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2006:
His Majesty addresses the Lhengye Zhungtsho
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Lyonpo Sangay Ngedup hands over the reins
of executive authority to Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk
At
a special sitting of the Lhengye Zhungtsho (cabinet) on September 7, 2006
which was attended by His Majesty the King and His Royal Highness the Crown
Prince, Lyonpo Sangay Ngedup handed over the reins of the Bhutanese government
to the new prime minister, Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuck.
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His
Majesty the King, who meets formally with the Lhengye Zhungtsho during
the handing over of the prime ministership every year, addressed and exchanged
views with the cabinet members on important issues facing the country and the tasks to be fulfilled by the government in the year ahead.
Implementation
of the Ninth Plan |
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His
Majesty said that although the cabinet had extended the Ninth Plan by a
year to June 2008, it was better to complete the Ninth Plan programmes
by December 2007. It would not be very feasible to concentrate on completing
development programmes in 2008 when historic events like the establishment
of parliamentary democracy and general elections to elect a new government
would be taking place in the same year.
His
Majesty reminded the Lhengye Zhungtsho that besides the development programmes
funded by international donors, Ninth Plan programmes with a total funding
Nu.5,565.00 million from the Government of India were yet to be started.
It was important to complete these programmes in the Ninth Plan itself
so that the financial assistance committed for them does not spill over
to the 10th Plan. His Majesty advised the government to make every effort
to complete these programmes by the end of 2007 and also hold discussions
with the government of India on the utilisation of the development assistance
provided by them.
10th
Plan |
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Another
important responsibility of the Lhengye Zhungtsho, His Majesty said, was
to draw up the 10th Plan (July 2008 ? June 2013) and mobilise the funds
for its implementation. Although the budget for the 10th Plan had been
projected at Nu.110 billion, the government had neither drawn up the Plan
activities nor started mobilisation of funds.
"If
not late, it is certainly not too early to start mobilising assistance
for the Tenth Plan from our closest neighbour and friend India and other
donor countries," His Majesty said. "If it is left to the newly elected
government in 2008 to seek the funds required for the 10th Plan it will
be extremely difficult for them to start the Plan activities on time and
complete them successfully."
This
would adversely affect the success of parliamentary democracy in Bhutan
as the new government would not be able to implement the development programmes
and fulfill the aspirations of the people, resulting in the electorate
losing faith and support in the very first government under the new political
system. His Majesty, therefore, called upon the Prime Minister and the
Cabinet to give the highest importance towards mobilising funds for the
Tenth Plan.
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Employment |
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His
Majesty emphasised the responsibility of the government to provide employment
to the Bhutanese youth.
Although
the unemployment rate was projected at three percent for 2005, His Majesty
was of the view that the figure may not be accurate because every time
10 to 11 vacancies were announced about 500 to 600 youths would rush to
apply for the jobs.
"If
the nation is to have joyous celebrations in 2008, it is necessary for
the people to be happy and to achieve this it is very important to implement
development programmes successfully and provide employment to every Bhutanese,"
His Majesty said. "Therefore, rather than just trying to reduce the rate
of unemployment the government should declare it as a policy objective
to remove this problem when the nation celebrates the historic events that
will take place in 2008."
Although
Bhutan's population was very small, it already had a student population
of 160,000 and this would increase to more than 200,000 within two to three
years. The pressure on the government to provide employment to the youth
would, therefore, rise every year. The Ministry of Labour and Employment
was in a very difficult situation in view of the present availability of
jobs in the government and the private sector. While thousands of jobs
would be created when major power projects like the Punatsangchu phase
I and II, the Mangdechu Project and the Dungsam Cement project would commence,
the unemployment pressure would continue for the time being.
His
Majesty, therefore, recommended the establishment of a Trust Fund for employment
related problems. In 1989, the government had decided to create a Future
Generation Fund but it had not materialised because of the Ngolop problem
in the 1990s. His Majesty suggested that the government should set aside
US $ 100 million to create a trust fund for youth employment.
