January 12: National Council today discussed member representatives of Parliament to the Public Accounts Committee. Members said instead of seven members it's ideal for the committee to have five.

The National Council representative from Pemagatshel said it will be better to have five members to the Public Accounts Committee.

At present the Committee has seven members- five from National Assembly and two from National Council. It does not have a member representative from the Opposition Party.

Jigmi Rinzin said according to Section 6, Article 25 of the Constitution, the Public Accounts Committee of the Parliament shall have five members. He said of the five members, two should represent the National Council and three the National Assembly.

The member said from the three National Assembly members, one should be appointed from the Opposition Party. He said this will add to transparency and accountability of the Public Accounts Committee.

Jigmi Rinzin pointed out rather than discussing the public accounts reports separately it is better to be tabled in the joint sitting of the Parliament.

The proposal was supported by Council members from Gasa Sangay Khandu and other members. The house then decided that the proposal will be put up to the National Assembly Secretariat.

Following this, the National Council member Kinley Tshering proposed to discuss the existing Civil and Criminal procedure code and Penal Code of Bhutan. The house agreed this will be discussed in the third session of the National Council.