January 9: The National Assembly members discussed whether there is a need to grant an annual entertainment allowance to the geogs. The issue could not be resolved yesterday as many of members suggested that the issue should be discussed with the geog and dzongkhag administrators.

The house also lifted the ban on the sale of meat on the 1st and 4th months of the Bhutanese calendar.

The National Assembly representative from Monggar constituency Karma Lhamo said, an annual entertainment allowance should be provided to the geogs as they have to entertain visiting officials at their own expenses. The National Assembly representative from Geonkhatoe-Laya constituency in Gasa Damcho Dorji and some other members supported Karma Lhamo’s view.

However the Home and Cultural Affairs Minister Lyonpo Minjur Dorji said the ministry has issued a notification informing the dzongkhag and geog officials that the government cannot provide funds to entertain visiting officials in the geogs.

He said Dzongkhag and geog officials have also been reminded that they cannot ask for contributions from the people to entertain visiting officials since the officials are provided travel and daily allowance.

The Opposition Leader Tshering Tobgay said in keeping with the tradition and culture, geog officials will provide meals to visiting officials, so there is a need to provide a small entertainment fund to the geogs.

The Finance Minister Lyonpo Wangdi Norbu and the Agriculture Minister Lyonpo Dr. Pema Gyamtsho said the entertainment allowance could be used from the tax collected from the villagers or geog could forward the expenditure bill to the organizations of the visiting officials.

Meanwhile, the Works and Human Settlements Minister Lyonpo Yeshey Zimba said the matter could be discussed with the geog administrators and dzongkhag officials. Other members supported his submission. The house then decided that the issue will be discussed with the dzongkhag and geog officials.