Thromde Election Scenarios.

Problems of over populated Thromdes and scanty Voters.

Enthusiasm for voting is inspired mostly by rival candidates' campaign push or Political Parties influence. In absence of Political Parties as in Thromde Election and with just one or two candidates standing for election, it is quite natural to expect very low voter turnouts. However,  the main drawbacks in voter turnout is simply lack of eligible voters among huge Thromde population.

The present rule permits only those who have census in the Thromdes to vote in the election of Thromde Thrompon and Tsokpas. Most residents in Thromde hail from different regions of Bhutan and have their census in their traditional home location.

One way to increase voter numbers would be to encourage those residents with immovable properties under Thromde to register their census also in the same Thromde. It may sound logical. However, there are huge underlying adverse national implications.

Can the delicately structured political system of Bhutan digest mass census migration to several urban centres such as Thimphu , Phuentsholing  and SamdrupJongkha? What would justify the continuation of present rural base constituencies for National Assembly Seats if population census moved out to urban centres? National Assembly should represent people not place.  And so its natural  for urban centres to expect/ demand more Constituency Seats to represent proportionate national population with their census in Thromdes.

There are many critical national reasons to avoid census migration to urban centres. Once totally cut off from any rural  connection, traditions and roots could disappear.  Overtime,  urban centres will have no roots and no particular identity and totally devoid of community instinct, affection or responsibility. True social integration or structured communities would be unheard of and culture a mixed bag as you sow, so shall you reap. If you are socially prominent there will be a crowd to share both your happy and sad occasions. But  otherwise you could very well be left isolated even among a crowd.
Such social environment does not encourage conducive nation building politics.

For national political stability and social harmony, maintaining census at traditional home base should be encouraged. Traditions and strong community system build positive social characters. And further, Bhutan cannot upset the traditional balance of power among the 20 Dzongkhags.

The establishment of so many Thromdes will inevitably bring about changes in social and political demography and also concepts. These could trample over the inbuilt mechanisms to protect traditional power centres. Might be more democratic in movement but social and political stability may fall prey to such demographic revolution.

However, the urban centre democractic deficiencies  should also be corrected. It is important that stakeholders are granted the opportunity to have their say in the administration of Thromdes.
Therefore,  the nation must  come up with new voting formula for Thromde Office Bearers Elections.  The Voter base in Thromde must be expanded to include those who have immovable assets like land and house under the Thromde and pay property taxes to the Thromde. This way stakeholders in Thromde can have their say through voting even though without census they cannot be candidates for Thrompon Post.

Candidates for Thrompon should have census in the Thromde but Tsokpas should be eligible from amongst all voters and also from established business proprietors who may not own immovable assets but nevertheless have important stake in the facilities and development activities of the Thromde.  

For better proficiency in administration and capability as members of Committee for main Thromde, the Tsokpas should have at least high school education. Otherwise they could be simply out manoeuvred by a well educated and experienced Thrompon. Such experienced and qualified Tsokpas have to be attracted through better pay.

Another suggestion for Candidates and Election Commission is that broadcast of information and notification is very effective through bulk SMS through Bhutan Telecom and Tashi Cell instead of News papers, Radios or Television. SMS not only alerts mobile owners but generates discussions and so spreads the messages very effectively. Not everyone listens to radio/ read papers or watch BBS TV. And relying on Tsokpas to notify voters is simply not bankable. But mobile culture is very vibrant in Bhutan even in the remotest corners where service is available. ECB ! Please promote democracy and voter participations  through reliable and vibrant mobile net works. Send bulk SMS ! Thank you for promoting genuine democracy culture.

Comprehending Chunipai Losar ( Ist day of 12th Lunar Month ).

For the last many years, the 1st day of 12th Lunar Month was declared a national holiday. Long before that it seems it was celebrated as a Traditional Day in the Eastern regions of Bhutan. Going by reasons put forth, the Day is supposed to be a Day of  Offerings from harvested crops to Shabdrung.

However, there is no notable harvest that takes place during the 11th and 12th Lunar months. Also it cannot be an Offering to Shabdrung because he had died before Chhoegyel Minjur Tenpa brought the Eastern regions under the Central Authority.

