National Council session begins (Politics)

Thimpu, June 18: The National Council (NC), session has begun in the capital with King Jigme Khesar gracing the first sitting on Tuesday.

King was escorted to the first sitting in a traditional chipdrel procession were chairman, the vice chairman and the members offered kusung thukten mendrel to him.
 
Chairman Namgay Penjore, on his opening remarks appreciated the role of monarchy in transformation of the country and pledge on part of the members to serve the country with unwavering loyalty and dedication.

In the first sitting, the council will review the National Council Bill, Election Bill, Public Campaign Fund Bill and National Referendum Bill.

The council has to approve the bills passed by the National Assembly before presenting them to king for ratification. NC members hinted at challenging the government’s interest to join the World Trade Organisation, to which Bhutan expects to join by 2009.

The NC can also review whether the executive and the national assembly are functioning in the best interest of the people, by looking at whether the broad policy is constitutional and if it has any vested interests.

The NC also has the power to review and comment on legislative proposals or bills initiated by the government or the national assembly (NA) and ascertain whether the laws and resolutions passed by parliament and the national policies, plans and programs are being implemented by the government and the people. Bhutan News Service