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Special sitting of the lhengye zhungtsho
August 2004
Former Prime Minister's view
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His Majesty shared his view with the members of the lhengye zhungtsho

August 18, 2004

HM King Jigme Singye Wangchuck
At a special sitting of the lhengye zhungtsho on August 18, attended by His Majesty the King, the reins of executive authority was handed over by Lyonpo Jigmi Y. Thinley, to the new prime minister of Bhutan, Lyonpo Yeshey Zimba.
His Majesty the King expressed his satisfaction with the performance of the government six years after the devolution of executive authority.

His Majesty also expressed his appreciation to the outgoing prime minister, Lyonpo Jigmi Thinley, and the council of ministers, to the Kalyon and royal advisory councillors for fulfilling their responsibility with loyalty and dedication over the past year when Bhutan had faced a serious threat to its national security.

His Majesty pointed out that, as the country now moved into the year ahead, the government had serious responsibilities to fulfill which were important to the people and the nation. In this context His Majesty shared his views with the members of the lhengye zhungtsho. His Majesty reminded the members of the lhengye zhungtsho that the salary of the civil servants, last revised about five years ago, was an important issue that needed to be considered, keeping in mind the rising cost of living. His Majesty advised that the council of ministers should carefully study all the implications of a salary revision and come to a final decision.

Bhutan's fiscal health was also an important issue for the government. His Majesty said that the government was rightly concerned about the rising national debt. The total debt exceeded Nu. 24 billion with the hard currency loans at US$ 208 million and, even more important, the Rupee loan had now reached Rs.14 billion. His Majesty added that Bhutan had always enjoyed excellent relations with the government of India and deeply appreciated the generous support that India had provided since the first Development Plan. But, to maintain a healthy fiscal policy, it was important to ensure that the government and people were not burdened by debt and that a healthy debt-servicing ratio was maintained.

As all the lhengye zhungtsho members were fully aware, the employment of Bhutanese youth was an important issue, His Majesty said. According to the ministry of labour and human resources a total of 9,107 graduates and drop-outs from various institutions had come looking for jobs in the past year. Out of this 7,329 had been given jobs or study opportunities and 1,778 had not registered at all with the ministry. His Majesty said that it was possible for Bhutan, with a small population, to provide jobs for every individual if the government and the private sector worked together. "With the rapid pace of development in the country, if our youth are unemployed, it will be an indication that we are not following right economic policies," His Majesty said.

His Majesty also advised the members of the lhengye zhungtsho that it was time to establish the Dungsam Cement Factory. His Majesty reminded the members that, during his visit in 1985, the Indian Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi, had committed the establishment of the Dungsam Cement Project when he addressed the National Assembly. But the project had been delayed because there was no power supply to Dungsam. In 1996, during His Majesty's state visit to India, Bhutan had formally signed an agreement on the Dungsam Cement Project with the government of Prime Minister Narasimha Rao. But the project had been delayed again because of the presence of ULFA and NDFB militant camps in the area.

Now, with Kurichu power supplied to Nganglam, the 37 kilometre road from the highway in Assam to Nganglam to be repaired by Dantak, and the militant threat removed, it was important that the project was started. With major new power projects in the pipeline large quantities of cement would be required, there would be many opportunities created for the private sector, and the project would also provide employment and enhance the national revenue.

His Majesty said that, as the ministry of trade and industry had reported to the National Assembly, private sector development was a government priority and five sites were to be developed as industrial sites in Pasakha, Jigmeling, Samdrup Jongkhar, Bongdima, and Tingtibi. His Majesty expressed his view that Pasakha, Jigmeling and Samtse were more feasible because of the wide space and infrastructure already available.

His Majesty also reminded the lhengye zhungtsho members that the government had made the commitment to purchase two new Airbus jets for the national airline, Drukair. While the aircraft were needed for Drukair His Majesty said that the lhengye zhungtsho must carefully consider the financial implications of the purchase of the two aircrafts.

On the Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan, His Majesty said that the fourth draft had been completed. The Constitution had been delayed in the past because of the militant problem and the final draft would be sent to the lhengye zhungtsho by the end of the year. After discussions in the lhengye zhungtsho the draft would be distributed and discussed with the public of the 20 dzongkhags.

His Majesty also informed the lhengye zhungtsho members that, in October this year, the Crown Prince Dasho Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck, would be installed as the Trongsa Penlop. His Majesty said that the Dhar would be conferred in Tashichhodzong and, in keeping with tradition, the tendryil would be performed in the Trongsa Dzong.

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The former Prime Minister's view

August 18, 2004

The new Prime Minister, Lyonpo Yeshey Zimba
The outgoing Prime Minister, Lyonpo Jigmi Thinley, said that the tendryil ceremony for the change of prime minister was a precious opportunity for the members of the lhengye zhungtsho to receive the guidance of His Majesty the King. Lyonpo Jigmi Thinley said that it was through His Majesty the King's wisdom that the council of ministers had been established as the executive authority, making its decisions by consensus.

Lyonpo Jigmi Thinley said that the most important responsibility of the Cabinet was to live up to the expectations of His Majesty the King and to try to fulfill His Majesty's aspirations for the nation. He pointed out that the prime minister was responsible and accountable for governance. But, since the office of prime minister had no specific powers, the capacity of the lhengye zhungtsho was determined by the degree of unity and cooperation among the ministers. The lhengye zhungtsho had, in the past, worked in close harmony, drawing on their collective wisdom on all decisions. This would be even more important in the future because, if the ministers were divided, the office of prime minister would be undermined and the system would not work.The advantage for Bhutan, said Lyonpo Jigmi Thinley, was that His Majesty the King was always there to provide guidance and support. The Druk Gyalpo was the uniting factor of the Bhutanese system, providing the small vulnerable nation the strength to survive and grow.

The new Prime Minister, Lyonpo Yeshey Zimba, said that Bhutan had just emerged from a deeply troubling period when His Majesty the King, with no regard to his personal safety, had led the nation into a new era of security and paved the way for a new period of development. His Majesty the King, in his wisdom, had also outlined clear guidelines for the government, setting goals that had to be achieved for the well being of the Bhutanese people. Lyonpo Yeshey Zimba said that the government would face a critical period in the next few years. His Majesty the King had devolved political authority to the people and the system of governance would face many challenges before the people were ready to take on such a grave responsibility. He said that, while the elected ministers had the confidence of His Majesty the King, there was reason for concern as the Bhutanese system went through significant change. The recent session of the National Assembly had shown that while the people were ready to differ with the government potential political differences were also visible. It was important that, given these changes already taking place, everyone gained the political maturity to serve the interests of the nation and the people.

Ensuring the success of the devolution of power by His Majesty represented a very serious responsibility, said the Prime Minister. But, as in the past, the lhengye zhungtsho would be guided by the clear vision of His Majesty the King. If the ministers worked closely as a team the government would go a long way in fulfilling the aspirations of His Majesty and the Bhutanese people. Lyonpo Yeshey Zimba pledged to serve His Majesty the King, the nation, and the people of Bhutan with complete loyalty and dedication..

This article was contributed by Kuensel, Bhutan's National Newspaper, 2004
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