Motion on the need for Priority Development Fund (PDF)
A Member of the House Committee, Member from Lingmukha-Toedwang constituency, moved the motion on the need for Priority Development Fund in the House today.
The Member informed the House that the PDF is a budget allocation to the constituencies to finance ad-hoc projects initiated by the people at the grassroot level for development. He said that in the past a sum of Nu.2.000 million was allocated as Constituency Development Grant (CDG) for each constituency every year. This was replaced with the Gewog Development Grant (GDG) during the term of the second government and the funds were allocated to the Gewogs. He submitted that the local governments have raised an issue of inadequacy of funds to implement developmental activities especially in the remote areas and submitted that the CDG be resumed as Priority Development Grant (PDG). He said that this would supplement the resources, narrow the resource gap, ensure equitable development within the gewog ultimately contributing to the development of the entire nation.
The House, after lengthy debates, adopted the motion on the recommendation on the need for a Priority Development Fund with a total of 33 Yes, 12 Abstain, out of 45 Members present and voting.