His Majesty The King graced the closing ceremony of the fourth Session of the Third Parliament yesterday. The fourth session commenced on November 26.
MB Subba
His Majesty The King graced the closing ceremony of the fourth session of the third Parliament yesterday.
The Speaker, the National Council (NC) Chairperson, the prime minister and the opposition leader expressed gratitude to His Majesty for the visionary leadership during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Paying tribute to His Majesty, Speaker Wangchuk Namgyel said that Bhutanese are indeed fortunate to have been born in the most blessed country and even more fortunate to be the citizens under the glorious and benevolent reign of His Majesty The King.
He said that His Majesty The King has tirelessly visited southern borders and risky areas, making great sacrifices to the Royal Family, all for the security and safety of the country and the people.
“His Majesty has sacrificed everything to ensure happiness and comfort to the people of Bhutan,” he said, offering the deepest gratitude on behalf of Parliament.
The Speaker also thanked the monastic body for performing numerous prayers and religious activities for benefit of the country and the people.
“Amid the global pandemic, our country remains safe: Firstly, it is due to the blessings of our Triple Gem. Secondly, it is due to the wise leadership His Majesty the King. Thirdly, it is due to conduct of numerous prayers from the Monastic Bodies,” Speaker Wangchuk Namgyel said.
Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering offered gratitude for His Majesty’s leadership and guidance in the prevention and management of the Covid-19 cases.
He said that His Majesty’s kidu had benefited about 35,000 people whose incomes were affected due to the Covid-19 pandemic, among whom 25,000 had children and that kidu was granted accordingly.
Lyonchhen said that the interest waivers on loans had also benefited many people. His Majesty’s kidu for elderly people across the country had also benefited immensely.
Dr Lotay Tshering submitted that proper data were being compiled to assess as to how many actually lost jobs.
NC Chairperson Tashi Dorji offered gratitude to His Majesty on behalf of the NC for various royal initiatives to keep the country safe from Covid-19. He thanked His Majesty for the relief flights that brought home around 4,500 Bhutanese safely home amid the pandemic.
He also submitted that about 9,000 DeSuups had benefited from the monthly payments provided to them amid the pandemic. Tashi Dorji thanked development partners and donors for their generous support during the pandemic.
Opposition Leader Dorji Wangdi offered gratitude to His Majesty for the construction of the highways, including the Jomotshangkha-Samrang highway during the Covid-19 pandemic. “People have benefited immensely from them,” he said.
He also said that granting of the land kidu to the people of Punakha and Gasa during the 40th Birth Anniversary of His Majesty held in Punakha had not only solved the land problems but also strengthened the national goal of self-reliance.
He thanked His Majesty The King for the guidance and wisdom provided to the Opposition Party in serving the country.
The Mines and Minerals Bill 2020, the Anti-Corruption Commission (Amendment) Bill of Bhutan 2019, the Civil and Criminal Procedural Code (Amendment) Bill of Bhutan 2019 and the Penal Code (Amendment) Bill of Bhutan 2019 were among the important Bills deliberated in the session.