Other Bills to be presented includes Goods and Services Tax Amendment Bill 2024 and Cattle Tax Exemption Bill 2024

KP Sharma

The National Assembly (NA) will begin its second session of the fourth Parliament on November 14, with discussions planned around bills, motions, and policy updates.

The session will introduce the Parliamentary Entitlement Bill, which addresses benefits for Members of Parliament (MPs).

The Parliamentary Entitlement Bill, which previously drew public criticism for allegedly prioritising MPs’ benefits over public needs, is being reconsidered to address inconsistencies in the Pay Structure Reform Act of 2022, according to deputy Speaker Sangay Khandu.

He explained that Bill’s objective is to strengthen the functioning of Parliament, rather than serving the personal interests of MPs.

The deputy Chairperson of the Legislative Committee, MP Damche Tenzin, said that the Bill had undergone thorough deliberations to ensure that it addresses systemic inconsistencies.

Other bills to be presented include the Goods and Services Tax Amendment Bill 2024, which aims to update and improve the current tax framework, as well as the Cattle Tax Exemption Bill 2024, which seeks to address tax relief for livestock farmers.

Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay will update the house on the Max Moderation Exercise for civil servants, including recommended changes to the bell curve performance evaluation system.

The Minister for Energy and Natural Resources will report on the compensation for landowners affected by the installation of electric poles on farmland, while the Minister for Agriculture and Livestock will provide updates on compensation for crop and livestock losses, a topic discussed in the previous session.

The Minister of Health will update the house on health services and healthcare access, while the Finance Minister will discuss the status of the Constituency Development Grant, which has been a bone of contention among lawmakers.

The Economic and Finance Committee is expected to present recommendations on the Economic Stimulus Plan (ESP), focusing on improving the disbursement process and addressing concerns raised during consultations with stakeholders.

The Women, Children, and Youth Committee will make recommendations for crime prevention and safety, while the Social and Cultural Committee will propose options for the closure and potential repurposing of the College of Language and Culture Studies in Taktse.

Further motions on the agenda include discussions on the Pension Act, amendments to the Pay Structure Reform Act of 2022, and proposed changes to sections 19 and 20 of the Property Tax Act of 2022 to resolve issues related to land valuation for Chhuzhing and Kamzhing lands.

The Social and Cultural Committee will propose a resolution regarding the recent decision by the Royal University of Bhutan to admit only 20 percent of Class XII graduates to higher education institutions, limiting opportunities for the remaining 80 percent.

The Parliament will also review the Performance Audit Report 2024 on the State Mining Corporation Limited, and the annual report from the Anti-Corruption Commission.

The winter session will conclude on December 11.