June 12: His Majesty the King conferred Dakyen to the Chairperson of the National Council Namgay Penjore yesterday.

His Majesty also conferred the orange scarf and Patang to the Chairperson of the National Council.

Namgay Penjore was elected as the Chairperson of the National Council through a secret ballot on April 29. The National Council has 25 members, 20 elected by the people and five appointed by His Majesty the King.

Born in 1966, Namgay Penjore is from Goenshari geog in Punakha. He graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce from Sherubtse College in 1991. Later he obtained a Masters Degree in Business Administration from MP Birla Institute in Bangalore, India.

He has worked as a Manager for the Tashi Group of Companies, as an accounts officer and officer on special duty for the Penden Cement Authority Limited. He has also worked as a General Manager of the Bhutan Power Corporation Limited and the Forestry Development Corporation Limited.

He was elected as a National Council member from Punakha.

Following the ceremony, Namgay Penjore offered Ngyendhar in the Dukhang of the Tashichhodzong.

Conferring Dakyen to the Chairperson of the National Council, His Majesty the King said the National Council plays a critical role in the parliament and in fulfilling the long term goal of a strong and vibrant democracy.

Conferring Dakyen to the Chairperson of the National Council, Namgay Penjore, His Majesty the King said the institution of the National Council plays a critical role in the parliament and in fulfilling the long term goal of a strong and vibrant democracy.

His Majesty reposed his trust and confidence in the members of the National Council and the Chairperson.

His Majesty also said that while there is no institutional norm for conferring of Dakyen to the Leader of the Opposition, as a special instance, Dhar would be granted through the exercise of the Royal Prerogatives under article 2.16(a) of the Draft Constitution.

His Majesty said both parties represent the people of Bhutan in the National Assembly. Further, the opposition’s responsibility in Bhutanese democracy is unique as enshrined in article 18 of the Draft Constitution.

However, for the small opposition in the present parliament to fully represent the people who have voted for the party and fulfill its profound constitutional duties, it was felt that at this critical stage at the start of democracy, full support and encouragement must be provided to it and to all the different institutions of our democratically elected parliament.