The First Question Hour for the Second Session of the Fourth Parliament was held today. A total of Four Questions for Oral Responses were tabled for the Minsters in Group A Ministries. Two questions were directed to the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Employment (MoICE) and two to the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport (MoIT). There was no question to the Minister for Energy and Natural Resources (MoENR). The issues raised included social media regulation, unemployment issues, classification of satellite towns and rural farm road improvements.

The Member from Khengkhar-Weringla Constituency raised concerns about the regulation of social media, citing mental health risks, misinformation, and cyberbullying, particularly among youth. The MoICE Minister responded that the Ministry is working with BICMA to strengthen regulations and collaborate with RBP, CSOs, and other agencies to raise public awareness. The Minister emphasized the role of individual responsibility in using social media responsibly.

The Member from Khamdang-Ramjar highlighted youth unemployment rate, currently at 16.5%, and the attrition of civil servants. The MoIT Minister responded that unemployment has been reduced to 3.1% in recent years and that measures are being taken to address the problem through employment centers and national integration programs. The Ministry also plans to support contract employees and address the mismatch between skills and job and to assist needy families by offering one time low-interest education loan per family. 

Concerns about the classification of satellite towns were raised by the Member from Drametse Ngatshang constituency, who called for either restoring amenities in these towns or adjusting the tax system. The MoIT Minister assured that the government is committed to supporting satellite towns despite resource constraints, with plans to allocate a budget of one billion for remote towns. 

The final question from the Member from Sergithang-Tsirangtoed Constituency was on the progress made in improving rural farm roads, specifically the completion of base courses and blacktopping of main roads leading to larger Chiwogs. In response, the MoIT Minister stated that the government plans to prioritize blacktopping these roads and will explore alternative funding sources in case of insufficient budget from the SDP and assured that the Ministry will work closely with engineering agencies to ensure successful implementation.