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On the petition submitted by Zhemgang Dzongkhag Tshogdu to upgrade Zhemgang Central School to a college, the Education Minister reported that the Ministry of Education would study the possibility to introduce a college in Zhemgang Dzongkhag or upgrade the existing school and accordingly submit a proposal to the Cabinet. 

The Finance Minister today presented the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Bill 2017 in the House. The Bill has been endorsed by the House for the third reading after the Finance Minister submitted on the objectives and principles of the Bill. He said that once the Bill is passed, it would benefit in matters pertaining to FDI and ease of doing business among others.

The Marriage Bill of Bhutan 2017 was tabled for the third reading in the House today. The Chairperson of the Women, Children & Youth Committee who is also the Member from Chumey-Ura constituency informed that the Bill has been extensively reviewed and deliberated not only in committee meetings but also with various stakeholders. He further informed that it had become imperative to pass a new law on marriage as…....

Ms. Elizabeth Hart, an Anti-Corruption consultant based in the United states and Ms. Elodie Birth Seo, UNDP Anti Corruption Advisor based in Asia Pacific Regional Office in Bangkok met with the Hon’ble Speaker Jigme Zangpo and  Hon’ble Member Yogesh Tamang, Chairperson for the Good Governance Committee on 9^th of May 2017. The team is in the country to plan the next five year strategy for the Anti Corruption Commission.

Drop in happiness ranking questioned

The Leader of the Opposition questioned the Prime Minister on the drop of Bhutan’s ranking in the world happiness report from 84^th place out of 157 countries in 2016 to 97^th place out of 150 countries in 2017. He further questioned the plans and policies of the government to improve the happiness standard in the country.

Answering the query, the Prime Minister said that…....

The Finance Minister today presented the report of the Third Pay Commission and the Pay Revision Report 2017. The Minister reported that based on the recommendation of the commission, government has decided to revise the pay of local government members by 40%, daily allowance by 33% to 66% along with the entitlement to claim mileage while traveling outside Gewogs and Thromdes. The Special Responsibility Allowance for Chairpersons and Deputy Chairpersons…....

The Finance Minister today presented the annual budget for the financial year 2017-18 to the House with the outlay of Nu. 55,850.264 million. However, as per the report, the total budget appropriation for the financial year is Nu.60,777.871 million including a total expenditure of Nu.57,915.710 million, lending of Nu. 41.840 million and repayment of Nu. 2,820.321 million.

The joint sitting of Parliament unanimously passed the Customs Bill of Bhutan 2017 earlier this morning after all 69 members present voted in favour of the Bill to be passed. Deliberations were held on five disputed clauses between the two Houses upon the grant of Royal Kasho which was read out to the House by the Secretary General of the National Assembly. The recommendations on the five clauses were presented…....

Today His Majesty the Druk Gyalpo graced the opening ceremony of the Ninth Session of the Second Parliament. His Majesty was received in an elaborate chipdrel ceremony to the Gyalyong Tshogkhang and the occasion was marked by traditional Zhudrel Phunesum Tshogpai ceremony.

The Members of the Royal Family, representatives of the Central Monastic Body, senior government officials, representatives of the international community and the public attended the occasion.

More than 50 young parliamentarians from Asia-Pacific countries had gathered in Sri Lanka from 25-26 April 2017 to discuss their role in advancing inclusive and peaceful societies and preventing violent extremism in the region. The delegation of young parliamentarians from the National Assembly of Bhutan consisted of Hon’ble Tshewang Jurmi of Chumey-Ura constituency, Hon’ble  Rinzin Dorji of Phuentsholing constituency and Hon’ble Dupthob of Boomdeling-Jamkhar constituency.

The country Director of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Ms. Gem Lao-Arya called on the Hon’ble Speaker on the 14^th of April 2017. The Hon’ble Speaker extended a formal welcome to the country Director and expressed his appreciation for the excellent partnership including technical support offered by the ADB to Bhutan. He also urged the ADB to explore possibilities of supporting the parliament in terms of capacity building and professional…....

The Vice President of German Bundestag, Ms. Claudia Roth visited the National Assembly today. She was leading a four member delegation from the German Bundestag. Meeting with the Hon’ble Dy. Speaker, she expressed her happiness to be in Bhutan and said that the relation between Bhutan and Germany would reach new height in the future.  She also mentioned that Germany adored the stand of Bhutan on environmental conservation which was…....

The new UN Resident Coordinator Mr. Gerald Daly paid a courtesy call on to the Hon’ble Speaker earlier this afternoon.  He said that at a time when western democracy faces the challenge of disconnect between the elite and the people at the grassroots; Bhutan was well on track with good working mechanisms. He further added that given Bhutan’s remarkable progress, it was a privilege for the UNDP to support Bhutan.

A three member delegation led by the Hon’ble Speaker Jigme Zangpo attended meetings of Standing Committee for Creation of Asian Parliament (SCCAP) and APA Standing Committee on Political Affairs in Islamabad, Pakistan from March 13-17, 2017.

The recently installed virtual zomdue facility in Darla Gewog was jointly inaugurated by H.E. Mr. Haoliang Xu, the Assistant Secretary General of the UN and Lyonpo Dawa Gyeltshen, Minister for Home & Cultural Affairs yesterday.