Hydropower Projects in Bhutan are ‘India-tied’ and meant to Service India

If the de facto position as it stands today is anything to indicate, Bhutan is under the 'electricity-colonization' of India. No matter what one may put in, in reality, under the guise of friendship, knowing the geopolitical reality of Bhutan, India for her own interest has manage to squeeze undue benefits from the hydropower cooperation with Bhutan. It's a common sense to simply understand why Bhutan's hydroelectricity is meant to service India.

The billions of ngultrum that are pumped into for construction of hydropower projects in the country are almost all drained off to India as everything is provided by India. The contractors, consultants, professionals, management of projects, technology and products are India-tied and India takes the lion’s share of benefits during the construction stage. There’s little Bhutan could gain during the construction phase.      

If we recall, during the tariff fixation of Tala project, India didn’t budge to give in for a justifiable electricity price & pricing mechanism as it was evident from many rounds of frustrating talks (more than 10 rounds) between the officials of India and Bhutan. India has always played upper hand on deciding electricity tariff as Bhutan has no means to negotiate.   

While some major hydropower projects in India (E.g. Teesta Hydropower Project) are developed in partnership with foreign companies from abroad, all mega hydropower projects in Bhutan is circuitously conditioned to be pure Indian version. In other words, Bhutan has become the place of testing and experimentation of India’s technology and products, while India herself enjoys the advance technology and products from abroad. Bhutan has no autonomy over the business of electricity on her own land; not even in equal terms of a State in India.

Some efforts are being made by the govt. of Bangladesh to partner with Bhutan for development and trade of electricity but to no avail not because Bhutan is not interested but mere fact that it’s under India’s control. At one time, Lyonpo Sangay Ngedup, the then the Prime Minister of Bhutan, had tough time answering to a query by a notable Bangladeshi journalist on why Bhutan cannot cooperate with Bangladesh on electricity. After a momentarily pause and careful thought, he replied, “At the moment we are comfortably arranged with India.” The SAARC Energy Grid proposed by member nations also saw a deadlock with India (Big brother of SAARC) showing no interest for obvious reasons. If SAARC Energy Grid comes through, Bhutan is likely to enjoy the free market price of electricity.      

India is one of the largest importers of crude petroleum and is constantly under the dictation of brazen price hike from the international suppliers from time to time. However, there’s nothing India could do to stop the unmerciful price hike as there’s always takers. On the other hand, India enjoys the luxury of very low electricity tariff for import of electricity from Bhutan. Although there’s provision in the Agreement to revise tariff every after five years, India seem less bothered irrespective of cry from Bhutan. The tariff once fixed is not subject to any adjustment such as inflation and depreciation of value of money. Therefore, Bhutan is not only suffering with low tariff but also suffers from inflation from year to year.   

A simple analysis would show that the annual turnover rate with respect to investment for Tala Hydropower Plant is 21.23% whereas it’s 55.55% in case of Dungsam Cement Plant. Tala Hydroelectric power Plant, constructed at the cost of Nu. 41.26B with an annual generation capacity of 4865 GWh electricity fetches annual gross revenue of about Nu. 8.76B (at tariff rate of Nu. 1.8 per kWh). However, Dungsum Cement Plant constructed at the cost of Nu. 10.8B is projected to earn annual gross revenue of Nu. 6B(Kuensel 24 Dec. ’13).

Therefore, irrespective of what the government says, it makes sense to simply believe that Bhutan’s electricity is under the strict control of India. Despite all these realities, the choice of government isn’t bad after all as something is better than nothing. The effort of the govt. should be to break away from iron grip of India diplomatically and in a holistic way. 

The Abrupt Cessation of JYT’s Celebrated Career is a Closed Book to the Nation

Barely after four months of JYT’s mysterious exit from Members of Parliament, it’s yet another mystery added to the utter astonishment of many supporters with JYT’s stepping down as the president of DPT. This is apposite from the context of ensuing events unfolded following General Election 2013. As some believe, the possibility of his resignation under duress cannot be ruled out. Nevertheless, it’s a subject of deep contemplation though. But for whatever reasons, it’s not the right time to resign at this point of time.

Such a distinguished leader, whose popularity and experience of governance is at peak, whose leadership is needed for a young and immature democracy, it’s saddening to see him out of public service prematurely. He has been the key player (apart from HM K4) in making Bhutan one of the most admired and a peaceful nation in the world at this time of age. I always believe that Bhutan has been blessed with leader like him and I am of the view that we may not get good leader as JYT in years to come.

