OL writes to government on unconstitutional CDG

Thimphu, May 20, 2009: President of People’s Democratic Party, who is also the opposition leader in National Assembly, Tshering Tobgay filed a complaint at the Ministry of Finance opposing the government decision on constituency development grant (CDG). 

Tobgay in his complaint said the CDG is unconstitutional and thus decided to take up the issue with the government.

He claimed the grant would increase monetary and political corruption and could be used for election campaigns in the next general elections. 

Approved in April by the council of ministers, the Finance Ministry is busy preparing mechanisms for the funds to start reaching the hands of lawmakers.

The decision was taken against the decision of the National Council in January, saying the distribution of money was faulty and unconstitutional. The issue has been forwarded to King.

Tobgay said development activities could be derailed when government gives priority to distributing money to MPs rather than the local bodies.

However, the government moved ahead with the CDG saying National Assembly has approved it. The ruling party DPT has 45 seats in the assembly out of 47.