National Assembly deliberations this week

Posted in Labels: | 12:13 AM

27 November 2009

Monday
Second Reading on the Standards Bill of Bhutan 2009
Minister for Works and Human Settlement highlighted the establishment of Bhutan Standards Bureau in order to assure the quality standard of goods. Most members emphasized that the bureau should function autonomously.
The house also deliberated on quality standard. The bill has been referred to the Private Sector Development Committee for further deliberation. Second Reading on the Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan (Amendment) Bill 2009 Extensive deliberation took place on whether the word “royal” should be used in the existing title of the act. Finance Minister and many members submitted that the word be retained.
Finance Minister submitted that it was better to table the bill as a new one. However, a member said that, if the bill was tabled as new one, there should be a clear section in the bill stating that the 1982 RMA Act was repealed. The bill has been referred to the Public Accounts Committee for further deliberation.
Tuesday
Question Hour
The member from Lhamoizingkha- Trashiding submitted if it was possible for the government to establish police outposts in bordering gewogs of his constituency. Home Minister responded that since the ministry was in touch with the Indian counterparts on security issues, there is no requirement of police outposts in the constituency.
It was resolved that a report be submitted to the house.
Second Reading on the Tobacco Control Bill 2009 Health Minister submitted that, while adopting the bill, tobacco control in the country should be maintained as before. Foreign Minister proposed that other forms of drug be included in the bill.
Deliberation on the endorsement of list of thromde.
Works and Human Settlement Minister presented the list of three categories of thromde – category A, B and yenlag thromde. Category A include Thimphu, Phuentsholing and Gelephu, category B, one thromde in each dzongkhag headquarters and eight small towns as yenlag thromde. Opposition Leader, however, said it was too early to deliberate on thromde as His Majesty had not assented the Local Government Bill 2009.
Wednesday
Continued deliberation on list of thromde.
The house deliberated on the establishment of yenlag thromde at length. Works and Human Settlement Minister submitted that while establishing thromde, population and the prospect of business should be considered.
The Speaker held that deliberation on thromdes would be resumed if His Majesty assented the Local Government Bill during the current session.
Third Reading on the Standards Bill of Bhutan 2009
The Opposition Leader reiterated that it was important to clarify whether the Bhutan Standards Bureau would be overseeing the standards in other ministries including occupational standards.
Works and Human Settlement Minister said the bureau could not oversee standards in every sector. The house resolved that Bhutan Standards Bureau would be an autonomous body instead of a corporate as stated in the bill and that the chairperson shall be a minister of a relevant ministry.
Thursday
Continued deliberation on the Standards Bill 2009
The house resolved to retain the title as Bhutan Standards Bill after deliberating on Bhutan Standards Bureau Bill. The Bill will be adopted today. Third reading of the Royal Monitory Authority (Amendment) Bill 2009 The house re-deliberated on the bill and resolved to retain ‘Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan’ as the title.
The house also resolved that the bill would be tabled as a new bill instead of an amendment. The house saw deliberation on the establishment of tribunal to resolve conflicts between financial institutions.
Deliberating on the appointment of the chairperson of the board, some members asked whether the governor and the chairperson should be the same person. The Opposition Leader said that there might be differences in opinion if the chairperson and the governor are two different people.
The house also deliberated on the appointment of members to the board. The member from Goenkhatoe-Laya constituency said that if the chairperson of the board and the governor are appointed by the government, it may undermine checks and balances.
The Works and Human Settlement Minister, however, submitted that RMA needed to consult the government regarding policies to avoid any financial and other monetary related problems.
The deliberation on the bill resumes today.

Monday

Second Reading on the Standards Bill of Bhutan 2009

Minister for Works and Human Settlement highlighted the establishment of Bhutan Standards Bureau in order to assure the quality standard of goods. Most members emphasized that the bureau should function autonomously.

The house also deliberated on quality standard. The bill has been referred to the Private Sector Development Committee for further deliberation. Second Reading on the Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan (Amendment) Bill 2009 Extensive deliberation took place on whether the word “royal” should be used in the existing title of the act. Finance Minister and many members submitted that the word be retained.

Finance Minister submitted that it was better to table the bill as a new one. However, a member said that, if the bill was tabled as new one, there should be a clear section in the bill stating that the 1982 RMA Act was repealed. The bill has been referred to the Public Accounts Committee for further deliberation.

Tuesday

Question Hour

The member from Lhamoizingkha- Trashiding submitted if it was possible for the government to establish police outposts in bordering gewogs of his constituency. Home Minister responded that since the ministry was in touch with the Indian counterparts on security issues, there is no requirement of police outposts in the constituency.

It was resolved that a report be submitted to the house.

Second Reading on the Tobacco Control Bill 2009 Health Minister submitted that, while adopting the bill, tobacco control in the country should be maintained as before. Foreign Minister proposed that other forms of drug be included in the bill.

Deliberation on the endorsement of list of thromde.

Works and Human Settlement Minister presented the list of three categories of thromde – category A, B and yenlag thromde. Category A include Thimphu, Phuentsholing and Gelephu, category B, one thromde in each dzongkhag headquarters and eight small towns as yenlag thromde. Opposition Leader, however, said it was too early to deliberate on thromde as His Majesty had not assented the Local Government Bill 2009.

Wednesday

Continued deliberation on list of thromde.

The house deliberated on the establishment of yenlag thromde at length. Works and Human Settlement Minister submitted that while establishing thromde, population and the prospect of business should be considered.

The Speaker held that deliberation on thromdes would be resumed if His Majesty assented the Local Government Bill during the current session.

Third Reading on the Standards Bill of Bhutan 2009

The Opposition Leader reiterated that it was important to clarify whether the Bhutan Standards Bureau would be overseeing the standards in other ministries including occupational standards.

Works and Human Settlement Minister said the bureau could not oversee standards in every sector. The house resolved that Bhutan Standards Bureau would be an autonomous body instead of a corporate as stated in the bill and that the chairperson shall be a minister of a relevant ministry.

Thursday

Continued deliberation on the Standards Bill 2009

The house resolved to retain the title as Bhutan Standards Bill after deliberating on Bhutan Standards Bureau Bill. The Bill will be adopted today. Third reading of the Royal Monitory Authority (Amendment) Bill 2009 The house re-deliberated on the bill and resolved to retain ‘Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan’ as the title.

The house also resolved that the bill would be tabled as a new bill instead of an amendment. The house saw deliberation on the establishment of tribunal to resolve conflicts between financial institutions.

Deliberating on the appointment of the chairperson of the board, some members asked whether the governor and the chairperson should be the same person. The Opposition Leader said that there might be differences in opinion if the chairperson and the governor are two different people.

The house also deliberated on the appointment of members to the board. The member from Goenkhatoe-Laya constituency said that if the chairperson of the board and the governor are appointed by the government, it may undermine checks and balances.

The Works and Human Settlement Minister, however, submitted that RMA needed to consult the government regarding policies to avoid any financial and other monetary related problems.

The deliberation on the bill resumes today.

From Bhutan Observer

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