Choki Wangmo

His Majesty The King graced the opening ceremony of the fourth session of the third Parliament yesterday.

Speaker Wangchuk Namgyel expressed their deepest gratitude to Their Majesties whose vision ensured that not a single Bhutanese life is lost to the global pandemic.

“His Majesty The King has tirelessly visited southern borders and various dzongkhags leaving aside numerous royal engagements, making sacrifices to the Royal Family, working through endless nights and sacrificing sleep and even meals,” the speaker said.

Speaker also thanked His Majesty The King for relief programme which granted continuous monetary and financial support to the families and individuals affected by the global pandemic. He also thanked His Majesty for the initiative to repatriate Bhutanese from abroad.

Led by His Holiness the Je Khenpo, the speaker thanked the monastic body for conducting prayers and religious activities for the prevention of the global pandemic.

The new member of Parliament from the Chhoekhor-Tang constituency of Bumthang, Dawa, officially joined the office yesterday. He changed the kabney in the presence of the speaker, chief justice, and members of the National Assembly.

The member then took the oath or affirmation of office administered by the Chief Justice. 

The fourth session of the third Parliament will deliberate Entitlement and Service Conditions (Amendment) Act for the Holders, Members and Commissioner of Constitutional Ofices of Bhutan 2020,  Lhengye Zhungtshog Bill of Bhutan 2020, and  Fiscal Incentives Bill of Bhutan 2020, among others.

The joint sitting of the Parliament will discuss the Civil and Criminal Procedural Code (Amendment) Bill of Bhutan 2019, the Penal Code (Amendment) Bill of Bhutan 2019, the Annual Audit Report 2019, and the Annual Report on the State of the Nation, including Legislative Plans and Annual Plans and Priorities of the Government by the Prime Minister. 

Among other agendas, the House will re-deliberate Mines and Minerals Bill of Bhutan 2020, Negotiable Instruments (Amendment) Bill of Bhutan 2020, Charter (Amendment) of the SAARC Development Fund 2020, BIMSTEC convention on cooperation in international terrorism, and transnationl organised crime and illicit drug trafficking.

The session will conclude on December 14.