The Parliament session concluded yesterday with a Zhugdrel Phunsum Tshogpa ceremony, the members of the Parliament offered prayers for the good health and long life of His Majesty The King, the members of the Royal Family and continued peace and happiness of the people.

Speaker Wangchuk Namgyel said at the first session of third Parliament was a fruitful one.

The Parliament approved the budget report for the financial year 2018-2019, and adopted capital budget of Nu 11,380.192 million for January – June 2019.

The House also endorsed the 12th Plan, the annual audit report 2017 of the Public Accounts Committee, ratified two protocols, and motions were deliberated and question hour sessions carried out.

National Assembly endorsed nine standing committees as per the provisions of the Constitution and National Assembly Act. The members reduced the number of committees to nine from 11.

“Therefore, it is imperative that the committees review and amend, and harmonise laws in line with the provisions of the Constitution for the well-being of the people with changing times,” the Speaker said. “The members have carried out deliberations freely to ensure proper check and balance, and achieved fruitful outcomes.”

The resolutions passed by the House will be forwarded to relevant ministries and agencies for necessary action and implementation.

“It is hopeful that the committees carry out effective legislative proceedings through representative and oversight function, and carry out public hearings and submit a report thereof to the House for deliberation.”

The Speaker thanked His Majesty The King for his tireless efforts for the welfare of our people thereby granting citizenship and land kidu to achieve food sufficiency in the country.

“His Majesty has recently granted building materials, seeds and seedlings as soelrey to the people of Matabkha gewog to support the community initiative to achieve food sufficiency and increase production. The Parliament offers its unwavering gratitude to His Majesty for such noble initiatives,” Tshogpon Wangchuk Namgyel said.

“His Holiness the Je Khenpo presided over the World Peace Moenlam Chenmo in Punakha and Pemagatshel for eternal peace in the country and for the wellbeing of the Bhutanese people and presided over Ka-Choe-Wang-Lung in various places.”

The Speaker said that with the blessing of the Triple Gem, mighty grace of His Majesty, collective merits of the Bhutanese people and continued support of the members, the First Session of the Parliament has been successful.

The concluding ceremony of the Parliament session that began on January 2 was also attended by the members of the Royal Family, representatives of the Central Monastic Body, senior government officials and foreign dignitaries.

Tshering Palden