Dorje resigns as Speaker

Thimpphu, November 10: Speaker of the National Assembly Ugen Dorje, 63, submitted his resignation to King Khesar on Thursday after serving at the National Assembly for nine years.

He was the nominee of the Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industries for the NA, nominated in 1998. He served as 11th Speaker of the National Assembly in 2000. 

His tenure at the NA filled with debates of national security with heightening presence of the BODO and ULFA militants and subsequent counter attack by the Royal Bhutan Army with assistance from Indian military force.

Dorje, president of BCCI as well, also carries purse of credit for many reforms that NA drawn up such as separation of the Judiciary, Executive and Legislative, at least for formality, drafting of the national constitution, the autonomy given to the Royal Civil Service Commission and enactment of over 38 Acts.

The NA, formed in 1953 by third king Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, was dissolved in July. Bhutan News Service