TRANSLATION OF THE RESOLUTIONS OF THE 87 TH SESSION OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF BHUTAN I. INAUGURAL CEREMONY The 87th session of the National Assembly began on the 22 nd day of the 4 th month of the Fire Female Pig Year corresponding to June 7, 2007. His Majesty the King was escorted to the Assembly Hall with the elaborate Chipdrel and Serdrang ceremony. The session commenced with the traditional Zhugdrel Phuensum Tshogpai Tendrel ceremony . Addressing the inaugural ceremony, His Majesty the King said that 55 years has passed since the National Assembly of Bhutan was established by His late Majesty King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck in 1953. To further strengthen the sovereignty and security of the country and realizing the welfare and happiness of the Bhutanese people, a democratic form of Government has emanated from the Golden Throne under the benevolent reign of His Majesty the King Jigme Singye Wangchuck that will be adopted next year. His Majesty the King commanded that the current session of the National Assembly would be the last session to be conducted under the present system. The Assembly would meet again only after the general election in 2008. Keeping in view the important events for the democratic transition in the country, His Majesty the King urged all the people with skills, experience and desire to serve the country should actively take part in this democratic transition. His Majesty reminded the people that this generation in Bhutan‘s history should carry the sacred duty of ensuring the success of the democratic transition. For the success of this transition, it is very important for all the people above 18 years of age to participate in the coming elections. His Majesty said that every noble deeds of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo Jigme Singye Wangchuck has not only been recorded in the history of the country but also in the world at large. Since the time of His enthronement, the sun of peace and happiness has been shining ever more than before while ensuring and strengthening the sovereignty and security of the country. Besides achieving unprecedented socio- economic development in the country and realizing the overarching philosophy of Gross National Happiness and the system of Good Governance, His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo has brought about remarkable accomplishments beyond the aspirations of the Bhutanese people towards the attainment of the National Goals. His Majesty added that the remarkable progress achieved was also due to the dedication and commitment of the entire Bhutanese people who have collectively carried out their duties to the nation to the best of their abilities. His Majesty commended and conveyed His gratitude to the clergy, ministers, government officials, people’s representatives and the people of all the twenty Dzongkhags. His Majesty reminded that the people are all aware of the kinds of benefits that the country and the people are going to reap in the event the new political system is successful. Likewise, the people were also aware of the magnitude of the problems that would ensue upon the failure of the new democratic transition. However, strong foundations have been laid to ensure an ideal introduction of the new parliamentary form of Government. Therefore, this new political changes in the country will not bring any harm or misfortune. His Majesty the King reiterated that His Majesty King Jigme Singye Wangchuck has sown the seeds of democratization and after its successful introduction, it was His solemn duty to work with the people and ensure that the roots of democracy is further strengthened each passing year in the country, thus, benefiting the Bhutanese people for generations to come. His Majesty reminded that we have 20 Dzongkhags and 205 Geogs. Soon, after the start of the political process, we will have 47 constituencies and many political parties and candidates. In such times, the entire Bhutanese people should lay emphasis on the democratic system and put in extra efforts and dedication while carrying out their services to the nation. We must always be one nation with one shared national goal. “One nation – one goal” and always stand united in spirit and purpose so that the sun of peace and happiness continue to shine perpetually in our country. His Majesty the King also said that He is aware of the preparations for a grand Coronation in 2008 and appreciates the very thought of the Government and the people for an elaborate celebration. However, His Majesty reminded the members that one of His deepest concerns was the effective utilization of the limited resources of the Government and commanded that it was adequate that the Coronation Ceremony be carried out in keeping with our traditional system rather than a grand formal coronation like in other parts of the world. His Majesty said that the blessings of the Guardian Deities and of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo and the faith and confidence of the people of Bhutan is most important to Him as King and expressed His satisfaction on the successful inauguration of the 87 th Session of the National Assembly. In his opening speech, the Speaker welcomed His Majesty the King, Members of the Royal Family, Prime Minister, National Assembly Members, senior government officials, representatives of the international community, representatives of the international donor agencies, and other distinguished guests to the inaugural ceremony of the 87 th Session of the National Assembly. The Speaker highlighted the unprecedented socio-economic achievements brought about under the benevolent leadership of the Hereditary Monarchs. The Speaker added that the remarkable progress achieved in the religious and cultural spheres under the leadership of His Majesty the Fourth Gyalpo was a true testimony of His service to the people which has left an undeletable impression on the Bhutanese people. With regard to further strengthening the Bhutan-India relationship, the 1949 India- Bhutan Friendship Treaty was reviewed and updated. His Majesty the Fifth Druk Gyalpo signed the updated treaty during His visit to New Delhi on February 8, 2007. The Speaker expressed gratitude and appreciation to His Majesty the Fourth King, His Majesty the Fifth Druk Gyalpo and the Government of India. A copy of the inaugural speech is annexed at the end of this resolution booklet. II. REPORT BY THE PRIME MINISTER ON THE PERFORMANCE OF THE GOVERNMENT IN THE PAST YEAR Presenting the annual report on the performance of the government for the fiscal year 2006-2007, the Prime Minister reminded the House that during the year, under the visionary leadership of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo and His Majesty the Fifth Druk Gyalpo, the Royal Government continued to strive for all round socio-economic development in the country for the wellbeing of our people. He added that several significant and historic events have taken place during the year. The most important being the assumption of responsibilities of Monarch by His Majesty the Fifth King. He said that this profound transition is indeed an unparalleled event in the history of the world. The report was divided into five sections highlighting this special event as well as other significant events, socio-economic performance, sectoral performances, national concerns and challenges and plans and priorities for the coming year. A copy of the Annual Report containing 115 pages was distributed to the members. While deliberating on the report, the members on behalf of the people expressed their satisfaction and appreciation on the performance of the government in the past year. Members requested that though it may incur additional expenditure on the Government, training on the use of voting machine may be carried out in the Chiwogs since such understanding will immensely benefit the people. The numerous concerns raised by the members related to issues on elections and constituencies were clarified by the Prime Minister. In addition, the Speaker reminded that problems are likely to occur during the initial stage of the first parliamentary elections in the country and that it was appropriate to mitigate the problems related to elections through joint discussion between the Prime Minister’s office and the Chief Election Commissioner’s office. The members also requested for the distribution of copies of the updated 1949 Treaty for proper understanding of the provisions in the treaty by the people. Issues pertaining to the decline in the share of percentage of the agriculture sector contributing to the national GDP and the imbalance between the export and import pricing index; the sub- standard quality of road between Samtse and Tendu; improper handling of the Joint Certification of Contract works were also raised by the members. Members submitted that the sale and consumption of alcohol as reported through the radio broadcast was relatively high despite continued efforts and measures taken by the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Health to contain the problem. The members also submitted that issues regarding the Agreement on Double Taxation between Bhutan and India should be resolved at the earliest possible and elaborate preparations be carried out for the grand Coronation in 2008. In response, the Agriculture Minister reported on the successful outcome of the policies and targets initiated under the agriculture Sector. He explained that the decline in the percentage share of agriculture sector contributing to the national GDP should not come as a concern since this is a natural trend brought about by the process of rapid industrialisation and urbanisation in the country. He added that the decreasing dependency of the total population on agriculture from the previous 80-89 percent to the present 69 percent has been chiefly due to the booming commerce and industries that has led to the growth of several new towns, which in turn has triggered rural- urban migration of youth seeking employment opportunities.