But, since the office of prime minister had no specific powers, the capacity
of the lhengye zhungtsho was determined by the degree of unity and cooperation
among the ministers. The lhengye zhungtsho had, in the past, worked in
close harmony, drawing on their collective wisdom on all decisions. This
would be even more important in the future because, if the ministers were
divided, the office of prime minister would be undermined and the system
would not work.The advantage for Bhutan, said Lyonpo Jigmi Thinley, was
that His Majesty the King was always there to provide guidance and support.
The Druk Gyalpo was the uniting factor of the Bhutanese system, providing
the small vulnerable nation the strength to survive and grow.
The new
Prime Minister, Lyonpo Yeshey Zimba, said that Bhutan had just emerged
from a deeply troubling period when His Majesty the King, with no regard
to his personal safety, had led the nation into a new era of security and
paved the way for a new period of development. His Majesty the King, in
his wisdom, had also outlined clear guidelines for the government, setting
goals that had to be achieved for the well being of the Bhutanese people.
Lyonpo Yeshey Zimba said that the government would face a critical period
in the next few years. His Majesty the King had devolved political authority
to the people and the system of governance would face many challenges before
the people were ready to take on such a grave responsibility. He said that,
while the elected ministers had the confidence of His Majesty the King,
there was reason for concern as the Bhutanese system went through significant
change. The recent session of the National Assembly had shown that while
the people were ready to differ with the government potential political
differences were also visible. It was important that, given these changes
already taking place, everyone gained the political maturity to serve the
interests of the nation and the people.
Ensuring
the success of the devolution of power by His Majesty represented a very
serious responsibility, said the Prime Minister. But, as in the past, the
lhengye zhungtsho would be guided by the clear vision of His Majesty the
King. If the ministers worked closely as a team the government would go
a long way in fulfilling the aspirations of His Majesty and the Bhutanese
people. Lyonpo Yeshey Zimba pledged to serve His Majesty the King, the
nation, and the people of Bhutan with complete loyalty and dedication..
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article was contributed by Kuensel, Bhutan's National Newspaper, 2004 |
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