National Assembly begins its last session

Thimphu, June 07: The 87th National Assembly session, probably the last one of this body since its inception, formally began in Thimphu on Wednesday.

The Assembly will discuss some of the important issues including if monarchy should be activated on failure of the parliamentary democracy to uphold the national sovereignty.

Religious Society Organization Bill, Civil Service Bill, Local Government Bill and the Civil Society Organization Bill are among the legal instruments that assembly is expected to discuss and pass.

The report by chairman of the Anti-Corruption Commission will also be discussed.

The assembly is likely to review the qualification criteria to contest the parliamentary elections next year. Last year the issue had drawn hot debates. Thimphu residents also have asked that parliament contestants should not only have graduation degree but also 10 years of experience in political field.

New citizenship card issuance, rural-urban drift, amendment of Road Act, setting up of private logging companies, the Revised Land Act, geog boundaries, awarding of contracts for sand and stone and recruitment and training of soldiers are issues scheduled for discussion. Bhutan News Service