In keeping with the tradition and as provided in the Constitution, His Majesty The King will grant Dakyen to Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering, the ministers, and the Speaker to formalise the formation of government today.

This completes the process to the formation of the government after the election of the representatives the National Assembly on October 18.

The conferring of the scarves follows the completion of the 10-day election petition period yesterday.

The Cabinet will also sit for their first meeting today evening to mark an auspicious opening. The inauspicious month, dhana begins tomorrow.

Most of the ministers said they would follow the good precedent in place and also work to improve service delivery to the public.

The minister, including Prime Minister and the Speaker began moving into the ministerial enclave at the Lhengye Densa in Motithang the day after their names were formally declared on November 3 to complete chadri for the ceremonies in time.

After receiving Dakyen from the Golden Throne they will proceed to their offices to assume their responsibilities. The khadar ceremony would then shift to their residences at the Lhengye Densa.   

Many relatives and well wishers have travelled from the villages a few days ahead of the main day to help in preparation of the celebrations, so much so that in the words of a few ministers, there were more people than there was work. The workforce is complemented with more people from the ministries.

The minister said they have kept the celebrations low key. “But certain things mostly related to religious aspects of the celebrations could not be left out,” one minister said.

The minister will be accompanied by their families for the Dakyen ceremony who have travelled from their villages for the purpose.

Education minister Jai Bir Rai’s mother travelled in the public bus from Phuentsholing yesterday to be with him during the Dakyen granting ceremony today. Finance minister Namgay Tshering’s 76-year-old mother would accompany him to the Trashichhodzong for the celebrations. Works and Human Settlements minister Dorji Tshering has his father, his brothers and even a group of well-wishers all the way from Sakteng have come to be part of the celebrations.

Tshering Palden