Lhengye Zhungtshog (The Executive Body)

Central Administration

The Roles and Responsibilities of the Executive branch in Bhutan is vested in the Lhengye Zhungtshog. They are the implementing body, to implement the laws formulated by the Legislative body.

***Members of the Lhengye Zhungtshog:

• Prime Minister:-

-S/he is the Head of the Government.

- select and appoint ministers and gives them portfolios.

-recommends the dismissal of ministers who does not comply with their responsibilities.

-communicates with the Druk Gyalpo on all decisions made by the cabinet relating to the administration and proposals for legislation.

-S/he is the Chief Spokesperson of the government in the Parliament.

-represents Bhutan in relation with the other nations of the world.

Ministers and Ministries:

1. Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA)- Lyonpo Ugyen Dorji

The provision of professional guidance on matters relating to policy, training human resources, and infrastructural development in the area of culture, local governance, disaster management, immigration, and civil registration services. Develop, review, and revise policies, pertaining to cultural preservation, immigration services, civil registration, and census services, law and order, local governance and disaster management. Reducing crime and maintaining law and order. Ensure efficient administration of all the Dzongkhags. Coordinate and monitor cross-sectoral issues related to immigration, local governance, culture, disaster management, law and order, and control and manage immigration.

2. Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD)- Lyonpo  Jai Bir Rai

The Ministry is responsible for formulating policies related to educational needs of the population. It liaises with the Royal University of Bhutan on matters pertaining to policies of higher education. The Ministry reviews and enhances the ‘value’ content in the curriculum and promotes English as the medium of instructions for subjects that are not necessary to be taught in Dzongkha. It is also responsible for including the Constitution in the syllabi of the schools. It encourages more private schools.

3. Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MoAL)- Lyonpo Yeshey Penjor

The Ministry is responsible for policy development with regard to the agriculture and Livestock. It provides agricultural extension services to the public and carries out research in agriculture and livestock. It is responsible for the formulation of agricultural and livestock policies and plans.  It helps to enhance sustainable rural livelihood, promote sustainable utilization of arable agriculture and pasture land resources, and enhance food security.

4. Ministry of Finance (MoF)- Lyonpo Namgay Tshering

The Ministry addresses macroeconomic issues and develops longer-term development policies and strategies for the country. It formulates the fiscal policy, budgeting, and keeping of accounts of government revenue, taxes, and expenditures. It enhances the coverage of government assets inventory to include movable and immovable property. The Ministry is also responsible for framing clear guidelines for the selection of projects for external loan financing.

5. Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade (MoFAET)- Lyonpo Dr. Tandin Dorji

The Ministry is responsible for enhancing the country’s interactions with other countries and expanding diplomatic missions (foreign relations). It conducts foreign relations and economic and technical cooperation with friendly countries and international bodies.

6. Ministry of Health (MoH)- Lyonpo Dechen Wangmo

The Ministry is responsible for providing health services to the public. It enhances diagnostic services for early and correct detection of diseases for effective treatment and minimizes adverse economic and avoidable tragedies. It also formulate plans and policies to prevent, control, eliminate and eradicate diseases, provide quality healthcare services in traditional and modern medicines, and rehabilitate and promote healthy living.

7. Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (MoENR)- Lyonpo Loknath Sharma

The Ministry is responsible for the development of plans and policies regarding natural resources in the country such as hydropower, the environment, forest resources management, watershed management, and land use (geology and mines).

8. Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment (MoICE)- Lyonpo Karma Dorji

The Ministry is responsible for enhancing the country's socioeconomic development through employment promotion, human resources planning, and development for the corporate bodies and private sectors. The Ministry distributes employment opportunities available in corporations and private sectors to job seekers. Develop plans and policies with regard to trade, tourism and industries.

9. Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport (MoIT)- Lyonpo Dorji Tshering.

The Ministry formulate and review policies, legislations, and standards pertaining to Human settlement planning & development, Surface & Air Transport, Construction, Infrastructure Development, Housing, and Postal services, stimulate and manage growth for the sustainable transport and construction industry, prepare and review spatial plans, and infrastructure master plans (transport, wastewater, water supply, stormwater, solid waste, and utilities), develop quality, cost-effective, and sustainable infrastructure through innovation and technology, ensure safe drinking water & clean sanitation, and a reliable supply of irrigation water, promote affordable housing, provide safe, efficient, reliable, and affordable surface and air transport services, provide guidance in urban governance and municipal finance, represent in regional and international forums for transport, construction, human settlement, and postal and undertake research on transport, construction, technology, etc.

Image Courtesy: www.cabinet.gov.bt

Functions of Lhengye Zhungtshog

1. Administrative Function: Lhengye Zhungtshog promote an efficient administration according to the democratic values and principles enshrined in the Constitution of Bhutan. The Executive divide the work among the various Ministries and Departments under the leadership of an individual Minister.

2. Policy Formulation: Lhengye Zhungtshog Plans and coordinates government policies and implements them.

3.Financial Function: Lhengye Zhugntshog prepares the budget and the Finance Minister presents it to the Parliament for endorsement.

4. Domestic and Foreign Policy: Lhengye Zhungtsho represent the Kingdom at home and abroad.