Bhutan Parliament Holds 1st Legislative Public Hearing after 2008

Guwahati, January 12, 2020:

Bhutan’s Parliament conducted its first-ever legislative public hearing after 2008. The hearing was on a mine-related Bill and according to reports, this was the first public hearing post the South Asian nation's transition from absolute monarchy to constitutional monarchy in 2008.

With thirteen members from the National Assembly’s Economic and Finance Committee, the hearing was conducted on Friday to review the Mines and Minerals Bill 2020.

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During the hearing, all stakeholders from relevant sectors in the mining industry and local and government representatives were questioned. Reportedly, the hearing will be tabled for discussion at the upcoming parliament session.

Claiming that mining was not contributing much to the country and its people, Parliament member Dorji Wangdi said that mining only profits the promoters who are already rich.

As per the Department of Revenue and Custom's data, the country has around 38 mining companies out of which only 18 of them pay taxes constituting 3 per cent of the country's GDP.

Around $10.4 million tax was paid in 2016-2017 and $21.1 million in 2017-2018 by the 18 companies.

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