NA forms parliamentary committees

Thimphu, June 04: The National Assembly on June 3 finalized 14 parliamentary committees who would take over sideline discussion on specific issues before the parliament endorses.

The parliamentary committees include public accounts, poverty reduction, legislation, foreign relations, human rights, women and children, culture, labor and employment, private sector development, environment and urban development, youth and sports, media and information communication technology, education development, and ethics.

The National Assembly has not yet finalized on the roles and responsibility these committees would be given. All the committees have five members but excluding all ministers and opposition leader.

Several members of the NA have been chosen from roles in various committees due to lack of adequate members to form the committees. Initially, Speaker had ruled that no members should involve in more than two committees.

The prime minister, Jigmi Thinley expressed hope that committees would help ensure doing good in long run. However, he articulated that formation of committees would help ministers to cut short the criticism and questions from public.

Proposal from deputy speaker for a GNH committee and supported by the opposition leader, was turned down. Bhutan News Service