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Social reforms
ü The ceiling of land ownership was brought down to maximum of 30 acres
ü Surplus (extra) land was redistributed to the landless people.
ü Reduced the land taxes (Longthrel (Wet Tax) was replaced by Kamthrel (dry tax, collected in cash).
ü Exempted the land taxes for the poorer sections of the population
ü Abolished the practice of slavery and serfdom. (Slaves were relocated to
Constitutional reforms:
With the constitutional reforms, the Third Monarch transformed the feudal absolute monarchy into a modern and enlightened one.
1. Tshogdu (National Assembly)
Characteristics:-
-It is the highest legislative body, act as advisory body to the executive and discuss all matters of national importance.
-Established in 1953.
-initially consisted of 130 members and later increased 150 in 1968.
-Tshogdu convened twice in a year.
-decision have to be approved by the National Assembly with two-third ( 2/3rd ) majority with endorsement by the king but later in 1968, the Third King approved the decision of Tshogdu as final.
-the members served for Three years and the Speaker was appointed from among the members.
2. Lodroe Tshogde (Royal Advisory Council)
Characteristics:-
-Established in 1963 but formally constituted in 1965.
-It acted as advisory body to the King and, as a link between legislative and executive branch of the government. The body ensures the resolution of the Tshogdu is implemented in the country.
-headed by Kalyon (Executive Minister) which was appointed by the King, it had nine members.
-members tenure was of Five years.
3. Lhengye Zhungtshog (Council of Ministers or Cabinet)
Characteristics:-
-established in 1968
-highest executive body of the government as well as highest level of policy formulation and implementing body.
-members included His Majesty’s Representative, Lodroe Tshogde members and Cabinet Ministers.
Judicial System
Jigme Dorji Wangchuk introduced several reforms in terms of dispensing justice to the people.
i. Judiciary was separated from the executive in 1968 with the establishment of High Court in Thimphu.
ii. Established District Courts with Thrimpoen (Judges) by 1969 to dispense justice to the people in the Dzongkhags.
iii. The legal code (laws codified during Zhabdrung) was revised in 1957 and passed in National Assembly in 1968 which was mostly revised based on modern lines.
Administrative and other Reforms
The administrative system grew larger and more defined during the Third King.
*Central Government (Central Administration)
i. Introduction and the creation of Departments (eg. Development Wings, Department of Manpower, etc.) and Ministries (Five Ministries were formed in the initial period). Ministers were appointed for each Ministries with respective responsibilities in different sectors. Ministers became the members of Lhengye Zhungtshog.
**District Administration (Local Government)
The king brought further reforms in the local government in order to carry government plans and policies efficiently through:
i. Formation of Districts and Drungkhags (13 Districts and two Sub-divisional Offices) by 1969.
ii. The title of Dzongpoen was changed to Dzongdag (District Administrator).
iii. The Dzongkhags were placed under Home Ministry.
iv. Judiciary power of the Dzongdag was transferred to District Thrimpoens.
Police and Army (reforms)
His Majesty started organizing army in the country by 1955, moving away from the ancient Pazap (voluntary militia) system into modern military force.
i. First batch of army officers sent to India for training returned to Bhutan and commissioned in 1956.
ii. In 1962, Indian Military Academy was established at Haa to provide training facilities.
iii. In 1965, Headquarters of Royal Bhutan Army (RBA) was established at Lungtenphu and formed new group of forces called Royal Bodygaurd (RBG).
iv. In 1965, with the establishment of first police academy at Jigmeling (Gelegphu), Royal Bhutan Police (RBP) was setup.
v. Invented nomenclature(naming) for ranks; coined new words and phrases for giving military commands; designed insignia for ranks, badges and colour with appropriate words and phrases derived from ancient literature and tantric designs.
Culture and Tradition
His Majesty in preserving the rich cultural heritage had brought reforms in the country.
i. Schools were established to promote traditional painting, dancing, singing and sculpture with the new Rigney School at Simtokha in 1961.
ii. National Museum was founded in Paro Ta Dzong to promote Bhutan’s culture and tradition.
iii. Sufficient books were published both in Choekye and Dzongkha.
Introduction of Written Dzongkha Language
Dzongkha language did not have a proper scripts and was only used a spoken language. Choekye was mostly used in official correspondences and documents. Introducing and development of Dzongkha scripts was one of the important among the others as this was one of the unifying factor for the country. Dzongkha scripts were introduced with the help of some eminent teachers (such as Lam Nado).
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