His
Majesty reminded the cabinet that it would be useful to create trust funds
because the money invested in such funds would be more secure than money
kept in the country's hard currency reserves. It was always possible for
future governments to use up the hard currency reserves of US $ 513 million,
which had been built up with much difficulty over the years.
The
money in a Trust Fund, on the other hand, would be utilised only for the
purpose for which it was created and, if it was needed for any national
emergency, only the parliament would have the authority to sanction its
utilisation.
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2008
Celebrations |
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His
Majesty reminded the Lhengye Zhungtsho that the celebrations to mark the
three historic events- the coronation of the Fifth Druk Gyalpo, the centenary
of the establishment of the monarchy and the establishment of parliamentary
democracy in Bhutan-will be held together in 2008.
"There
will be no happier time for Bhutan than when we hold the celebrations in
2008," His Majesty said. "However, the celebrations should be conducted
properly in keeping with our traditions without incurring unnecessary expenditure
at the cost of development activities." His Majesty emphasised that the
celebrations should not become a source of criticism for the government
but, instead, must be conducted in a manner and at a level that will be
appreciated by the people of Bhutan and by outside observers.
Infrastructure |
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His
Majesty said that there were many construction works planned to be completed
before 2008 and advised the Lhengye Zhungtsho to prioritise these works
carefully so that time and money will not be wasted unnecessarily.
His
Majesty recommended that the reconstruction of the government offices near
the Trashichhodzong should be kept on hold for now as the constructions
would not be completed in time for the celebrations in 2008. The offices
could be renovated and used until the new constructions were carried out
when funds became available. The plan for the construction of a new secretariat
building behind the dzong should also be taken up later by the new government
when funds were available.
The
plan to construct a new National Council building should also be kept on
hold, as it will not be completed in time for the establishment of parliamentary
democracy, His Majesty said. The Royal Banquet Hall, which had two conference
halls, could be renovated as already planned and used by the 25-member
National Council.
His
Majesty also advised the Lhengye Zhungtsho against the construction of
a housing complex in Taba for the members of parliament. Such accommodations
would have to be built like hotels and would not be very practical for
the government. It would be more beneficial and cost effective to provide
the members with good daily living allowances. Those members who had relatives
in Thimphu could benefit by staying with them while others could use the
enhanced allowances to stay in hotels which in turn would benefit the hotel
industry.
Regarding
the plan to build a facility outside the Trashichhodzong to hold the annual
Thimphu Tshechu, His Majesty agreed that it was necessary for a larger
place outside the dzong to accommodate the increasing number of spectators
every year. It was not a good sight to see the Bhutanese people watching
the Tshechu from rooftops, attics and other inconvenient places while tourists
were accommodated in the main courtyard. The Lhengye Zhungtsho should,
therefore, take an appropriate decision on this matter.
One
important construction that must be completed by 2008 is the Supreme Court,
His Majesty said. The Supreme Court had a very important role to play under
the Constitution and, as the Government of India had already agreed to
fund the construction, it must be started and completed in time for the
establishment of the new political system in Bhutan.
His
Majesty reminded the cabinet members that it was also important to complete
the construction of the residential houses for the prime minister, ministers
and constitutional post holders by 2008 as it would not be proper for these
office holders to live in private houses in town.
It
would also be more cost effective and convenient to provide security for
these office holders if their residential quarters were located in one
area. Furthermore, these houses could also be used as guesthouses during
the 2008 celebrations before being handed over to their new residents.
His
Majesty reminded the cabinet members that the Kuengacholing and Lhuendupling
state guesthouses had become old and could no longer be used to accommodate
state guests. The Lhengye Zhungtsho should decide whether a proper state
guesthouse should be built at the same site or in another location. As
suggested by His Majesty some time earlier, the cabinet members should
also decide whether the site should be used for the residence of the prime
minister.
Another
infrastructure that needs improvement is the Changlimithang stadium which
had not seen much renovation since the Coronation in 1974, His Majesty
said. As many of the celebrations in 2008 will be held in the Changlimithang
grounds, necessary improvements and preparations must be carried out.
