A total of 10 Questions were tabled in the Question Hour Session today for the Ministers in Group B - eight questions for oral responses and two for written responses. Three questions were directed to the Minister of Education and Skills Development (MoESD),  three to the Minister of Agriculture and Livestock (MoAL) and two questions to the Minister of Health (MoH). The two written questions were asked to the Minister for MoAL. 

The Minister for MoESD was asked on the possibility of inclusion of a skilling program in Gasa Primary School and construction of a new Multi-Purpose Hall (MPH) in the forthcoming 13^th Five-Year Plan, the issues and challenges of acting principals in schools with less than 100 students, and what are the plans of the government to make use of infrastructure of numerous schools closed in the recent years. 

In response the Minister for Education and Skills Development stated that a plan to construct a new MPH along with several other infrastructure is included in the upcoming 13th FYP. It was also noted that a consultation with engineering experts was carried out and a comprehensive infrastructure plan was being prepared. The Minister also said that the ministry is exploring alternate options to appoint non-teaching staff as principals which is put forth clearly in the 13th FYP. The government plans to utilize the facilities and infrastructure of the schools that have been closed down for development of skills based training institutions, Non-Formal Education or as Early Childhood Care and Development facilities. 

The Minister for MoAL was questioned on measures taken to enhance opportunities for farmers in carrying out both internal and external trade, actions being taken by the government to tackle the challenge posed by increased rental cost of power tillers  leading to fallow lands, status of chain link fencing initiative aimed to mitigate human-wildlife conflict, enhance rural livelihood and bolstering national food security. The written Questions submitted to the Minister were on the extent of farm road construction carried out between 2008-2013, 2013-2018 and 2018-2023 and the number of power tillers distributed in the past years from 2008-2013, 2013-2018, 2018-2023.  

The Minister for MoAL, Lyonpo Yeshey Penjore said that selected cropping projects, value-chain processes to improve quality of products and cold storage facilities are being provided to enhance opportunities to carry out internal and external trade. Additionally, exhibition activities in Rome; Italy, Bangladesh, Singapore and Paro are being planned to boost external trade. For 16 Dzongkhags, the chain link fencing initiative was successfully completed and several other dzongkhags are nearing completion except for  Haa Dzongkhag which has delayed submission of the site. 

Questions concerning the need for expansion of the Trashigang Dzongkhag Hospital and status of  upgradation of Yurung BHU II to BHU I were asked to the Minister of Health. 

Lyonpo Dechen Wangmo of MoH expressed that the Ministry prioritized providing the services to the people through cluster strategies before expanding the facilities. In the upcoming 13th FYP, a budget of Nu.350 million is designated for the expansion of Trashigang Dzongkhag Hospital. The Minister also shared that the approval for the upgradation of Yurung BHU II to BHU I was recently granted but owing to the time constraints, the plan has been included in the 13th FYP. 

A total of four supplementary and follow-up questions were asked to the Minister for MoAL and MoESD.