Prime Minister Lyonchhen Dr. Lotay Tshering presented the fourth Annual Report on the State of the Nation including legislative plans, annual plans, and priorities of the Government to the Joint Sitting of the Parliament today as per article 10 (10) of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan. The Report was presented in three parts-Part I-The Past, Part II- The Present, and Part III- The Future. 

Regarding the annual budget, the Prime Minister informed that the Government had allocated less budget during the initial years, which peaked during the middle of the term.  He further reported that the maximum budget was in the current fiscal year with 52% of the budget allocated for capital expenditure which enabled the launch of many initiatives.

On the economy of the Country, it was reported that the main contribution to the  Gross Domestic Product was on account of the government fund and that the economic growth rate was around 5% as of now. He highlighted the importance of the convertible currency for the development of the country which was mainly import-driven. He said there were eight FDIs already and seven more are under process. It was also reported that individual consumption habits had implications on the dollar reserve and the total foreign exchange reserve of the Country stands at USD 776.63 million for now. While underscoring the importance of hydropower,  he raised concerns on the return on investment and its sustainability.

On the Education front, the Prime Minister submitted that not just classroom education, but both knowledge and skills have become imperative to be relevant in the current era and the education system needed to be aligned to the demand.  He further informed the House that a new impetus is being set to ensure education for lifelong learning, lifelong skilling, and 21st-century readiness aiming to answer all issues faced in the system, be it service delivery, employment or economy.  He also reported on the urgency to revamp our early childhood education development (ECCD) stating his belief that children aged between 2.5–8 years must be enrolled in ECCD facilitated by properly trained ECCD facilitators specialising in childcare with knowledge of psychosocial needs, first aid and nutritional requirements with the same qualification as sub-specialised primary school teachers.

Regarding Health services, the Prime Minister reported that only Nu 75 billion was provisioned for the sector in the 12th Plan. However, it was brought to the attention of the House that many programs had been initiated to construct dedicated infectious disease hospital in Gidakom, mother and child hospitals in Mongar and Thimphu, rolled out specialised services in medical, gynaecology, paediatric, and general surgery through cluster hospitals, and even set off to start MBBS program by 2023.

Pertaining to the Digital Drukyul flagship program, the Prime Minister submitted that the digital economy is the way forward to increase household income, further improving the living standard of the people. He also reported on the National Digital Identity program which is underway, gathering biometrics from 205 gewogs and the thromdes.

On the country’s fertility rate, it was submitted that it stands at 1.7%, while the required replacement rate is 2.1% meaning undesirable long-term negative impacts such as an ageing population and a depleting working-age population. Therefore, he reported that one of the targets of the 13th Plan is to reverse the fertility rate.

Speaking on the current trend of citizens seeking better employment and earning prospects abroad, the Prime Minister submitted that when our youth can perform exceedingly well and deliver in other countries, it goes to indicate that the system in the country is not functioning well and is inadequate in fostering the growth and development of the youth. Thus, the historic reform, the Transformation Initiative, is being carried out in a  magnitude and urgency never felt before, and this year is more pertinent to delve deeper into the state of the nation.

On the COVID-19 success story, the Prime Minister reported that His Majesty The King is the definitive answer to the success. As the country gradually emerges from the pandemic with the people being safe and vaccinated with almost four doses of the best COVID-19 vaccines available, the Prime Minister submitted that the people of Bhutan owe our mere being on this earth to His Majesty The King, a compassionate leader who risked his own life and sacrificed everything to protect the country and the people. He further submitted that the blessings of the leader, powerful guardian deities, and faith in the precious Buddha Dharma served as a powerful, reckoning force that sheltered the people of Bhutan from looming dangers.

The Prime Minister also expressed his deepest gratitude to De-Suups, submitting that with 52 batches so far and over 31,000 De-suups among us, the societal transformation His Majesty conceived through this voluntary institution will go down in the history of Bhutan. Speaking on the various activities undertaken by the De-Suups, he stated that it is difficult to spell out all the involvement, but it is safe to say that the communities are safer, cleaner, and better because of the orange personnel among us. The Prime Minister thus offered gratitude and respect to His Majesty for infusing a sense of purpose among the youth and giving them relevance in the nation’s progression.

The Prime Minister informed the House that for the nation to progress, honesty about the present and a plan for the future is a must. Glancing forward, he submitted that the Government will ride the ongoing national transformation wave, upholding the Royal vision every step of the way, and stated the need to enhance the strength and to push the limits to match the loads required to be carried. This, he submitted, is the essence of the transformation the country is seeking. The 13th Plan, which does not limit the Plan to a five-year cycle but spans over a decade is reported as one of the main vehicles to take the country forward, in keeping with the intent and the spirit of the national transformation efforts anchoring the country with the long-term goals.

It was also reported that the Government in preparation for future pandemics and infectious disease outbreaks, construction of fully self-contained permanent quarantine centres with 2,500 beds is in full swing with 98% of civil preparatory works completed, and progress of the pre-engineered building works at various stages. He further reported that the facility will be operational from July 2023 and that a state-of-the-art Royal Centre for Infectious Diseases (RCID) at Gidakom which is expected to be completed during the 13th plan, will be established to build readiness in managing and combating emerging infectious diseases and diseases of pandemic potential.

Further, the Prime Minister submitted that the government, in the remaining period, will ensure that the reforms take root and are completed within the deadlines. Urging each and every Bhutanese people to continue working in the spirit of accountability and solidarity. The Prime Minister informed the House and the people to work together towards a secure developed, and prosperous nation.

After the adjournment of the Joint Sitting, a sitting of the National Assembly was held for rectification and adoption of the resolution of the Eighth Session of the Third Parliament.

His Majesty The Druk Gyalpo will grace the concluding ceremony of the Eighth Session tomorrow, 9th December 2022.

Prime Minister Lyonchhen Dr. Lotay Tshering presented the fourth Annual Report on the State of the Nation including legislative plans, annual plans, and priorities of the Government to the Joint Sitting of the Parliament today as per article 10 (10) of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan.

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