There’s a gross misconception to construe JYT’s age as old enough for retirement as perceived by many. By Indian standard, the average age of politician is around 80. JYT’s age is just 61years which is a prime age for leaders. Retirement age for CEOs of the many notable companies normally have age limit around 75. His leadership as president of DPT and prime minister under democratic setup is just five years old and to think of ‘change’ at this point of time is in fact out of context. Some people are paranoid of this elusive catchword ‘Change’ without understanding what it really means as if Bhutan suffers from adversity. Are we looking for replacement of unprecedented peace and prosperity we are enjoying?

DPT under the leadership of JYT has emerged as a party who practices clean democracy, upholds principle of equity and justices, and takes hard decisions for the national interest at the risk of being unpopular in the eyes of voters. DPT is an embodiment of a group of society who truly believes in independence and clean democracy. However, without the influence of JYT, some people are of view if DPT could ever maintain its original ambience. Will DPT stand on its foot without excessively stooping too low to undue external influences?  

There’re people who think otherwise; JYT’s exit would allow DPT to be more independent and be more robust in their cause for clean democracy. This is because there’s a general reading that JYT wouldn’t let his Party to exercise its rights to the full extent to negotiate for any actus reus that comes along its way.

What has been explained and made official are not sufficient enough to justify his subsequent resignations. Whether the resignation is by the own free choice of JYT or under duress or under certain compelling situation, it’s a matter of concern for the country to have missed one of the most capable leaders in history. DPT with the new set of leaders has to prove and make their presence felt through over time because people take time to understand and assimilate. The abrupt ending of JYT's celebrated career is a mystery and a potential hypothesis that would explain how democracy flourished in Bhutan.

JYT’s Mysterious Exit - A puzzle left for the future contemporaries to unriddle

Ex-Prime Minister Jigme Yozer Thinley was unquestionably at ease as if he had already known the outcome of election when the election result was announced that revealed the defeat of DPT in the General Election by PDP. As reported by a media, JYT was kind enough to congratulate current Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay through SMS immediately after the result was out after a failed attempt to connect him over phone, which by and large is unlikely given the circumstance. His post election address to the nation also reflects how honorable JYT was composed and determined to serve the nation in spite losing the General Election unfairly.  He said that DPT has set exemplary precedent as first ruling government and that DPT as Opposition will again set the benchmark how an Opposition should be. “I’m not sad from the loss, because my responsibility as always is to keep myself and my people strong to strengthen our democracy,” a newspaper quoted him as saying. There was no cloud of doubt that JYT will resign at that point of time.

The DPT’s post election meet convened amongst supporters, members and party workers from across the country at Thimphu on 15^th July, 2013 culminated into strong 15 points election petition. The meeting that dragged on for two days saw people express dissatisfaction in strongest term on the ‘unfair election.’ “People are sad not with loss. People are disheartened with the unfair means used that are in contravention with laws,” a party worker was quoted as saying.

As reported in the Kuensel issue of 20th July, 2013, of the 15 issues, some of the main ones included politicisation, or involvement of officials within His Majesty’s secretariat and the timing of their granting of kidus, in terms of census and land to people. The PDP claiming itself to be a party of the King and some of its candidates claiming to have joined the party following the King’s command was also among the issues.

The other issues included as per Kuensel are; Allegations of the BCCI president telling people that PDP was established to protect the institution; PDP’s pledges to give people census, land and luring armed forces, which were royal prerogatives; the issue of disallowing representatives, or party appointed observers at the closing of electronic voting machines (EVM) at numerous polling stations across the country; complaints of postal ballots that were sent on behalf of students and spouses and family members of the armed forces; Involvement of military officials, especially in relation to postal ballots, their use of coercion, forgery and involvement of retired military officials in the electoral process; involvement of local government officials in persuading voters by campaigning openly and calling meetings; involvement of interim government advisor like Dasho Karma Ura, a civil servant who was supposed to remain apolitical and facilitate free and fair election taking sides; Dragging in country’s foreign policy, particularly that of Indo-Bhutan relations and how the DPT government strained it.

As demanded by the people, DPT as a representative of about 45% voter population made a decent move to simply report the political wrong-doings to be addressed so that they do not occur in future which in fact may protect the interest of democracy in Bhutan. It was declared that DPT’s 15 elected members would not assume the role of Opposition until the 15 points petitions were addressed. “It’s in deed in your hands to decide whether we assume the role of the opposition,” party president, JYT declared to the supporters and members.

Soon after the DPT’s 20 member representatives received audience with His Majesty the King on 21st July, 2013, DPT had decided to assume the role of Opposition in its executive meeting conducted on the same day. A newspaper described; ‘10 party workers including an elected candidate, looking rather dismal, conveyed the news.’ Party coordinator Dago Tshering was quoted as saying that His Majesty had assured them that “he’d look into the matter and instruct Election Commission of Bhutan accordingly.” This has been the last reported update on the 15-points grievances.

