Bhutan being a religious country, before initiation of any work astrological findings is carried out. The people would like to appeal if the Ministry could consult with Dratsang Lhentshog and establish a school of astrology at Takhambi Gewog in Mongar.

The Ministry has consulted on the issue with the Dratsang Lhentshog. However there are problems regarding the shortage of teachers of astrology and financial constraints. His Holiness the Je Khenpo has initiated the establishment of schools of astrology at Dechenphug and Pangrizampa for the welfare of the people and the Nation. The budget is also in place to build facilities for those schools in the Tenth Plan. The Dratsang Lhentshog has said that they would consider the possibility to establish schools of astrology in other Dzongkhags once the school at Pangrizampa is well established.

The flood of 2003 and 2007 in Yalang and Teytsho Gewogs severely affected the farmers with acres of land and crops being destroyed. The Government need to compensate and support the people since no support and compensation was received from relevant Ministries and agencies despite the report on the issue.

The issue was also raised during the 2nd session but we couldn’t present clarifications since the Disaster Management Department was not instituted during the time of flood. We will also ask the relevant departments of Ministry for Agriculture and the Ministry for Home and Cultural Affairs to assess the impact of the flood and send a report to the ministries. We are also in the process of formulating plans for compensations in case of disasters and the losses related to agriculture is being dealt by the Agriculture Ministry in the Dzongkhags

What are the Government’s policies concerning the use of ‘Patang’ and ‘kabney’ that are not awarded by His Majesty the King? How is the Government implementing these policies?

The issue was also deliberated in the 85th session of the National Assembly which concluded on the need to enact a law pertaining to Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs. The issue was not deliberated during the 86th session as the Constitution was being drafted. There is no need to worry as the Ministry will soon resolve the matters related to the issue.

The people of Dremitse Ngatshang Constituency would like to know that what measures are being taken by the Ministry to further strengthen Driglam Namzhag in the country. They would also like to know whether powers can be delegated to the Dzongkhag authorities for initiating activities to promote Driglam Namzhag.

The budget is in place for the promotion of Driglam Namzhag with 36 lakhs in the current year. By next year we plan to keep separate budget for all 20 Dzongkhags. The Ministry is planning to promote Driglam Namzhag through medium of broadcast and other associated programs. The cultural officers around the country are also propagating Driglam Namzhag through lectures and other means

Is there any possibility to exempt the fees for recheck of Board Examinations papers which causes burden on students with poor family background?

The fees were incurred due to risk and time involved in the works related to examination. However the Ministry will try to reduce the fees if possible during its annual conference.