June 18: His Majesty the King graced the opening session of the National Council yesterday morning.

His Majesty the King was received by the Chairperson and the members of the National Council. His Majesty was then escorted in traditional Chipdrel ceremony to the National Council Hall.

Inside the hall, the Chairperson of the National Council Threzin Namgay Penjore, the Vice Chairperson Dasho Karma Ura and five other members offered Kusung Thukten Mendrel to His Majesty the Druk Gyalpo.

It was followed by a Zhungdrel Phuenseum Tshogpai ceremony.

At the opening, the chairperson Namgay Penjore pledged to serve the country with loyalty and dedication and fulfill the aspirations of Their Majesties the Kings in ensuring the success of democracy in Bhutan.

Among its various responsibilities, the National Council is responsible for reviewing the functioning of the executive and the National Assembly. The Council is also responsible for reviewing and commenting on the legislative proposals or bills initiated by the government or the National Assembly. It will also ascertain whether the laws and resolutions passed by the National Assembly and the national policies, plans and programs are being implemented by the government and the people.

Following the opening ceremony, the members of the National Council discussed their agenda for the next coming days.

Tabled for discussions in the next few days are the Election Bill, the Public Election Fund Bill, the National referendum Bill and the National Council Bill.