Perhaps the 30th day of 11th Lunar Month was the official final day of Tax Collections for the Eastern regions. So it must have been a rest and relief day on the 1st day of the 12th Lunar Month. Not exactly a day to celebrate for joys but at least for the good riddence of the burdensome taxes for the year.

During those feudal days,the burden of taxes was heavy and merciless. Taxes were in kinds like paddy for owning rice fields and butter for owning cow. In addition other material taxes were levied though the products were not grown or manufactured by the farmers. Then there were conscripted human labour and porterage taxes.

The Chunipai Losar maybe rooted in the East but all Bhutanese citizens of those gone by days laboured to keep the State and the many layers of feudal hierarchy well stocked and fed. It is important that we join hands and hearts to pay tributes to all our ancestors for bearing the burden of funding the State administration and contributing to national sovereignty.

In today's parlance, this day could be the 1st of March for the Payers of Personal Income Taxes the final payment day being the last day of the month of February. But today we do not bear the pain of sweating from the bones or heartburns from oppressions that were prevalent during those feudal and theocratic history.

I feel I celebrated the Day in the most satisfying way.  Reading Prayers to Jampelyang under the shade of a garden umbrella. It was bright and warm with the sun shining and constant supply of drinks and snacks. And the great weather during this historic memorial observation made a Great Day !  Thank you most Kadrinchhewai honourable ancestors of all regions of Bhutan for the national dignity you have cultivated for all generations of Bhutanese.
HAPPY. HAPPY CHUNIPAI LOSAR TO ALL BHUTANESE !

Pathankot a Tremor that's still shaking India to the national core.

How could six Terrorists terrorise the whole Indian National Security and Defence Apparatus for over 80 hours ( 4 days and 3 nights ) ? According to Indian version, the attack ended with death of 7 to 8 Indian Security Forces, many wounded and 6 Terrorists killed. The Terrorists not just breached inside the heavily fortified  Pathankot Air Base in Punjab but even had booby trapped Indian Security Forces in their own yard.

The Pathankot Air Base of Indian Air Force is supposed to be an impregnable fortified Forward Air Base, the forefront defence or attack base in case of war with Pakistan. And this nationally critical Air Base gets paralysed in the face of six suicidal Terrorists Team alleged to be sponsored by a Terrorist Wing based in Pakistan.  

The Government of India is so momentarily confused that it is now reduced to looking towards Pakistan to take counter measures against such deadly Terror Group. Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif though seems sympathetic to the situation of Prime Minister Modi  of India , is in no better position than India to combat Terror campaigns especially if it is conducted by ISIS. It is not at all clear who or which Terrorists Wing in Pakistan has such precise capability to take upon a highly and heavily fortified Air Base of India that too located in such a security sensitive Punjab State of India. The  boldness and the lightening precision smacks of ISIS which has publicly threatened to attack India. But so far in public, India is accusing groups in Pakistan. ISIS is such a Terror to many. In fact the  extraordinary American Statesman Henry Kissinger a Jew by birth is now calling  for a Hitler type of action against ISIS. Things have to be pretty bleak for a Jew to turn to Hitler to save the world.

In India, apart from the unshakable national nervousness, suspicions abound in both civil and military establishments on possible inside betrayals. Pathankot overshadows all other attacks attributed to Terrorists from Pakistan such as that of Parliament Building in Delhi and Mumbai multiple attacks. Those were kind of very soft targets compared to a heavily fortified military base. Incredibly Indian Intelligence was supposed to have had some advance information on an imminent attack and yet India found herself paralysed when the attack happened. Really sorry for those who died and those wounded.

Rediculous in many ways but the Nation has decided

( blogging the fb status of 7th Jan.)

Doctors cannot practice their profession once they have resigned from Government Service.

Retired Judges cannot practice law in the Royal Courts of Bhutan.

Now we need a law that bans former Dratsang Lopens from officiating at religious ceremonies; Retired civil servants from political posts and Beauty Queens from marrying.

Maybe in the near future Bhutan will come up with a law that mummifies senior citizens upon retirement.

Why do we promote such vindictive hurtful laws in the supposed land of Compassion and in a age of Democracy ? Why is it considered a crime or unethical to make honest living from skills gained over the years ?

