PM announcing the establishment of GNH Commission

January 19: The Royal Government yesterday announced the establishment of the GNH Commission.

At a press conference held yesterday afternoon, the Prime Minister Lyonpo Kinzang Dorji said the GNH Commission, combining the functions of the Planning Commission and the Committee of Secretaries, will be formed immediately.

Chaired by the Prime Minister with Cabinet Secretary as Vice-Chairperson, the GNH Commission’s members include the Government Secretaries and the Head of the National Environment Commission Secretariat. The present Planning Commission will assume the role of GNH Secretariat.

The Centre for Bhutan Studies (CBS) will develop practical and target oriented indicators for GNH and provide feedback on issues under consideration in the GNH Commission.

Bhutan Development Index being developed by the CBS shall be adopted by the government as the country’s development measure.

A news release from the office of the Prime Minister says all Ministries will have a GNH Committee. The Committee will comprise of Secretary as the Chairman, the Directors as members and the Chief Planning officer as the Member Secretary to the Committee. Similar committees will also be formed at the dzongkhag and gewog level.

The release from the office of the Prime Minister says the GNH-ization of plans and policies will be focused on the immediate tasks of promoting the following objectives:

Our People- investing in the nation’s greatest asset
Harmonious Living-living in harmony with tradition and nature
Effective and Good Governance and
Developing a Dynamic Economy as the foundation for a vibrant democracy.