Thinley Namgay
His Majesty the King graced the opening ceremony of the second session of the Fourth Parliament yesterday in Thimphu.
His Majesty was received with a traditional Chipdrel ceremony. The members of Royal Family, senior government officials, foreign diplomats, and students from various schools attended the ceremony.
In his address, National Assembly (NA) Speaker Lungten Dorji expressed gratitude to His Majesty the King for gracing the ceremony and highlighted the significance of His Majesty’s ongoing initiatives for the country and the people.
Lungten Dorji noted that the recent Bhutan Innovation Forum had successfully promoted the Gelephu Mindfulness City project, an international platform recognised for its focus on sustainability, innovation, and Bhutanese values.
“The forum, centered on consciousness, innovation, and sustainability, aimed to serve as a foundational platform for advancements in digital technologies, ecology, nature, education, and health, both within Bhutan and internationally,” the speaker said.
The speaker also commended His Majesty for being named as one of Time100 Climate Leaders for 2024, in recognition of His Majesty’s environmental leadership and vision for a sustainable future.
“His Majesty’s vision for the Gelephu Mindfulness City project has been internationally recognised for championing environmental protection alongside business and economic sustainability.
For this, His Majesty was named one of Time’s 100 Climate Leaders for 2024. The Parliament of Bhutan extends its heartfelt congratulations to His Majesty,” the Speaker said.
Lungten Dorji acknowledged His Majesty’s leadership on key national projects such as Gyalsung, Thimphu Changyul Park, and Integrated Check Post in Darranga, Samdrupjongkhar. These initiatives, according to the Speaker, have greatly benefited the people and the nation.
The speaker also expressed gratitude to His Holiness the Je Khenpo, spiritual masters, trulkus, and the Zhung Dratshang for their extensive religious rituals conducted for the peace, harmony, and prosperity of the country.
During this session, the NA will deliberate on the Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill of Bhutan 2024, the Cattle Tax Exemption Bill of Bhutan 2024, and the Parliamentary Entitlements (Amendment) Bill of Bhutan 2024.
The joint sitting of Parliament will discuss the Performance Audit Report of State Mining Corporation Limited.
The 34th session of the National Council (NC) of Bhutan also commenced yesterday.
The chairperson of the NC, Sangay Dorji, expressed gratitude to His Majesty for tirelessly working for the peace and prosperity of the country and the people.
He thanked His Majesty for steering major initiatives such as the Bhutan Innovation Forum, Gyalsung, and Desuung, as well as for the successful foreign visits that have strengthened Bhutan’s international relations.
During this session, the NC will deliberate and adopt review reports, bills and Air Service Agreement. Some of the review reports include Rural Credit Access in Bhutan, Anti-Corruption Commission’s Annual Report 2023, Education related Legislation, and the State of Media in Bhutan.
The NA will begin its proceedings today with question-and-answer session, followed by the first and second readings of three key bills: the Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill of Bhutan 2024, the Cattle Tax Exemption Bill of Bhutan 2024, and the Parliamentary Entitlements (Amendment) Bill of Bhutan 2024.
Meanwhile, the NC will deliberate on follow-up reports on the resolutions of its 33rd session, followed by the presentation of the interim report on the state of tourism in Bhutan.