20th July 2016, Gasa:
9th DT is underway to discuss many important matters including the endorsement of the 2016/17 budget. This year’s budget is special as it includes the maiden Dzongkhag development grant (DDG) and Human resource development budget. So far one of the major shortcomings in our decentralization policy pursuit was the serious lack of financial power decentralization to the local government. So DDG is another (after Gewog Development Grant was initiated 3 years ago) landmark initiative of the Government in strengthening the decentralization policy as desired by His Majesty. Strengthening of decentralization policy by empowering people, by building people’s capacity thereby making people accountable and finally self reliant are some priorities of His Majesty (excerpts from HM’s address to Dzongdas during Royal audience on 29th April 2016) .
This is a special DT session as requested and proposed by Dzongkhag administration and also the last DT session for the incumbent DT members before the next local government elections due in August 2016.