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CDG revocation deferred

14 March 2010

The revocation of constituen­cy development grant (CDG) is deferred to April, according to National Assembly Speak­er Jigme Tshultrim. Earlier, it was said that the revocation of the grant would be consid­ered after DPT government’s two years in office, which is this month.

The decision will be taken after getting views from the gewog tshogdes (GT). CDG will be stopped if the major­ity of the GTs submitted that it was not useful.

The speaker said that it would be difficult to come to a conclusion since most of the MPs had not used their CDG yet. “First, the money will have to be used. Only then will we get into consultation with the GT,” he said.

Meanwhile, most gups around the country are in fa­vour of the grant. They say that it would cover activities which were beyond the scope of the 10th plan. However, a few of them were not sure about it. A few others do not know what CDG is.

Thimphu Soe Gup Kincho Dorji said many people did not understand CDG. “Activi­ties not within the govern­ment plans can be taken up through CDG,” he said, add­ing that the grant will lie with the local government and not the MPs.

Chang Gup Minjur is in a dilemma. “If I say it is neces­sary, nothing has been done by the MPs, and if I say no, there won’t be any fund for future developments. Money has not come to us, but we will need it,” he said.

The Mongar DYT chairman said CDG took care of many unplanned activities. “It’s not illegal because although it comes through the MPs, it will remain with the gewog,” he said, adding that in their constituency, it was already being used.

The gewog administrative officer of Norbugang said there was no chance to mis­use the grant as there was a committee to oversee CDG activities.

Since the local govern­ment has total authority on the developmental activities and decisions made at the lo­cal level, some MPs said CDG would keep them connected with the people at the grass­roots.

However, some people are of the view that CDG was ini­tiated to gain political mile­age. A corporate employee said the MPs might endorse activities in places with larger vote bank neglecting impor­tant ones.

Opposition Leader Tsher­ing Tobgay said that, if CDG was legal and good for the people and the country, the government should contin­ue, and if not, it should be stopped.

Dagana’s Goshi Gup said the grant would create con­fusion among the people. “Why should the grant come through the MPs? It would only help them in their next elections,” he said.

A few other gups from Samtse and Trashiyangtse shared the same view.

The 47 National Assembly members are eligible for Nu 2 million annually as CDG to be spent on programmes that have been approved by the GT and the representative concerned.

Although the National As­sembly pushed it through, the National Council did not en­dorse it.

Stating that the grant was not in conformity with the provisions of the constitution and that it would compro­mise the conduct of free and fair elections, the Chief Elec­tion Commissioner of Bhu­tan, Dasho Kunzang Wangdi, had written to the Prime Min­ister last year on the need to revoke the decision

Back Drop
  • CDG was approved in April, 2009
  • National Council expressed shock at an executive order from the Finance Minister approving CDB
  • Opposition Leader called it illegal and unconstitutional
  • Election Commission called for revocation of CDG
  • Prime Minister submitted to Election Commission that re­vocation of CDG would be considered after two years of DPT government in power

By Sonam Pelden & Jigme wangchuk

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