NC plans stronger question-answer session with ministers

Thimphu, June 08, 2009: The upper house National Council, which was ignored by the government in the past, has begun working on giving a tough time for ministers in the upcoming parliament session. 

Despite repeated calls form the House, the ministers either absented or sent only written responses to its questions in previous sessions. There are no clear mandates how ministers should answer the questions raised in the parliament. In the winter session, the Council had wanted to invite about five ministers for the question-answer session, but none of them turned up.

The NC plans to set day and time for such session in advance. It also mulls for on-spot questions, unlike the past custom of sending questionnaire to ministers in advance.

Guidelines for this is being drafted and distributed among the NC members. Once prepared, it will be sent to cabinet and national assembly for discussion.