To the utter shock of nation, Hon’ble JYT had put in his resignation on July 31 even before the inauguration of the new parliament. It was indeed highly unusual/unexpected move by a person of such caliber. The abrupt ceasing of his celebrated career before time in such a strange way sounds unwarranted. ‘To give chance to the aspiring young politicians,’ was the official reason stated for his resignation. The Bhutan’s first Prime Minister, whose services to the nation  is immeasurable, whose leadership has earn acclamation from amongst the world leaders and whose leadership scares even mighty India has finally exited from active politics under mysterious circumstance. 

Different accounts of inconclusive stories have been making rounds as to how and why JYT resigned. The truth can be revealed only with time. It’s thus the puzzle left for the future generation to crack and unveiled the mystery in the years to come.

Plea to the Government to Display Sacred Relics at Phuentsholing

People of Bhutan are highly indebted to the government for bringing in the 50 sacred relics from India. It’s a lifetime opportunity for the devotees to see such rare and sacred relics. I am sure people are eagerly waiting for the events and blessings. It’s generous on the part of coordinators to display the relics not only in Thimphu but also other places in Bhutan.

For the western sector, the display will be only at Thimphu. This means, people of Samtse, one of the most populated Dzongkhag and Phuentsholing, the second largest populous town in Bhutan have to travel to Thimphu. With this arrangement, most people will not be able to avail the opportunity because of the time and money factors. Only few could make the trip to Thimphu and majority will not be benefited.       

Phuentsholing has the population of about 30,000 and it’ll be of great help to these people if the sacred relics are displayed here at Phuentsholing. By majority rule and if the intent of the coordinators is to reach majority of population, Phuentsholing definitely deserves the opportunity to have the relics displayed here. Besides, it'll be a huge blessings for the town as a whole.    

Phuentsholing was deprived of such similar opportunity in the past. This time too, there’s no plan to display the relics here. As it's known, during any religious functions, it used to attract huge devotees.

Therefore, for the greater benefit of majority of people, I on behalf of residents of Phuentsholing earnestly request the concerned authorities to kindly arrange to display the relics here at Phuentsholing. It’ll be also of great help to the people of Samtse as they don’t have to travel to Thimphu for the blessings. My plea to the concerned authorities, please!

Opposition Should Maintain Strict Vigil on the PDP's Governance.

Among the cabinet, not even a single member had served at secretary level in their pass jobs forget about ministerial level. The notion that the fresh leaders would bring fresh thinking as some media has put in appears to be bit overstated. If what has transpired from the First session of the Second Parliament is anything to indicate, we have reason to worry. PDP government put on a poor show on every front. For governance, there’s no room for trial and error.  

In particular, the mechanism devised by PDP for the revival of rupee situation through controversial 5B ‘Economic Stimulus Plan’ seems to be absurd. By the way, this title as some economists say is not appropriate in economic terms given the appreciated economic growth happening in the country. Likewise, as pointed out by prominent Opposition member, Wangdi Norbu, there’re many areas where government is weak at.

PDP doesn’t seem to mind playing with the egos at the cost of national interest. What I am talking about is the PDP’s move to amend NA Act. The ground for amendment, as proudly announced by PDP, is DPT’s president’s resignation. The cost of re-election has been indicated as grievous concern. This one man’s resignation should not be construed as sufficient ground for amendment. Why honorable JYT resigned is anybody’s guess. Only history will be able to tell the truth. At best, it should have left as ‘exceptional case.’ In essence, it is highly unlikely that an elected MP would resign under ordinary circumstances. If the restriction is to be imposed, it’s only going to complicate the process and compromise the individual rights under a democratic setup.         

In terms of performance at the NA, MPs of ruling government are found to be way below the expectation. They conduct themselves to prove far from professional and intelligent members. Some members started to give discourse on what a pledge means at the parliament in a desperate attempt to avert embarrassments. It is apparent that most of the PDP’s 100 days pledges are bound to be left on paper. With such trend, the ‘change’ is inevitable. People just have to wait and see the events unfolded in due course of time.   

On the other hand, from the Opposition side, what we see is only few MPs making their efforts. Most of the prominent members are found keeping their mouth shut. Opposition being the most knowledgeable and experienced, there’s great scope for the government to learn from them which I believe will trickled down to benefit the people. Opposition is the only hope of the people to fight with the government on their behalf. I am sure DPT’s seasoned members have many wisdoms and critical issues that warrant discussions for the interest of the nation but this is not happening at the parliament.

