As I traveled for almost two weeks meeting with the newly elected local government leaders of Thimphu, Paro, Haa, Wangdue, Punakha, Gasa, Tsirang, Dagana,
Samtse and Chhukha to orient them on the Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substance and Substance Abuse Act 2005 and Tobacco Control Act of Bhutan 2011 and related issues, I have been greeted well by these leaders and Geog Administrative Officers (GAOs).
Samtse and Chhukha to orient them on the Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substance and Substance Abuse Act 2005 and Tobacco Control Act of Bhutan 2011 and related issues, I have been greeted well by these leaders and Geog Administrative Officers (GAOs).
Over the weeks, I have given with lots of insights and impacts of these laws. On the drugs, merely any queries were there. But on the tobacco control act, there were numerous questions and queries. Some of the questions the local leaders and the GAOs raised were:
- 1. Did any of the parliamentarians consult the general public on these issues since the draft bill remained there for almost two years?
- 2. There are talks on the amendment of the Tobacco Control Act. Did any of the MPs ask the implementing agencies on this?
- 3. Few raised that should the parliament amend the Act just because few elite and urban dwellers raised some issues on the forums? What about the majority of the people living in the rural areas? Aren’t their opinions are important?
- 4. Some MPs are seen smoking, Are they checked whether they possess any receipt or not? If checked, who checks them?
- 5. In the olden times, after the parliament session is concluded, the representatives come and brief the resolutions of the outcome, but not these days. Why is it?
These were some of the major opinions raised by the local leaders and GAOs as the democracy matures along.
Questions 2 and 4 seem to me like you could answer. So what is your take on these?
ReplyDeleteMy question is, what is the intention behind your tours and talking to LG leader about tobacco law?