The Joint Sitting of Parliament today continued its deliberation on the Review Report on the Performance Audit of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities and services in government schools under Thimphu Thromde, presented by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in accordance with Article 25(6) of the Constitution.

The House continued its deliberations on the two recommendations made by the Committee to Initiate a national WASH flagship program for all schools in Bhutan and Enhance WASH support and coordination and on the implementation of past resolutions.

During the deliberation the House endorsed the recommendation presented by the Committee and directed the Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD), Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (MoENR), Ministry of Health (MoH), and Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport (MoIT) to jointly form a Committee to assess and review the status of school WASH facilities, with particular focus on compliance with national standards and inclusiveness and submit report to the House during the Winter Session.

The House also deliberated on the follow-up status of the 11 resolutions adopted during the Second Session of the Fourth Parliament. While endorsing all the resolutions, the House directed that a review report on Resolution 3, concerning the efficiency of online regulatory portals, be presented during the Winter Session. Resolution 5 was accordingly removed from the list of resolutions. Further, upon a recommendation from the Member from Monggar constituency, the House endorsed amendments to Resolution 6, directing MoENR and SMCL to jointly conduct comprehensive assessments on air, water, dust pollution, and related structural and crop damages, and to submit a review report during the Winter Session. With regard to Resolution 7, the House emphasized the importance of developing a long-term mining extension plan with a comprehensive land acquisition and resettlement strategy, and directed MoENR to present a progress review report during the Winter Session.

The House endorsed the Review Report by PAC on Performance Audit Report with two-thirds majority.