An acknowledgement for views expressed on " Rediculous in many ways but the Nation has decided "

I want to express my appreciation to all for freely expressing your thoughts. My special thanks to Dasho Tashi Dorji of National Council and Dasho Nima Wangdi former Health Secretary because both Health Ministry and National Council are part of the problems under discussions here.

My own deduction is that the rule presently enforced by the Health Ministry and the decision of the National Council will have to give way to Trends Beyond their Comprehension.

As Dasho Nima Wangdi has pointed out these rules are of pre- democracy days and so the present Government or NC are not the original source. The fault of present NC Body and the present Government is their refusal to change the rules in the light of present  situations. Again we cannot blame every MP in National Council or every Minister in the Cabinet.

Last year the Government appointed a former drangpon who had resigned from Judiciary Service as Attorney General. This I felt was a welcome trend that highlighted necessary evolution in thought process of a emerging democratic nation.

Likewise if a former drangpon can represent the Prosecution in the Royal Court of Justice then ex- drangpons have to be allowed to represent the Defence in the Royal Court of Justice. This is what I mean when I said ' trends beyond their comprehension '

Also OAG is full of lawyer colleagues of Judges who preside  over the present Royal Courts of Justice. OAG lawyers are also deservingly being appointed as drangpons.  And  even many lawyer Jabmis in private law practice are classmates of the present drangpons. More than that Drangpons are not isolated individuals. They have families, friends and community ties. The system must learn to trust the drangpons to do justice to their entrusted judicial responsibilities. The retired or ex- drangpons should not be victimised on flimsy grounds that appear more of vindictiveness.

And as for medical doctors, the fact was a few months before the 108 National Day 17th December,2015, a former Dungtso was stopped from practising his trade. There was a very compelling history making letter that Kuensel carried from the Dungtso against the dictum of the Heath Ministry set up Body. Then on the National Day, His Majesty awarded this very officially persecuted Dungtso the National Gold  Medal for his service to the Nation from the time of the Third King and requested him to continue serving the people in medical need. This is what I mean when I said, ' trends beyond their comprehension '.

We have well educated and intelligent leaders and law makers. What is lacking is their devotion to honestly think over a situation or a problem. The tendency is to speak because they have the forum and make decisions because they have the powers. If every MP felt he or she is there to serve all and not carry out some parties' bidding, maybe laws would be less vindictive and personalised.

I must also point out that the National Assembly approving ex- drangpons practising in High Court and Supreme Court would have served no useful purpose if the Supreme Court had not  lately issued a legal directive in judicial process. Now High Court can conduct a full Hearing just like the Dzongkhag Courts unlike the previous restrictive judicial procedure.

The question of Local Government Election Timing legality.

It seems that the Constitution is very clear that Local Government Election is to be held upon completion of 5 year term unless politically prematurely dissolved. And this is not happening today.

It is not about who is right or wrong. It should be in the national interest to get such democratic process constitutionally right from the onset. Local Government concerns twenty Dzongkhags not just the three Thromdes facing election presently.

We seem to have a pro active Supreme Court. Various legal directives have been issued to streamline the process of judicial justice. In like manner, I hope the Supreme Court takes a proactive consideration of the present scenario.

Supreme Court is a living and nationally responsible esteemed Institution. It cannot remain a Monument silently witnessing if unconstitutional political /election process takes place.  

Is it proper for Supreme Court to submit its view to His Majesty the King without being called upon as to where the Constitution stands on the particular case of when it is constitutionally correct timing to hold Local Government Elections ?

It is the right time to intervene by the Constitutional Authorities. In the early formative years, the democratic political process of the nation need the constitutional guidance and intervention of the Supreme Court and His Majesty the King. Everything should not be left to Election Commission because this constitutional agency is not the ultimate authority in the interpretation of the Constitution.

Should the Local Government Election be held prematurely similar to National Council or after completion of full term similar to National Assembly ?

Like the Interim Government in the absence of Cabinet and National Assembly, the Local Governments also have a full functional Team headed by an Executive Secretary.  I think all the administrative structures are in place for Local Government Election to be held as so determined by the Constitution.

The Blessed years of my life and that of Families.

