June 21: After much deliberation the National Assembly decided to make changes to section 139 of chapter 16 of the National Assembly bill yesterday. The change will require one third of the members to initiate a motion of no confidence against a minister.

Section 139 of chapter 16 of the National Assembly bill states that a member may move a motion of no confidence against a minister. This means any member can initiate a motion of no confidence against a minister.

The representative from Nyisho-Sephu constituency in Wangduephodrang Gyem Dorji said it should require at least one third of the members to initiate a motion of no confidence against a minister. He said if any member can initiate a motion of no confidence, there are chances that a member may initiate a motion of no confidence against a minister based on his or her personal likes and dislikes.

The Health Minister Lyonpo Zangley Drukpa said the Prime Minster has the power to remove and appoint the council of ministers. He said a motion of no confidence is initiated against a government and not against ministers. Therefore section 139 should be removed.

The Opposition Leader Tshering Tobgay said the section and other related sections should be removed. He said section three of article 17 of the constitution clearly states that the Druk Gyalpo shall appoint ministers from among the members of the National Assembly on the recommendation of the Prime Minister or shall remove a minister on the advice of the Prime Minister. He said if section 139 is not removed it may override section three of article 17.

The representative from Goenkhatey-Laya constituency Damcho Dorji also said the section should be removed. He said there is no difference between a motion of no confidence against the government or the ministers. He said if a motion of no confidence is initiated against the government, it is a motion of no confidence against the ministers. The Speaker Tshogpoen Jigme Tshultrim said in a parliamentary democracy it will not be a good idea to give all the powers to one person.

The representative from Lingmukha-Toewang constituency in Punakha Namgay Wangchuk said the power to appoint and remove ministers lies in the hands of the Prime Ministers.

The Zhabto Lyonpo Yeshey Zimba said the section should not be removed. He said instead of one member it should be changed to one third.

After much deliberation the house decided to change section 139 of chapter 16. Instead of one member, with the change one third of the members will be required to move a motion of no confidence against a minister.