According to the draft, a National Committee on parliamentary entitlements would be formed with the chairpersons of the Pay Commission, Royal Civil Service commission, and one member each from the National Assembly, National Council, Opposition leader and the finance ministry as members to advice the Pay Commission on the entitlements.

Although, the salary of the cabinet ministers was not announced, the draft Act says that the salary, allowances, benefits and other emoluments of the Speaker of the National Assembly, the chairperson of the National Council, and the leader of the Opposition party would be equivalent to that of cabinet ministers. Currently cabinet ministers are paid Nu. 85,000 a month.

The Act, which would be passed by the new parliament in 2008 would, however, not apply to the members of the Lhengye Zhungtshog.

MPs would also get a 30 percent house rent allowance during their term in office, a telephone at home, medical facilities, and free stationery and postal services all in accordance to existing applicable rules.

A member of the parliament would be entitled to actual lodging for one room during travel or a daily allowance of Nu.500 or a lump sum amount of Nu.1,000 a day. They would also be entitled to a sitting fee of Nu.800 a day and would use the executive lounge while travelling in and out of the country.

According to the draft Act, the salary of the MPs would not be reduced during their term of office.

Meanwhile, members of the parliament, except the five “eminent persons” appointed by the Druk Gyalpo to the National Council, would wear the blue kabney without the frills and without the patang.

The five eminent persons would continue to wear the same kabney if they had been awarded a kabney before becoming the members of the council.

“The MPs, the Speaker of the National Assembly and the chairperson of the Council shall not wear the official kabney once they cease to be a member of the parliament,” states the draft Act.

The members of parliament will also be entitled to retirement benefits like the pension and provident funds in accordance with the pension and provident rules.