His Majesty the King promoted Colonel Kipchu Dorji

His Majesty the King promoted Colonel Kipchu Dorji from the rank of Colonel to Brigadier this morning at Tashichhodzong. His Majesty the King awarded Tashi Khaddar to the Brigadier in the sacred chamber of the golden throne room. Following the ceremony, Brigadier Kipchu Dorji made an offering at the goenkhang of the Tashichhodzong.

Brigadier Kipchu Dorji is from Haa Toe village in Haa. He was born in 1955. He was commissioned from Indian Military Academy in December 1974.

Brigadier Kipchu Dorji joined the Royal Body Guard in 1976. This is his 38th year in his service at the armed force.

Source: BBS

His Majesty issues Kasho on Local Goverment Elections

During the audience granted to those who had appealed against their disqualification, His Majesty the King said that their appeal and the submissions made by the Prime Minister on behalf of the National Assembly, National Council and the two political parties, was with regard to the failure of the respective political parties to abide by the laws on procedures for de-registration in particular and on the interpretation of the laws on de-registration in general. Thus, the appeal would merit full consideration from the relevant agencies, if the individuals had themselves acted in accordance with the laws.

His Majesty said that the Election Commission of Bhutan was simply abiding by the Constitutional requirement that Local Governments must be apolitical. His Majesty said, “I have always encouraged political participation and the growth of political parties. Having heeded my request to all citizens to participate in the political process in the past, you may now, as prospective candidates for Local Government offices, be surprised that your participation in political parties have hindered your chances to run for office in Local Government. The Constitution requires apolitical Local Governments for very important reasons. Local Government responsibilities are very different from those of political parties or any other institution. Local Governments are the foundation for grassroots democracy. They must have intimate knowledge of the daily lives of the people in their constituencies; work in constant and close interaction with their people and nurture cooperation, consensus and close-knit communities. In a largely rural country Local Governments are even more important not just in carrying out vital duties towards achieving development objectives of their people, but also in bringing about a harmonious society.”

His Majesty said, “As individuals, having a preference for a political party is not bad. The majority of people will always hold certain preferences. However, in carrying out one’s duties as part of an apolitical institution, we must keep our political affiliations aside. It is as simple as carrying out one’s official duties without being biased by preference for family and friends at the cost of the larger community.”

His Majesty said that he always encouraged institutions to resolve issues on their own, through consultation. He said, “Once the Throne is involved, the Throne will protect the Constitution and the laws in place – it has no other path before it.”

His Majesty said that, “the sacred Constitutional duty of the King is to protect and uphold this Constitution in the best interest and for the welfare of the people of Bhutan. As I do so, I shall seek if necessary, the Supreme Court’s opinion, for the Supreme Court is the guardian of this Constitution and the final authority of its interpretation.”

Source: BBS

Bhutan His Majesty King arrives in Bangladesh

His Majesty is welcomed to Dhaka, Bangladesh, with a Guard of Honour yesterday. His Majesty is on a four-day state visit.

His Majesty the King George Tupou V

His Majesty the King George Tupou V of the Kingdom of Tonga arrived in the country on a five-day official visit today.

On arrival at the Paro airport He was received by Her Royal Highness the Princess Ashi Sonam Dechan Wangchuck, Cabinet Ministers, speaker of the National Assembly, the National Council Chairperson, the Opposition Leader and other senior government officials.

This is his third visit to Bhutan. He visited Bhutan in 2002 and 2007. His Majesty King George Tupou V ascended the throne on September 10, 2006 following the demise of his father His Majesty King Tupou IV at the age of 88 years.

Later, at the Taj Tashi Hotel He was received by His Royal Highness the Prince Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck.

Tonga is a Kingdom, roughly the size of Japan, in the Pacific Ocean.

Source: BBS

His Majesty the King George Tupou V of the Kingdom of Tonga arrived in the country on a five-day official visit today.

On arrival at the Paro airport He was received by Her Royal Highness the Princess Ashi Sonam Dechan Wangchuck, Cabinet Ministers, speaker of the National Assembly, the National Council Chairperson, the Opposition Leader and other senior government officials.

This is his third visit to Bhutan. He visited Bhutan in 2002 and 2007. His Majesty King George Tupou V ascended the throne on September 10, 2006 following the demise of his father His Majesty King Tupou IV at the age of 88 years.