To expect 100% perfection is bit of a too much to ask but what the general public would love to see is that PDP fulfill most of its pledges. The most governing factor that leads PDP win the election is its pledges. Therefore, if PDP keeps on making excuses with its pledges, the frustration of people will only going to grow. Now let’s not forget that in Bhutan we don’t have strike system to negotiate with the government to make it act in the way it deemed appropriate. In absence of such mechanism, at best, it’ll be good to rely on strong Opposition to take care of the people’s frustration and dissatisfaction with the government.

People cannot trust the government for obvious reasons not by design but by default. It should be the responsible of Opposition to keep strict vigil on the government and report the flaws, inform and update the nation through well strategized forums. DPT should start official blogging on the issues related to government activities, policies, actions etc. especially that warrants people’s attention and inputs preferably through social media such as facebook/blog or any other relevant social media. What has been opposed and discussed at the NA are limited in scope and are not enough to make the government listen and act. Such verbal opposition at the NA is also not readily accessible to many citizens. What we need is written account of any issues that DPT thinks is not ok with the government. Besides, it will not only serve as future reference but also help DPT in keeping touch with the people.

For the greater cause of good, DPT should earnestly keep watchful eyes on PDP's governance and start official blogging to keep the nation informed on state of the nation. 

Some Suggestions for Tenancy Act

It’s a noble initiative on the part of the government to table the Tenancy Act for amendment as it concerns with almost half the population in the country. Tenancy Act enacted in 2004 has failed to serve the intended purpose for various reasons. Unless, some concrete measures or shortfalls are addressed adequately, even if the Act is amended, it may not serve the much needed remediation. It is learned that the main reason for failure is on the implementation part. However, there are also other grounds which require equal attention for the successful implementation of Tenancy Act.

Being a tenant myself for many years, I feel that the following issues are required to be addressed for effective implementation of Tenancy Act;     

1.  Among the beneficiaries of Tenancy Act, people living in towns constitute the major part. It is imperative that focus must be given in the context urban population. With little additional manpower, the existing Thromdeys or municipal offices should able take the responsibility of effective implementation. A dispute settlement body should also be constituted amongst the officers of a municipal office. Effective mechanism to implement and the system of check and balance should also be in place.

2.  Although the cardinal rule of demand & supply should prevail in a market, the rental business should not be left to its own tune like other commodities as it matters with the basic necessities and welfare of the people. When the supplies outstrip demands, the house rents are automatically checked. But such situation is highly unlikely to take place in general looking at the scenario and trends. While it is understandable that owners need to pay to the bank for the loans they have availed to built buildings, it’s in most cases the owners are overtaken by greed to have more. The desire to liquidate loans in a short period of time at the cost of underprivileged tenants has also been a common practice. As there’s no dearth of tenant (not because one can pay but out of no choice), owners hike rents as and when they wishes. Certain frame work of guidelines should be drawn to avoid unreasonable hike of rent by the owners at their whims.      

3.  In most cases, it’s the owners who would choose not to draw agreements with tenants for some obvious reasons. A tenant cannot ask the owner for entering into an agreement as it would take to mean aggression or imply challenging the owner. Therefore, a system should be developed wherein the owners should be responsible for drawing agreement with tenants. This can be regulated by the concerned municipal offices. A mandatory record of copy of tenancy agreements should also be maintained at the municipal offices. Certain penalties should be levied who fail to draw the agreements.

4.  The existing Tenancy Act requires specifying duration of a rental agreement. This I think should be done away with as this condition would give the owners the liberty to evict the existing tenant and hike the rent at his whims when next tenant is entered. Besides, such condition would also pose difficulty to the tenant as he would have to find flat elsewhere after the expiry of agreement, which, in most cases is not easy to get one.  

5.  The termination of agreement or eviction should be effected only on conditions when a tenant is transferred; when tenant misbehave or pose threat to the neighbors; when the owner wanted to take the flat for his own use; when the tenant did not pay the rent on time; and on other such similar conditions.

6.  Under no circumstance except as mentioned above should the tenant subject to eviction by owners. This is important as most tenants deprive of secure and peaceful home stay due to harassment and threat of eviction by owners for no apparent reasons.

7.  In some places, owners give the responsibilities of renting a building to a caretaker. The caretaker, at his whims, fixes the rent abnormally high and takes the advantage at the mercy of tenant. This duplication of renting and re-renting should be stopped.   

8.  For the convenience of the owners and for those who are looking for house, it’s also desirable to have a centralized information system where an owner can advertise any vacant flats and where tenant can find a flat easily. Preferably a website dedicated for this cause should be launched by the concerned offices. This should be for free of costs as it may not attract the owners to come forth for advertisement.

