Re-deliberation on the Pay Structure Reform Bill of Bhutan 2022
The National Assembly of Bhutan re-deliberated on the Pay Structure Reform Bill of Bhutan 2022 today with the Member in-Charge of the Bill, the Hon’ble Minister for Finance moving motion for re-deliberation.
The Chairperson of the Economic and Finance Committee, Hon’ble Kinga Penjor submitted that there were 12 recommendations on the Bill from the National Council including two new sections.
The House engaged in a lengthy deliberation on the National Council’s recommendation to reinstate the Communication Allowance as per the original clause. The Chairperson of the Economic and Finance Committee Committee submitted that the Committee could not agree on it because it was incurring a huge financial burden on the Government. While ascertaining the support of the House through a majority show of hands, the recommendation could not get the majority support.
Regarding the section on Designated Duty Vehicle, the National Council recommended that the designated duty vehicle shall be maintained at the existing level to position level EX3 and above until reviewed and rationalized by the Government. Additionally, a new section from the National Council recommended that each Member of Parliament be provided a designated duty vehicle, OR a one-time lumpsum grant for the purchase of a vehicle along with the Driver, and Fuel and Maintenance Allowances. Both sections got the support of the House through show of hands.
The House incorporated 10 of the 12 recommendations submitted by the National Council except for Sections 16 and 48 regarding Communication Allowance and Radiation Allowance respectively.
The House endorsed the decision on the Bill with 42 members present and all in favor of the bill.
