Lyonpo Wangdi Norbu

Question Hour 26 June, 2010 - With just over two years until the first democratically elected government’s term ends, some of its members are beginning to feel the pressure of not being able to fulfill the promises they made to their constituency electorates.

This was evident from some of the parliament members, who asked the finance minister on the developments of Nu 34B government of India (GoI) grant provided for development activities across the country.

During question hour yesterday, Gangzur-Minjay parliament member Karma Rangdol raised his concerns, particularly over utilisation of Nu 7B of the total Nu 34B allocated for small development projects like farm roads.

Given that DPT government had just about two years until the next elections, he said, people wished to know how much of that money was spent, how the government would distribute the funds and where they would be used.

“We’ve promised them roads, bridges and other infrastructure development during our campaigns,” he said. “We feel a strong sense of having to live up to those promises.”

In response, finance minister Lyonpo Wangdi Norbu said the GoI funds were being used in all development projects.

On allocation of Nu 7B for small development projects, he said, they would be used in accordance with the 10th plan.

“It’ll be used in keeping with the local government’s priorities that will benefit people directly, thus avoiding inconveniences during implementation,” he said. Of the total Nu 7B, the Indian government granted Nu 1,313M to be used for the development activities.

He said the funds were mostly used for farm road construction.

“The government has already received Nu 393.9M,” the minister said. “We need to submit the expenditure report to India to receive the remaining Nu 666M.” While Nu 195M was being used for small development projects 2009-2010, he said Nu 1,643M was slated for 2010-2011.

He informed the Indian government agreed to grant Nu 100B, of which Nu 34B was allocated for the 10th plan and the rest 66B is for hydropower project With about 440 projects planned under the DPT government, he said Nu 27B would be used in the program grants and projects grants.

With the government’s biggest concern being the inability to execute works and utilise the fund as planned, he said, they would have to make sure that projects were implemented.

“We’ll have to achieve all development activities before the party’s tenure ends,” the minister said.