It was Tax, when Ministry of Finance announced that the Tax for all kinds of vehicle be increased by a substantial amount. This worried the Truckers, the public transporters and the taxi owners. They had to pay more to buy and this tax would finally come to the poorest of poor in the
country.
Then came the hike in the fuel and service tax. Now it is about the price for water and electricity. This has led the price of grocery to increased by a large amount.
Few days back, PM in his statement to the Nation through National Assembly, stated that we should be content with what we have and should not be too materialistic.
The reason government gives:
1. Increase in vehicle Tax: To many cars, traffic jams, environmental hazards. But does the government ever realizes how many cars are there in some Dzongkhags like Lhuentse or Pema Gatshel, Dagana. Will the people from these places who are yet to feel the impact of development with such control mechanisms from the government.
2. Fuel Price Hike: It is not in the control of Royal Government of Bhutan, because it was increased in India.
3. Water price: It is too expensive for the government to maintain continuous supply of water at the current rate
4. Electricity Price: Bhutan is consuming a lot of electricity and incurred loss to BPC (Government Revenue)
5.PM's statement: Did PM understand the realities what is happening to many residing in a town like Thimphu where everything increased but not the pay. Does he or the MPs understand the concept of Equity and Justice in this era.
It now looks that every one, the MPs, the Ministers are only looking at Thimphu and Phuentsholing.
May be they have forgotten what they have promised, they promised to bring electricity and road to every geog. But if the cost of the vehicle is increased like this, can these road will ever benefit the people living there.
It is in fact quite sad that the government has not done anything as an immediate measure where more than 60 students of Medrelgang Middle secondary lost their belongings to the fire where as when one of the MPs was hit by an arrow, the government was able to call Helicopter. We should not forget the incident that occurred in Chhukha where six lives were lost.
It was His Majesty the King, who sent his Zimpon and a team to Medrelgang the very day the student lost their belongings, provided them with many things ranging from Geometry Box to other necessary items. Long Live His Majesty the King, You are the true leader, who does not promise to do but does more than what you would promise.
In this, I am not trying to offend any political party or any one, but trying to bring the realities of the common citizens and their needs. The wise wisdom, His Majesty the Fourth King has visioned will only be realized if the government could think about Bhutan, not about their pay nor about few urban areas when it come to decision like vehicle Tax, electricity price. In fact, Bhutan should be getting free electricity considering the amount of energy Bhutan generates.
Many critics would still say that these charges are too high for Bhutan.
