SARBHANG

The constituency development grant has been mired in controversies. The next controversy surrounding it is whether the projects initiated under it are in line with the CDG guidelines.

Seven MPs are already using the grant for scholarships, construction, renovation, maintenance and purchase of various machineries. Free ferry transportation across Mao Khola, for instance, should not to be covered by CDG, say some legislators, because the operation of free boat service falls under recurrent expenses which, according to the CDG guidelines, fall under activities that cannot be financed by CDG.

“How long can such free services be provided?” wrote Lobsang Dorji, a Bhutanese working in America on the Opposition Leader Tshering Tobgay’s blog. The provision of scholarship, too, may fall under recurrent expenditure, said some people Observer spoke to. Scholarships for students are one of Speaker Jigme Tshultrium’s CDG-funded activities.

Now with the Election Commission of Bhutan declaring CDG unconstitutional, some people wonder whether certain activities initiated in alleviationthe constituencies through CDG could be revoked. And what would happen to the projects underway if CDG is revoked as suggested by the election commission? What would ECB do if the government refuses to revoke it?

To this, the Chief Election Commissioner, Dasho Kunzang Wangdi, said the commission had full faith in the cabinet ministers. “Therefore, we are confident that they would see logic and resolve this minor aberration lawfully in favour of the larger public interest,” he said.

Out of the seven constituencies that are making use of the grant, two are in Trashigang, two in Sarpang, and one each in Tsirang, Mongar and Punakha dzongkhags.

Betini Gewog under Kilkhorthang-Mendregang constituency in Tsirang has availed the grant. The MP of the constituency, Deputy Speaker Yangku Tshering Sherpa, said the tender for farm road construction will be floated in November.

CDG-funded projects are in full swing in Wamrong constituency.

So far, Nu 2 million of the Nu 4 million grant has been used. According to the MP of Wamrong constituency, Lhatu, he received numerous proposals but passed only those that were relevant.

By Metho Dema and Jigme Wangchuk

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