A great year is setting into history. So much happened and much reasons to be happily thankful.
The most gracious Triple Gem has been abundant in Blessings and Love. Of all the Prayers and Wishes in my life, the health of the family members has always been the most precious desire.

The year 2015 has been a year of good family health. I hope and pray that the coming New Year 2016 be Blessed and protected by the Triple Gem.

In gratefully bowing to the Passing Year and welcoming the New Year, I fondly and reverently thank the Family Deities and Ancestors for always guiding the Families and looking after all the members. It is with their Blessings and Guidance that our Families have been able to find Happiness and Comfort and preserve respect and self dignity.

Life is living and as such it cannot be totally free of trials and errors and even loss of life itself. What is important and what must be sought from Triple Gem, the Family Deities and Ancestors is the moral and spiritual strength to overcome difficulties if possible and otherwise to understand why some things happen and then be able to move forward with dignity, hope and love. This has been the secret of my way of living the life.

My love, blessings and good wishes to all younger members. I offer my respects and affection to all Elders of the Families. May the Year 2016 further strengthen the unity of the Families and Bless us with more members and self confidence.

What kind of a Tendrel Initiatives ? Reference BBS News.

To quote, "The first Tendrel Initiatives will be to make the Bhutanese aware of the symbolism and significance of Birth of the Royal Heir". Unquote

That the organisers feel that the People of Bhutan need to be taught to quote "the symbolism and significance of the Birth of Royal Heir" unquote,  is not just stupid arrogance but an insult to the Tsawa Sum. The insinuation that after 108 years of the Reigns of the great Wangchuck Kings, the Bhutanese people would not know what it means to welcome the Birth of Sixth King is unacceptable and unpalatable.

If People of the Kingdom of Bhutan still do not know the " symbolism and significance" of the Birth of the Crown Prince, then no commercial and self glorifying venture by any Agency is going to indoctrinate them hereafter. Please go about making your money or name but do not accuse the People of Bhutan of being ignorant of the , " symbolism and significance " of the Birth of the Crown Prince. On the other hand the tree planting initiative though not a new idea is nevertheless an appropriate deed to celebrate the occasion. A still better deed would be to give the money to a Hospital  for improving prenatal care.

So many Bhutanese have already poured their hearts out to welcome the gracious royal announcement. Bhutanese feel proud and honoured to be taken into such confidence by His Majesty the King. It is a true gesture of love that our King so willingly shared such a joyful historic news of the imminent arrival of the Birth of the Crown Prince. If the People of Bhutan needed to be taught the "symbolism and significance " then such precious loving news would not have been shared on the very auspicious day of the celebration of 60th Birth Anniversary of the Fourth Druk Gyalpo.

Foreign Currencies and Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan.

Recently it was confirmed that dollar inflow into the Country from Bhutanese working  outside Bhutan has remained at the same level in the last 2 years.

If you look at the statistic of increasing number of Bhutanese going outside in search of work, the dollar inflow should have increased year by year. The stagnancy in the amount of inflow could be related to the disparity in the exchange rate. For example if a person deposits dollar into the Bhutanese Banks the counter value is Nu: 65 per dollar. But on the same day if a person has to buy dollars from the Banks , the Banks demand Nu: 67.15 for every dollar. Therefore the exchange regulation in Bhutan discourages dollar inflow/ transactions through official channel. Such disparity promotes black market.

In case RMA provides same exchange rate for selling or buying foreign currencies like dollars, I feel that there will be a steady increase in the inflow of dollar through the official channel. Why is it necessary to make the currency exchange service so expensively favouring the Banks?

To Tell or not to Tell article by Kuensel Sonam Pelden evokes a critical social dilemma.

HIV/ AID affected patients should not be Victimised or Glorified. And public safety should come first.

Victimisation leads to social outcast. And Glorification create acceptability to the extent that the general people especially the vulnerable youth adopt more liberal sexual behaviours.

However, when such  patients voluntarily or involuntarily under influence of drugs or alcohol are engaging in public sexual conduct, the concerned authorities who conceal the identities of HIV/AID patients have to bear moral responsibility to protect public victims.

Why did such Agencies demonstrate irresponsibility until Chithuen Phendey made a public appeal? Such social irresponsibility is nothing short of criminal deed.