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Responsibilities
of the new King |
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His
Majesty informed the Lhengye Zhungtsho that he would be stepping aside
soon and delegating his responsibilities to His Royal Highness the Crown
Prince. His Majesty explained that it was very important for the Crown
Prince to gain experience in discharging the full responsibilities of the
King. At present, he was not gaining any real experience as the responsibilities
were being carried out by His Majesty himself. The cabinet members should
not be dismayed with the decision as they were already aware of it and
these steps were being taken in the interest of the nation.
His
Majesty said the responsibility of introducing a new system of government
and parliamentary democracy in Bhutan did not lie with the Lhengye Zhungtsho.
It was the new King who must usher in the new system and ensure the success
of parliamentary democracy in Bhutan in keeping with the provisions enshrined
in the Constitution.
"This
is a sacred responsibility to the nation that you must shoulder with utmost
loyalty and dedication," His Majesty said to the Crown Prince. "We repose
our full faith and trust in you to serve the people and country better
than myself and all the Kings who have come before you."
His
Majesty commended Lyonpo Sangay Ngedup for his successful tenure as the
eighth prime minister since the devolution of full executive powers to
an elected Cabinet in 1998 and extended his appreciation and Tashi Delek
to him for serving the country and people with loyalty and dedication.
His
Majesty also extended his Tashi Delek to the new prime minister, Lyonpo
Khandu Wangchuk and reminded him that there were many important tasks to
be carried out by him and the government during his tenure, including the
preparations for the historic events in 2008.
Appreciation
by outgoing Prime Minister |
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The
outgoing prime minister, Lyonpo Sangay Ngedup, expressed his appreciation
and gratitude to His Majesty the King on behalf of the Lhengye Zungtsho
for further strengthening the close relationship and cooperation between
Bhutan and India, for the signing of the Bhutan-India trade agreement and
finalising the Tala export tariff rate during His Majesty's recent working
visit to India.
The
outgoing prime minister also expressed his appreciation to His Majesty
the King and the Crown Prince for tirelessly and successfully conducting
the public consultation meetings on the draft Constitution in all the 20
dzongkhags.
"I
have been able to fulfill my duties because of His Majesty's benevolent
guidance and unfailing support and also because of the hard work and cooperation
from the members of the cabinet and my colleagues," said Lyonpo Sangay
Ngedup. "I have been fortunate to have served as the head of the government
on two occasions in a single lifetime which has given the opportunity to
serve my King, people and the country. The opportunity to serve the King
and country has brought a profound meaning to my life and I pray that even
in my next life I could be born to serve my King again."
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Pledge
by the new Prime Minister |
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Pledging
his service to King, country and the people, the new prime minister, Lyonpo
Khandu Wangchuk, said that the main responsibility of the government during
his tenure would be enhancing and strengthening the sovereignty and security
of the country and the well-being of the people. He said the government
would work hard towards bringing about equitable socio-economic development,
provide fair and timely service to the people, properly utilise public
resources, and enact and implement laws for fair and equal treatment.
"People
should ensure that we have a strong, capable and honest government that
is deeply committed to carry out its responsibilities," said Lyonpo Khandu
Wangchuk. "We must bear in mind that if we go wrong, all that His Majesty
has built with selfless and dedicated work could be ruined in a short time."
The
prime minister said that the year ahead was full of important tasks like
preparing for the Coronation of the Fifth Druk Gyalpo, the Centenary celebrations
and the establishment of parliamentary democracy in 2008. He added that
the government would also work towards successfully completing the 9th
Plan and finalising the 10th Plan development programmes besides developing
the private sector to generate employment. "I am deeply honoured to have
the privilege of serving His Majesty and the people for the second time,"
he said. "In serving the country and the people, I seek the guidance of
His Majesty and the support of the people, the national assembly, the judiciary,
and the cabinet colleagues and the civil servants."
Lyonpo
Khandu Wangchuk, on behalf of the cabinet, pledged to serve the Crown Prince
with unfailing loyalty and dedication when the Crown Prince takes over
the responsibilities of His Majesty the King.
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Contributed
by KUENSEL Bhutan's National Newspaper, September 2006 |
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