Later, at the Taj Tashi Hotel He was received by His Royal Highness the Prince Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck.

Tonga is a Kingdom, roughly the size of Japan, in the Pacific Ocean.

Source: BBS

His Majesty the King granted an audience to the gups of Nation (Bhutan)

His Majesty the King granted an audience to the gups at the Lingkana Palace today

His Majesty the King granted kidu to 681 earthquakeaffected households

Assuring every necessary support to victims of natural disasters, His Majesty the King granted kidu to 681 earthquakeaffected households yesterday morning in Tongshang gewog, Trashiyangtse.

This also includes three households in Tongshang whose homes were gutted by fire.

Speaking to the victims, His Majesty said that Bhutan is different from the rest of the world, because the people and the government share a strong bond of unity and brotherhood. “Thus, we share our joys as well as our sorrows. In this way we’re very lucky, we are a very lucky society,” said His Majesty.

His Majesty said that the eople in the villages are very hardworking and deserving of kidu. The kidu money would be well used to rebuild newer homes and livelihood.

“You (the villagers) are a major portion of our population. Moreover, you are the foundation of our country. It is therefore, very important for you to invest the money (kidu) to build better homes to last for many generations,” His Majesty said.

Upon His Majesty’s command, 13 heavy-duty vehicles were procured to help the rebuilding process. Over 500 army personnel have been deployed in Durung and Wamrong to help the victims rebuild their homes. A special unit of engineers and architects would oversee the project.

Local authorities said that the villagers heavily depend on the kidu money and the insurance compensation to rebuild their homes.

Jamkhar gup, Jigme Norbu said, “Most villagers cannot rebuild their homes without soelra and all the special help provided by His Majesty.” The September 21 earthquake and the aftershocks damaged 140 houses in the gewog alone. Ten homes totally collapsed.

Changlu’s family still sleeps in the shed beside his damaged home. “We need to rebuild our home at the earliest because the children are suffering. Now that His Majesty has granted us both land and money we need nothing more,” he said.

His Majesty granted land kidu of 832 acres to 945 thram holders in Tongshang gewog exempting them of Nu 17.93 million in compensation towards the government.

Later in the evening, in Trashigang, His Majesty met and granted soelra to the villagers of Merak and Sakteng.

Earlier on Nov 28, His Majesty joined the people of Trashigang at the last day of the Trashigang tshechu. The joy of attending the tshechu was simply beyond words for thousands of people who gathered in Trashigang for the annual tshechu. His Majesty also offered prayers at the Sacred Guru Tshengyed kunchham.

“This is a historic moment for us,” said a civil servant.

“As far as I can remember not even senior officials attended our tshechu. With His Majesty attending the tshechu is a great memory,” said Sonam Dorji from Samkhar.

Later in the day, His Majesty granted kidu to 1,114 villagers from nine gewogs under Trashigang dzongkhag.

Of the total number of households that received kidu, 21 houses were damaged by windstorm in October and two houses destroyed by fire, one each in Bidung and Samkhar. His Majesty also granted tokha to the people.

Wangmo from Shongphu, whose house collapsed, now sees a glimpse of hope to rebuild her home. “I think my family can afford to rebuild our home with the ready assistance provided to us. With His Majesty personally overseeing things it’s assured we’ll live in a proper house,” she said.

His Majesty leaves for Udzorong and Wamrong today.

Source: Kuenselonline

Bhutan's His Majesty's Kasho

His Majesty the King has issued a Kasho to the Speaker of the National Assembly and the Chairperson of the National Council to convene an Extraordinary Sitting of Parliament.

His Majesty's Kasho

“The Speaker has sought an Extraordinary Sitting for the deliberation of the Civil Service Bill 2009 and the Local Government (Amendment) Bill. These Bills could not be passed during Joint Sitting of the 3rd Session of Parliament.

The Constitution has a clear process for Passing of Bills under Article 13 and under Article 34.2(a). It would therefore not be correct or desirable to view Extraordinary Sittings as a normal extension of the process for Passing of Bills. It would distort the Constitutional process.

