July 22: The National Assembly passed the National Referendum Bill and the Parliamentary Entitlement Bill yesterday. While the National Referendum Bill was passed with not many changes, the members reviewed the changes made by the National Council members in the Parliamentary Entitlement Bill.

The National Assembly members were firm with their decision to drop the sitting fees from the Parliamentary Entitlement Bill. The Bill was presented to the National Assembly after it was discussed in the National Council where its members decided to keep the sitting fees, as reflected in the bill.

The National Assembly members also decided to go with their decision to include drivers allowance in the bill. This issue in the National Council however remained divided on the driver’s allowance.

The National Assembly members also said the Cabinet Ministers entitlements should not be reflected in the Parliamentary Entitlement Bill. The National Council members said it should be reflected.

The Prime Minister Lyonchen Jigmi Y. Thinley said if the entitlements of the cabinet ministers are put under the Parliamentary Entitlement Bill it will cause inconvenience as the Executive, the Legislative and the Judiciary should be kept separate as per the Constitution. He said if the salaries and benefits of the ministers are included in the entitlement bill, legislative and executive will not be separate as mentioned in the Constitution.

The submission of the Prime Minister was supported by the National Assembly members from Nyisho-Sephu constituency Gyem Dorji, the Labour and Human Resource Minister, Lyonpo Dorji Wangdi, the Health Minister Lyonpo Zangley Drukpa and the Economic Affairs Minister, Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk.

The National Assembly member from Goenkhatoe-Laya constituency Damcho Dorji however said the salaries and benefits of the ministers should be included in the bill to be transparent and let the people know about the entitlement of the cabinet ministers.

Supporting Damcho Dorji’s view the Opposition Leader Tshering Tobgay said even if it is not mentioned in the same bill, the benefits and entitlement of the Cabinet Minister should be made public.

The Prime Minister said the salaries and benefits are being decided by the Pay Commission and once decided by the Pay Commission, it will be presented in the National Assembly and will be made transparent through the media.