Thursday, July 10, 2008

FROM REGIME

Laptops banned in NA
Bhutan News Service
Thimphu, July 01

The National Assembly restricted all its members from using laptop computers during the house session for fear they might spend their time playing computer games.

The decision came soon after some member demanded the use of laptops instead of bundles of papers while coming to the session.

The provision has been made in the new rules set for the House without any elaborate discussion at the assembly about its pros and cons.

Speaker Nima Tshering said the restriction was made fearing that playing games and viewing pictures might distract member from discussion sessions.

Additionally, house rules ban members from using electronic gadgets, eating and smoking.

Provision was made after it was revealed that lawmakers mostly use the laptops for checking up on their Facebook accounts and posting funny pictures on their blogs.

Parties to be deprived of funds
Bhutan News Service
Thimphu, July 02
The Bhutanese political parties will have to face further crunches of fund for their upcoming political activities, who already are in massive debt after the first national election campaign early this year.

After few rounds of discussion, the National Council or the Upper House of the parliament rejected the government proposal to allocate additional support to two political parties in the parliament.

The cabinet had earlier, without approval from the parliament, decided to allocate some Nu 15 to 20 million annual fund for each People’s Democratic Party and Druk Phuensum Tshogpa, which was meant to repay their loans consumed during the polls campaign and pay the party workers.
The government had also decided to allocate certain fund to National Assembly members in the name of constituency development grant.

Legal provisions bar political parties from getting fund from the government or any other foreign donors, leading to virtual collapse of the newly formed parties. Political parties need to sustain with registration, membership fees and voluntary contributions. Government is allowed to provide financial support to parties only during the polls.

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