A Joint sitting on a Bill, as stipulated in the Constitution, serves to bring together different views, different political parties and the Houses of Parliament when there are disputes on a Bill. Under such a setting, keeping national interest above all else, it is assumed that as much consensus as possible will be formed on a Bill allowing for it to have the best chance to be passed during the final vote. If a Bill cannot be passed in a Joint Sitting, it signifies that there are serious differences that must be addressed through means other than another Joint Sitting.

Therefore, while the Speaker and the Chairman shall convene an Extraordinary Sitting of one day, it must be reiterated that it cannot be construed as a second Joint Sitting on the two Disputed Bills.

First, it is far more important to look beyond the two Bills in order to ascertain the causes of such deadlock and how in the future they might be prevented or minimized. This Parliament has the responsibility of setting the right precedents, laying a strong foundation and promoting the best practices of democracy, in the interest of our People and Country.

Second, the failure to pass the Local Government (Amendment) Act has not only delayed greatly the election of local government officials, but has seriously hampered the efficient implementation of the 10th plan. Therefore, given that disputes on the Bill are only a few specific clauses, the Joint Committee of the two Houses should seek to find a consensus position on the disputed clauses acceptable to their respective Houses, to enable the Extraordinary Sitting to vote on the Bill in such consensus form.

Third, the disagreements on the Civil Service Bill are not on individual clauses but on principle, and are not confined within Parliament. Therefore, its urgent passage during this Extraordinary Sitting will not guarantee that its implementation will be smooth, effective and above all beneficial to our People and Country. The Bill will benefit from further consultations among stakeholders. The draft based on these consultations may then be tabled in future through Parliamentary process, as mandated by the Constitution and relevant laws in force.

In elaboration upon all these issues, I send attached to this Kasho, a Message to both Houses of Parliament as per the Prerogatives provided for in the Constitution.”


Source: BBS

News: His Majesty the King granted audience to the India's Chief of Army Staff

His Majesty with Chief of India’s Army Staff

His Majesty the King granted audience to the India's Chief of Army Staff, General Deepak Kapoor today.

General Deepak Kapoor was escorted in traditional chipdrel ceremony to the Tashichhodzong. In the courtyard of the Tashichhodzong, he was presented a guard of honour by the Royal Body Guards and the Royal Bhutan Army.

General Kapoor was then ushered into the throne room where he received the audience with His Majesty the King.

General Deepak Kapoor was commissioned into the regiment of artillery in June 1967 and has held important Staff and Command positions. He is a recipient of the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Sena Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal. He took over as the Chief of the Army Staff on September 30, 2007.

Following the audience, General Kapoor called on the Chief of Operations of the Royal Bhutan Army, Major General Batoo Tshering. He also called on the Foreign Minister, Lyonpo Ugyen Tshering.

His Majesty the King also hosted a luncheon for General Deepak Kapoor at the Dechenchholing palace.
Source: BBS

News: His Majesty the King graced the opening ceremony of 3rd session of the parliament

His Majesty the King graced the opening ceremony of 3rd session of the parliament

The 3rd session of the parliament began amidst traditional ceremony today. His Majesty the King graced the opening ceremony. His Majesty the King was escorted by the Prime Minister, the National Assembly Speaker, the Opposition Leader, the National Council chairperson, and cabinet ministers.

At the courtyard of the Gyalyong Tshokhang, His Majesty was received by members of the parliament and then ushered into the Gyalyong Tshokhang.

In the opening remarks, the National Assembly Speaker Jigme Tshultim expressed gratitude to His Majesty the King for touring remote villages in Lhuentse and Monggar and solving the pressing land related issues.

Tshogpoen Jigme Tshultim also congratulated the United Progressive Alliance government in India for its success in the national elections this year. The Speaker also commended the recent visit of India’s new External Affairs Minister to the country.

He also congratulated the new constitutional appointees to the Royal Civil Service Commission. Tshogpen Jigme Tshultim also expressed condolence to people who lost family members in the flood last month. On other issues, he said the unemployment problem in the country is expected to be solved by the upcoming hydro power projects such as the Punatshangchhu hydro power project.

Following this, the Prime Minister, the Opposition Leader, the National Council Chairperson and parliament members presented their appreciation to His Majesty the King.

During the recess, His Majesty also met with the parliamentarians and interacted with international diplomats and guests who attended the opening.

The 3rd session of the parliament is expected to discuss about 12 bills including the Local Government Bill, the Civil Service Bill and the Police Bill.

Source: BBS