20 May, 2009 - The opposition leader Tshering Tobgay yesterday submitted a complaint to the ministry of finance against the establishment of the constituency development grant (CDG).

Views on CDG Opposition leader Fear of corruption Unconstitutional Negative effect on local governance National Council Against free & fair elections CDG failed in India, Philippines and Kenya. Government CDG approved at Nu 10m, for five years at 2m per year per NA MP Joint approval from gewog tshogdey & MP to spend For activities not covered by budget

“It’s not good for Bhutan and, more importantly, it’s unconstitutional so I’m taking up the issue with the government,” said the opposition leader Tshering Tobgay.

“It can breed both monetary and political corruption and could be used to win elections in future, which no amount of check and balance can prevent,” he added.

Earlier in April the Cabinet approved CDG, and the ministry of finance is already putting in place mechanisms for the funds to start flowing.

However, in early January, the National Council had unanimously voted against CDG, calling it faulty and unconstitutional, and submitted the matter to His Majesty the King for guidance.

NC legislative committee member, Karma Damcho Nidup, said, “We’ve forwarded the matter to His Majesty since we believe it’s through him that we can get a judicial review on the issue when the Supreme Court comes up.”

“People at the grassroots know what’s best for them and they should have the final say, but now people won’t get what they want and scarce resources will be squandered,” said Tshering Tobgay.

He said that the local government was already getting too little resources and, rather than increasing the amount, it was being ‘siphoned off,’ so that MPs could have a say in development at the grass root level.

He also said the Constitution was being violated under Article 1.13 that required the powers of the legislature and executive to be separate; Article 10.2, which refers to parliament’s function as being review of bills and policies and scrutiny of state functions; Article 20.2, which says that executive function is with the cabinet; and Article 22.1, which states that power shall be devolved to the local government.

The finance minister Lyonpo Wangdi Norbu had told Kuensel that CDG was a part of the budget and had been approved by the National Assembly. The government says that national assembly members will be accountable for selection and overall benefit, the ministry of finance for timely release of funds, and gups for timely disbursement of funds and implementation of activities.