Dechen Dolkar 

Members of Parliament (MP) of the National Assembly want well-furnished, independent office space for each MP to address growing challenges with the current shared arrangement. 

Currently, 29 MPs share offices, with two MPs per room in the Parliament Building, leading to issues of privacy and limited meeting facilities.

During the first and second government tenures, the MPs’ offices were located outside the Parliament Building. In the third government’s term, MPs moved their offices to the Parliament Building midway through their term.

MPs had requested office space within the Parliament Building, citing security concerns and the need for proximity to the Speaker and Deputy Speaker during parliamentary sessions.

The chairperson of the Legislative Committee, MP Kuenga from the Nyishog-Saephu Constituency, said that there is no privacy when guests visit the parliamentarians. “The other MP in the room has to leave to accommodate visitors.”

Additionally, with only two meeting halls for nine parliamentary committees, MPs often face delays in scheduling committee sessions.

MPs are hoping to get independent workspace at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade (MoFAET), if they agree to vacate and relocate. 

Currently, the MoFAET occupies part of the Parliament Building.

He added that some of the current office partitions are made of thin boards, making it easy for conversations to be overheard in adjacent rooms.

MPs are provided with an iPad, laptop, and printer in their offices. However, the iPads are primarily used during parliamentary sessions for accessing session-related documents.

MP Kuenga said that many iPads have become non-functional after five years of use.

MPs have proposed a lump-sum budget to purchase higher-quality MacBook laptops to enhance their productivity.

He also pointed out that while MPs’ salaries are on par with ministry secretaries, their entitlements are not. 

The MP’s minimum basic salary is Nu 73,845 per month. MPs are entitled to a driver allowance of Nu 10,000 per month and a fuel and maintenance allowance of Nu 10,000 per month. In addition, MPs receive a lump sum of Nu 1 million to purchase a vehicle for one term.

MP Kuenga also highlighted the disparity between the entitlements of Bhutanese MPs and their counterparts in the region.

For example, in India, MPs receive a basic salary of approximately INR 100,000 per month, along with significant allowances and benefits. MPs receive a monthly constituency allowance of INR 70,000 to maintain their offices and interact with voters in their districts.

In addition, they get Rs 60,000 per month as office allowance, INR 2,000 per day during Parliamentary sessions, INR 150,000 annually for phone and internet expenses and 34 free domestic flights per year for themselves and their families.