Nu 30,000 for MPs, Nu 85,000 for seniors

Thimphu, April 07: Bhutan has finalised the draft of the Parliamentary Entitlements Act and made it public on Friday for commentary.

According to the newly drafted act, the people's representatives in the to be formed National Assembly and National Council will draw the monthly remuneration of Nu 30,000 along with 30 percent of their house rent for the period they serve as MPs.
 
National Committee on parliamentary entitlements will include chairpersons of the Pay Commission, Royal Civil Service Commission, and one member each from the National Assembly and National Council, Opposition Party and the Ministry of Finance.

Speaker of the National Assembly, the chairperson of the National Council and the Leader of the Opposition Party will get the monthly salary of Nu 85,000, which or equivalent to the salary currently serving ministers are drawing.

Other facilities include a telephone at home, medical expenses and free stationery and postal services.

The MPs will also get Nu 1,000 as travel allowance during their travel and Nu 800 as allowance per diem during the house session.

The MPs will get blue babney without frills. Interestingly, the MPs will not be allowed to carry patang, which traditionally is carried by all northern Bhutanese. However, five members of the National Council appointed by the King will continue to wear the kabney they received before being appointed to the post of MP. Bhutan News Service