His Excellency Tshogpon Jigme Tshultim, Speaker of the National Assembly attended the 3rd World Conference of Speakers of Parliament held in Geneva, Switzerland from 19th to 21st July 2010. He was accompanied by Hon. Sonam Kinga, Dy. Chairperson of National Council and Hon. Lhatu, Member of the National Assembly....

The 5th Session of the First Parliament concluded today. The concluding ceremony was graced by His Majesty the King. In his concluding speech, the Hon Speaker expressed thanks to His Majesty the King for gracing the occasion and said that successful conclusion of the fifth session is attributable to the blessings of triple gem, grace of His Majesty the King and merit of the Bhutanese People. ...

Yesterday, a series of question were asked to the Minister for Information & communication regarding mobile network connectivity to Laya, Lunana and Ngalam by the respective Members. Responding to the queries, the Minister for Information & Communication informed on the Government’s policy of universal connectivity throughout Bhutan by 2011. He also informed that Government will render additional fund to B-Mobile & Tashi-Cell this year to strengthen the telecommunication works. ...

The Australian Parliamentary delegation led by Senator Annette Hurley called on the Hon Speaker earlier this morning. The Hon Speaker extended a warm welcome to the delegation and emphasized on the friendly relations between the two countries. He said that Australia was one of the first countries to render assistance to Bhutan and also expressed appreciation for Australia’s cooperation in human resource development and other fields of training. ...

Today, the House deliberated on the third reading of the Water Bill, 2010. Deliberating on polluter pays principle, the House resolved that a person polluting water resources shall be responsible for the cost of containment, avoidance, abetment, mitigation, remediation, restoration and compensation for any loss, damage or injury. ...

An Australian Parliamentary delegation led by Senator Annette Hurley will visit Bhutan from 10th July to 14th July 2010. During their stay in Bhutan, the delegation will be granted an audience with His Majesty the King and call on the Hon Speaker, Prime Minister, Chairperson of National Council and other high ranking officials. The delegation will also observe the Parliamentary sessions and visit historical and religious places. ...

The Financial Services Bill of Bhutan 2010 was endorsed by the House after 37 of 39 Members present voted 'yes' for the Bill. Expressing his happiness on the endorsement, the Minister for Finance said that the Financial Services Act shall benefit the economy and the financial system of the country. He also added that hopefully need may not arise to amend the Act for a very long period. ...

The House deliberated on the third reading of the Financial Services Bill of Bhutan. The deliberations on the percentage of interest in shares of the financial institution were held at length after the Leader of Opposition raised concerns over section 50 of the Bill. He said that percentage of interests in share of a financial institution in case of a foreign financial institution should also be specified precisely in the Bill as in case of an individual which was 10% and in case of a non-financial institution which was 20% as recommended by the legislative committee. ...

Today, the Joint Sitting of the Parliament unanimously endorsed the Standards Bill of Bhutan, 2009 after 68 Members voted 'yes' in favour of the Bill. On the much deliberated section in the last joint sitting, it was resolved that there shall be a Bhutan Standards Bureau which shall be an autonomous body instead of a corporate. ...

Today, the Joint Sitting of the Parliament continued deliberations on the annual audit report. Led by the National Council Member from Trongsa, some of the Members set forth to telecast the Public Accounts Committee’s hearing sessions on TV. To this, the NC Member from Haa (PAC Member) informed that the hearing sessions were not telecast on TV because it was the first of its kind in the country. However, he informed that hereafter the media will be invited to cover PAC’s hearing sessions and also telecast on TV as convenient to BBS. ...

Today, the joint sitting of the Parliament deliberated on the performance audit report on the farm roads & industries of Bhutan. Extensive deliberations were observed regarding the construction of roads in 64 Gewogs which were still without roads. The recommendation of the Public Accounts Committee states that the construction of new roads should be withheld in Gewogs where roads already exist since 64 Gewogs still remained without any road. ...

The Minister for Works & Human Settlement informed that with the economic development and expansion of urban areas, more people were expected to migrate to urban places. He also emphasized on the importance of identifying Thromdes as per the constitution and added that most of the Thromdes were not new but those which were gradually expanding. ...

As per Article 13(11) of the Constitution, His Majesty the King has granted assent to the Service Conditions Act for the Holders of the Constitutional Offices, 2010 and Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan Act, 2010. ...