The National Assembly yesterday endorsed the Priority Development Fund (PDF), which in essence is only a change in name. PDF is not much different from the controversial Constituency Development Grant (CDG) that, not long ago, was forced to discontinue for many reasons.
While the NA agenda categorically mentioned deliberations on CDG, it came out as a priority fund. There was not much opposition to PDF except not targeting the block grant to allocate funds for constituencies. The National Assembly may have passed it, but the ball is in the government’s court. The finance minister said that the ministry would explore the possibility of the fund from the next fiscal year.
The proposal, with guidelines, will be put up to the winter session of the Parliament.
Although Parliament deliberations are not followed as much as it used to be in the past, allocating budget to constituencies or Members of Parliament, whatever it is called, is a sensitive matter. CDG is not a new idea. It is a budget allocation mechanism that channels a certain portion of the national budget to the constituencies to finance ad hoc and immediate projects.
It was, notwithstanding the controversy, implemented before and stopped because of the opposition and others calling it a political tool. It was deemed unconstitutional with the Election Commission of Bhutan writing to Parliament, warning about the consequences.
The current Prime Minister was the strongest opponent and the most vocal when the first government approved the CDG. He not only called it unconstitutional, but also drew the attention of the Election Commission of Bhutan on how it was breaching election rules.
Members are recommending strict guidelines for allocation, utilisation, monitoring, and evaluation of activities, and reporting of implementation progress. Even with clearly defined areas where the Fund should be used, it is not likely to sail through easily.
Political parties outside Parliament are keeping a close eye on the developments. They know the ruling and the opposition parties in Parliament will benefit from the Fund. It could, like members of the opposition party in the past said, create an uneven playing field for political parties.
Politically, it is unfair, especially, when a vast majority of the voters vote on what political parties pledge and deliver.
CDG or the Priority Development Fund will enable elected members, ruling or opposition, to fulfill their pledges. It may be good for the voter, but a threat to democracy. CDG was discontinued because it was seen as an instrument that could breed both monetary and political corruption and could be used to win future elections. Apart from the change in name, the proposed fund is not different.
CDG or PDF is like one of the parliamentarians said, Tari toktse seru, judo chag ra en (both the spade and axe, though different in name, are cast out of iron).
