As the interim government took over the reins of the  government yesterday, the outgoing prime minister, Dasho Tshering Tobgay said the government had left behind legacies and good precedents for the future governments.

Following the Royal Kasho appointing advisors of the interim government, Dasho Tshering Tobgay and out-going ministers signed the handing-taking order of the office with the cabinet secretary  and secretaries of the respective ministries.

This was followed by the last meet-the-press session wherein Dasho Tshering Tobgay said he prayed for a successful tenure of the interim government and the future government.

His last meeting was with the Gross National Happiness Commission (GNHC). “This was auspicious as they initiated the 11th Plan and framed the 12th Plan,” he said.

As the cabinet dissolved, Dasho Tshering Tobgay said that the implementation of 11th Plan was in excess of what was planned. The budget, he said also increased from Nu 147B in the 10th Plan to Nu 225B in the 11th Plan. Despite the increased budget, he said that the outgoing government must be commended for maintaining the fiscal deficit at an all time low. Grant assistance, he said, was recorded the highest.

However, he said that the future government must be cautious as the 12th Plan is very ambitious as it has planned the country’s transition from category of least developed countries to middle income group.

The estimated budget for the 12th Plan is Nu 336B. “This is why I have told our civil servants and the GNHC to not to hesitate to downsize the planned budget if future government is unable to gather resources,” he said, adding that this is the greatest risk ahead.

As for the outgoing government, Dasho Tshering Tobgay said that it is achievable, given its experience and capabilities. The 12th Plan was framed based on this, he said.

The 12th Plan, he said was a good opportunity for the next government to capitalise on firm economic foundation and an ambitious plan.

He also said that the government leaves behind good precedents that future governments must continue. “We handed over our duty vehicles. We are a poor country and we cannot seek for unreasonable entitlements. We are glad that all 11 of us are part of this.”

What the government leaves behind?

Among many other sector specific outcomes, Dasho Tshering Tobgay said that this government has shown a way to the future government as to how to fulfill His Majesty’s aspirations and serve Him well.

Another legacy, according to the outgoing government, was it left behind a sound and stable economy. “We are leaving behind a strong and stable economy built on a very firm foundation as we progress into a middle income country,” Dasho Tshering Tobgay said.

Enriched foreign relation was another acheivement the government claimed it was leaving behind.

Dasho Tshering Tobgay said that relations with both India and China has reached a new height. In addition a cordial relation with the country’s neighbours including Bangladesh, Nepal and Thailand was further strengthened.

Relations with donor countries like Japan and EU, he said are at its best. ”Even countries like USA has faith and trust in us,” he added.

The People’s Democratic Party government, he said, brought about unity among people as it has not differentiated people based on which party they supported.

Corruption, he said, has never been heard of. “We have learnt that if the government served its people with good-intention, there won’t be corruption,” he said.

He added that the government had been intolerant to corruption and that he personally asked the Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate charges against him like the conflict of interest on electric vehicles and security wall of the prime minister’s residence.

Tshering Dorji

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