KP Sharma 

Eight months into its term, the People’s Democratic Party government has fulfilled nine of the 14 executive orders and directives issued by the prime minister on the first day of taking over the reins of the government.

The remaining five are still in progress as relevant ministries are working on it.

The prime minister issued four executive orders and 10 directives to various ministries on the first day of office. These were largely aimed at implementing key campaign pledges of the party.

According to the Cabinet Secretariat, the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment (MoICE) currently has three executive orders in progress, while the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport (MoIT) and the Ministry of Health (MoH) are each working on one.

Among the 10 directives, the review of the FDI policy, a comprehensive assessment of business regulatory processes, and the development of an action plan to boost tourism are ongoing within MoICE.

The directive for the MoH to submit a proposal to enhance JDWNRH services and operations and a feasibility study on constructing new airstrips by MoIT are also underway.

Some popular campaign promises such as the discontinuation of the Nu 10 fee at the pedestrian terminal in Phuentsholing was implemented from January 30 and the designation of Saturday as a non-school day was implemented from May 2.

Regarding the tenancy agreement for Changjiji colony residents, the government has allowed occupants to stay in NHDCL housing units for up to 10 years or until retirement, subject to certain conditions.

The directive to establish an Economic Development Board (EDB) has been fulfilled, with an EDB secretariat also set up. The inaugural EDB meeting took place on February 20, 2024, and the Department of Industry now houses the secretariat.

A high-level task force has been formed to implement the Nu 15 billion Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP).

The government has completed the review of the foreign direct investment (FDI) policy and has submitted to the cabinet and a cabinet sub-committee has been established to study the proposed FDI rules and regulations 2024, currently under consultation.

One of the government’s popular pledges to review the Individual Work Plan (IWP) for teachers has also been completed.

A committee comprising representatives from the RCSC, education experts, principals, and teachers prepared the review report, which was submitted to the cabinet secretariat on February 20, 2024.

The report proposed a new national-level moderation system, with objective criteria developed by MoESD and exemptions from the IWP system for 166 smaller primary schools.

The Royal Civil Service Commission (RCSC) has accepted the proposal, and the new system will be implemented from the 2025 academic year, with provisions for further review if necessary.

The feasibility study on new domestic airstrips is ongoing, with a preliminary report submitted to the cabinet secretariat on May 18, 2024. The cabinet has directed MoIT to carry out more detailed assessments, covering flight procedures, meteorological studies, optimal runway orientation, and obstacle assessments for potential airstrip sites.

In response to a directive regarding the regularisation of contract employees, the government has extended the term for ESP and GSP contract staff from three to five years, with discussions ongoing to potentially extend it to eight years.

The directive on the development of an action plan to increase tourist arrivals is in progress, with the action plan submitted to the cabinet secretariat on February 29, 2024. This plan comprises 21 major actions and 72 sub-actions, which are currently being rolled out.

For tourism promotion, the Bhutan Tourism Strategy Report, aimed at guiding embassies, missions, and consulates in enhancing Bhutan’s tourism sector from 2024-2029, was submitted to the cabinet on August 4, 2024.

The cabinet has approved the report’s implementation in principle, with some conditions for periodic review.

The directive to review the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) for tourists visiting border towns in the south has also been completed.

The cabinet extended the current SDF waiver to 24 hours for all border towns for one year, until April 13, 2025, with further review planned.

This waiver now applies to newly approved official entry routes in these towns as well.

The proposal to enhance JDWNRH services and operations is still in progress, though a report detailing 19 prioritised areas and 46 actions has been submitted and approved by the cabinet. The implementation of these improvements is now underway.

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