9.  I have witnessed an incident where a tenant was forced to vacate the flat after she talked against an owner on the certain amount of fee the owners asked the tenant to pay. The tenant had no option but to vacate. Apart from rent, owners should not collect any forms of fees or contribution. Some owners are found collecting inflated water & electric bills, other fees for miscellaneous services such as cleaning of building etc. To curb such ill practices, certain penalty should also be provisioned.

10.With the present circumstance, a tenant cannot demand the owner to rectify certain defects in a rented apartment. It’s less bothered by owners irrespective what needs to be maintained in a flat. The tenant should be empowered with certain rights to decent living conditions such as proper maintenance of house and other services.

11.To cut the expenditure, most owners do not plan the sanitary and water supply scheme properly. As a result, the tenant faces the difficulty of water shortage due to poor planning and other associated   problems. The municipal offices should ensure that such problems are addressed adequately.          

For some, Tenancy Act may not make difference but most people who are at the lowest denominator in terms of financial income which in fact constitutes the major part of tenant population would be greatly benefited. Therefore, it’s my hope that the present government’s initiation of amendment of Tenancy Act would help many innocent people to alleviate their sufferings because of skyrocketing house rent and harassment from owners.

PDP’s Austerity Measures - A source of threat to the Nation?

Going by the ‘initial runs’ of the PDP government, it has posed itself to earn the doubt of incompetency in the minds of the people. Within the two months of governance, all PDP could do is remove Pedestrian Day at the First ever cabinet meeting which in essence should have left above politics; dented the nation’s image and stature with PM and his full cabinet stooping too low (in reception) to Indian ambassador on its 1^st Official working day (which some say could be first case in the world); snubbed the pledge of ‘PM taking the additional charge of a minister’s post’ as promised during election campaign; and took on the ‘austerity measures’ designed to blindfold the general public.

PDP’s cabinet went on to cast spell on the people perhaps to cushion the guilt of wrongdoings and their incompetence through their well devised ‘austerity measures.’ Under this slogan, the cabinet has decided to forgo with entitled new duty vehicles for the time being, take no pay hike for the ministers and executed other ancillary cost cutting measures. It may help lessen the pressure to the government exchequer by saving few hundred thousand but it is definitely not significant at national level and does not warrant such move at this point of time. From the façade, this austerity measures adopted by the government may appear appealing to the most common people’s eyes but if one contemplates, it’s not as wholesome as it appears. In fact it is an obstacle to a vibrant democracy.

There was no need for such action in the first place as the spending on ministerial cabinet in Bhutan could be one of the least in the world. In fact, it could be less than the expenditure incurred for a small organization. A grade 6 equivalent employee (non national) in a government Project earns about Nu. 150,000 per month. For a ministerial post, it deserves much higher than this. Of course there are people who always squabble over the remuneration of ministers & MPs. It will be there so long as democracy exists but that does not mean government should refrain from hiking the pay of cabinet or annul their benefits.  

One of the main proven reasons of corruption worldwide is meagre remuneration. The PDP’s ‘cost cutting measures’ has in fact exposed the members to more possible corruption. With authority and power in their disposal, it is just a matter switching to corrupt mode. This is also pertinent given the fact that MPs have no future as there’s no security for their livelihood after the termination of a term. Men are highly irrational and are susceptible to change at any given point of time in a given circumstance. If ministers are not remunerated adequately, the nation would suffer in some ways.   

The Ministerial posts are a platform where actors (politicians) come, display and go. Irrespective of who comes to power, the posts will remain forever. It’s in the interest of the nation to make this platform attractive so that good leaders would come. Therefore the PDP’s cost cutting measures would also mean manipulating the stature of platform (ministerial posts) which would thwart the aspiring politicians in future. With such circumstance, the capable leaders who are eying on politics may not turn up to take the posts. It will be than those people with money who are hungry for power would take the platform which I believe is not desirable for a vibrant democracy.  

As some believe, PDP’s austerity measures have the potential to incur more indirect costs to the nation in various forms than what has declared as savings.            

      

Though the country faces rupee crunch which in essence is the part and parcel of economic growth, the PDP’s generalization of economic crisis and reason for austerity measure is out of context. Bhutan never suffers from economic downturn to the extent of taking such measures which in fact involved only about 0.5million saving per month. It’s like when the whole business is about a million ngultrum deal, so much noise is made for few Chhetrum which by virtue of value does not warrant devotion of time and effort. Therefore, the so called austerity measures are nothing but propaganda designed to play with the sentiments of the people.