-Local government is an administrative unit of local affairs.
1. Gewog Tshogde
2. Dzongkhag Tshogdu
3. Thromde Tshogde
Importance:
* enable people to participate and contribute meaningfully in the decision making and governing.
*it ensures the opportunity to govern themselves under a democratic system of government.
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| Courtesy: google. |
Gewog Tshogde
-It is the smallest administrative unit in the Local Government.
-established in 1991 by the Fourth Monarch.
-There are 205 Gewogs in Bhutan.
-GT is held once in every four-month (Thrice in a year).
Members:
· Gup (Chairperson)
· Mangmi (Deputy Chairperson)
· Tshogpas
· Yenlag Throm Representative- Thuemi (Throm/Town in the Gewog)
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| Gups of Punakha Dzongkhag with Dasho Dzongdag and Lam Neten. Courtesy: www.punakha.gov.bt |
-The observers in the Gewog Tshogde includes the School Principal, Health, RNR Extension office, etc. in the Gewog as Government representative.
Eligibility
Gup, Mangmi and Tshogpa, etc. should be:
i. Bhutanese Citizen
ii. Should be physically and mentally sound
iii. Should have minimum qualification (able to read and write)
iv. Should not have any criminal record
v. Should not have accused of corruption, etc. (refer text for more criteria)
Tenure of the GT members
*The GT members are elected by the people through secret ballot and serve for 5 years or until the age of 65, whichever is earlier.
Roles and Responsibilities of GT members.
· *Gup- coordinate GT meetings and implement the decisions, act as a link between people in the Gewog and Dzongkhag, proposed a draft agenda, dismiss members in case of violation of code of conduct, nominate and recruit Gewog Clerk (Gedrung), consult Dzongkhag Finance on financial matters, submit a report to GT and DT the progress of the activities and funds.
· *Mangmi- assist Gup in day-to-day administrative works and officiate in the absence of Gup.
· *Tshogpa- hold meetings in Chiwog for submission of the proposal of development plans, report the Chiwog status to the Gup.
Removal of Gewog Tshogde members:
-Removal of any GT member requires a two-thirds majority of all members, if:
* a member has lost the trust and confidence of the people.
* a member is found to be incompetent and negligent in duties.
* a member is found to engage in a harmful act that is detrimental to the peace and harmony of the community and to Tsa Wa Sum.
* All members shall vote for or against the motion through the casting of “Yes” or “No” votes through a secret ballot.
* If the motion is against the Chairperson, The chairperson shall leave the meeting and Mangmi shall chair the meeting.
Powers and Functions of the Gewog Tshogde:
Administrative powers and functions- | Financial Powers- | Regulatory powers: |
· Hold a meeting to discuss and begin preparation of plans. · Identify, prioritize and formulate development activities in the Geowog as per the plans. · Study and review the need for prioritization based on development activities. · Get the approval of the Dzongkhag Tshogdu for the implementation of the development plans in the Gewog. | · Propose and submit Gewog annual budget to Dzongkhag Tshogdu for endorsement. · Review and ratification of accounts of rural the tax shall be done on a periodical basis. · Gup shall provide a report on other collections and expenditure made in the Gewog. | · Make rules and regulations according to the national laws by the GT and implement in the Gewog. · Members should report to the GT Chairperson on violation of the rules and regulations and correct if necessary. · GT shall educate people on the community for general safety. |
Dzongkhag Tshogdu.
-The highest form of local government.
-DT is held once every six months (twice in a year)
-established in 1981:
i. to bring about a decentralized administrative system by devolving greater executive powers from the central government to the Dzongkhags.
ii. to be responsive to people’s needs,
iii. reduce the complexity of governance, and
iv. provide a framework for achieving greater equity among Dzongkhags.
Members of Dzongkhag Tshogdu (DT)
1. Chairperson/ Thrizin (nominated among the Gups)
2. Gups
3. Mangmis
4. Dzongkhag Thromde Representative and Yenla Thromde representative.
DT Observers:
*Dzongda, Drangpoen, Sector Heads, Dzongrab (Ex-officio non-voting member-secretary), Dungpa, etc.
Membership/Eligibility
-all elected members of the Gewog Tshogde are members of the Dzongkhag Tshogdu.
Tenure of the DT members-
*serve for 5 Years or until the age of 65, whichever is earlier.
Chairperson (DT Thrizin) powers and functions:
1. Conduct Dzongkhag Tshogdu meeting according to the DT Chathrim.
2. Issue ordinances (orders) based on the decisions of the DT.
3. Sign and forward the minutes of meetings of the DT as well as maintain a copy.
4. Maintain decorum and invite observers as and when appropriate.
Powers and functions of Dzongkhag Tshogdu
Regulatory Powers and Functions | Administrative powers and functions | Financial powers and functions |
· Make rules and regulations according to the national laws. · Implement the rules and regulations in the Dzongkhag Administration. · Discuss the safety issues of the people in the Dzongkhag. · DT will ensure environmental safety while issuing the permit of mining activities. | · Guide Dzongkhag for effective administration. · provide directives and approve Dzongkhag and Gewog annual plans. · Receive the gewog plans for discussion in DT and submit it to the Planning Commission. · Prioritize the developmental activities during preparation and implementation. | · Prioritize and allocate Gewog and Dzongkhag activities upon the confirmation of budget outlay from the Ministry of Finance. · Reviews and ratifies gewog’s accounts of rural tax and other collections and expenditures. · Review accounts of the Dzongkhag Administration accounts |
Thromde Tshogde (Municipal Corporations)
-Four Thromde: Thimphu, Phuentsholing, Gelephu and Samdrup Jongkhar.
-Thrompoen is the head of the Thromde.
Importance:
· Rapid growth in economic development led to an increase of towns with increasing population.
· Development of towns requires sound planning.
· Discuss the issues related to the townships in terms of roads, water supply, schools, hospitals, communication services, etc.
Relationship between Gewog Tshogde, Dzongkhag Tshogdu and the Thromde Tshogde.
1. Local Government (i.e. GT, DT and TT) in the event of inability to make proper decisions concerning their local areas refer these matters to the National Assembly, which is the highest legislative body for discussion.
2. Submit motions (means ‘plans’) from the GT and DT to the National Assembly.
3. The GT raises issues to be discussed at the National Assembly pertaining to the national concerns.
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