Issues related to the lack of human resources in the local government are expected to be discussed in the upcoming National Assembly session. Concerns regarding local governments being unable to fully implement developmental activities due to lack of human resources have been raised to the Members of Parliament (MPs). The deputy speaker shared this during a press conference today, ahead of the first session of the fourth parliament.
Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Sangay Khandu, said several issues have come through the Dzongkhag Tshogdus across the country while some were raised by the Members of Parliament concerned about their respective constituencies.
Among several issues raised, one of the issues that caught the attention of the MPs is the shortage of human resources in the local government.
Sangay Khandu, the deputy speaker of the National Assembly said, “There are no engineers and finance officers in the local government. When the local government is entrusted with a huge budget to implement developmental activities, there is a lack of human resources to work on projects.”
He added that some gewogs face a shortage of female nurses, while others face a shortage of teachers, and agriculture and livestock extension officers.
Moreover, Lhakpa Tshering Tamang, the chairperson of the Good Governance Committee, said the upcoming session will also discus the functioning of cluster engineering and accounts services in districts.
“People say they used to get services on time in the past. However, now they question if it is because of lack of engineers or finances, or is it because of civil servants leaving the country. So, cluster services have become slightly inconvenient for now,” he said.
The session is also expected to discuss on crop and livestock insurance system, water source management and protection and issues related to the Pay Structure Reform Act 2022.
It will also deliberate on the National Assembly (Amendment) Bill of Bhutan 2024, Report on the draft 13th Five Year Plan, Impeachment Procedure Bill of Bhutan 2024, Review Report of Annual Audit Report 2022-2023 and Air Services Agreement between the Royal Government of Bhutan and State of Kuwait among others.
The prime minister will also present the State of the Nation Report, including legislative plans and priorities of the government during the joint sitting of the parliament.
The first session of the fourth parliament is scheduled to begin on Sunday.
Kinzang Lhadon
Edited by Kipchu
