In today's Question Hour for Ministries in Group B, five questions were tabled for oral responses and two for written responses for Ministers in Group B. Three Oral Questions were addressed to the Minister for Agriculture and Livestock, one Oral Question was addressed to the Minister for Education and Skills Development, and one Oral Question was addressed to the Minister for Health.

Minister for Agriculture and Livestock

Marketing of Potatoes and Purchase of Fertilizers and Pesticides

Question Regarding Marketing of Potatoes and the Purchase of Fertilizers and Pesticides In response to the question on potato marketing and the official procurement of fertilizers and pesticides from Nyisho-Saephu Member, the Minister for Agriculture informed the House that Bhutan and the Government of India signed an agreement with Brahmaputra Valley Fertilizer Corporation on 18 August 2025 allowing the import of up to 5,000 MT of fertilizers annually, significantly exceeding the national requirement of 2,500–3,000 MT. He clarified that agrochemicals have been supplied since the First Five Year Plan to enhance agricultural production and safeguard crops, and that in 2024–2025 alone, around 2,700 MT of agrochemicals were procured and distributed, particularly benefiting potato- and rice-growing regions.

On potato marketing, the Minister reported that the Government is actively working to diversify export destinations beyond India, given Bhutan’s limited domestic consumption. Teams have already visited Bangladesh, negotiations are ongoing with Thailand, and discussions with Nepal are being explored to secure more stable and favorable markets for Bhutanese farmers. Addressing concerns related to falling prices and unsold surplus potatoes, he stated that the Ministry, in collaboration with the FCB, has been providing timely market information to farmers and is considering temporary import restrictions and mechanisms for redistributing domestically produced potatoes if required.

Challenges Under the Cost Sharing Mechanism (CSM)

Responding to the question from the Member from Nganglam Constituency concerning challenges under the Cost Sharing Mechanism (CSM) and the inability of some farmers to afford required cost-sharing contributions, the Minister informed the House that agriculture remains central to Bhutan’s rural economy, with a large portion of the population dependent on farming. He noted that until the Eleventh Five Year Plan, most agricultural services and inputs were provided free of cost to support food self-sufficiency, but with economic development and changing priorities, structured support under the CSM has been introduced to transition farming from subsistence to commercial operations.

The current CSM, formally introduced in 2019 and is designed to support production, value chains, and increased productivity by sharing the cost of inputs and services between the Government and farmers, with differentiated support depending on the scale and nature of the activity to empower smallholder and semi-commercial farmers. Under the mechanism, subsistence farmers receive significant government support about 50-80% depending on targeted incentives, and essential infrastructure and inputs such as seeds to enhance productivity. The Minister clarified that the cost-sharing payment structure varies by product and activity, where the Government bears a larger share for foundational inputs like new saplings and seeds, and farmers contribute proportionately based on the specific intervention. Acknowledging that the CSM has only been in operation for a few months, he assured the House that the Ministry is reviewing implementation challenges and will continue to monitor the mechanism, recognizing that more time is needed to fully assess its benefits and address issues such as affordability and equitable access for rural and disadvantaged farmers.

Shortage of Livestock and Agriculture Extension Officials

The Member from Drametse–Ngatshang Constituency expressed concern over the acute shortage of agriculture and livestock extension officials, which has affected the delivery of essential services, particularly access to livestock medicines, vaccination support, emergency clinical visits, and implementation of national programs. The Member called for immediate measures to ensure service delivery and asked for clarity on the Ministry’s plan to fill sanctioned posts.

Responding to the question, the Minister acknowledged the concern raised regarding the shortage of human resources, noting that this is an issue across the country. He emphasized the importance of civil servants in delivering quality services to the people. The Minister explained that for Professional Management (PM) positions, recruitment is coordinated by the RCSC, while for supervisory and support staff, vacancies are announced by the Ministry and Dzongkhags. However, due to a limited number of qualified professionals, some positions remain vacant. To ensure continuity of services, the Ministry has temporarily assigned multiple responsibilities to existing officials while working to address the staffing gaps.

Minister for Education and Skills Development Ensuring Fair Employment Practices: Clarification on Contract Extensions and Welfare Policies for Teachers, ESP/GSP Staff, and NFE Instructors

Responding to the question from the Member from Thrimshing–Kangpara Constituency, who raised concerns regarding MoESD’s notification of 9 December 2025 indicating the presence of 1,750 contract teachers, 2,480 ESP/GSP staff, and 295 NFE instructors and highlighted public concerns over the lack of contract extensions and the longstanding grievances of NFE instructors, particularly the absence of increments and retirement benefits despite decades of service, the Minister informed the House that the Ministry places equal value on both regular and contract personnel and is committed to ensuring fair and consistent benefits. The Minister explained that following the Government’s Executive Orders and Directives issued on 29 January 2024, a sub-committee was established to oversee the regularization of contract teachers, including NFE instructors, ESP, GSP, and other categories, and after extensive consultations with the RCSC, the para-regular regularization framework was finalized in 2024. The Minister highlighted that the contract term for para-regular staff has been extended from one to two years to a five-year tenure, with provisions for renewal similar to regular positions, and that para-regular teachers are now eligible for salary increments, allowances, professional development opportunities, transfer grants, provident fund, gratuity, and home ownership benefits, thereby addressing key gaps in welfare and service conditions for contract staff across the education sector.

The Member from Thrimshing-Kangpara called for a debate on the matter citing that the response was not satisfactory. This was seconded by the Member from Gangzur-Minjay constituency and the House decided to call for a debate on the matter as rules of procedure.

Minister for Health

Requirement for a Gynecologist and Doctor at Hospitals

The Member from Bongo–Chapcha Constituency questioned the Minister for Health regarding the shortage of medical professionals in the area, specifically the absence of a doctor at Tsimalakha Hospital for nearly a month and the lack of a gynecologist at Gedu Hospital, which has compelled pregnant women, including those from Getana, to travel long distances even during labor.

The Minister for Health informed the House that Chukha Dzongkhag is currently served by four hospitals and fifteen Primary Health Centres. He explained that Gedu Hospital, categorized as a general hospital, does not qualify for a resident gynecologist due to declining ANC and delivery cases, and that high-risk pregnancies are referred to the nearby Phuentsholing Hospital, which is staffed with two gynecologists. Essential maternal health services at Gedu continue to be delivered by two medical officers, supported specialist outreach, and teleconsultation services. Regarding Tsimalakha Hospital, the Minister clarified that the facility has been without a doctor since October following the resignation of its medical officer to join the RBA; patients requiring consultations are temporarily referred to Chhukha Hospital, while routine services continue uninterrupted through a competent 53-member team. He assured the House that a new doctor will be placed at Tsimalakha from the January recruitment batch and reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to ensuring safe, reliable, and accessible healthcare services for communities under Gedu and Tsimalakha hospitals. The Minister also informed that the Ministry is planning to provide Mobile Medical Facility Service where a mobile unit will be deployed with a Doctor, technician and nurse very soon and is in discussion with RCSC for staffing. The Minister expressed that this service is expected to alleviate the current issues of shortage of doctors in many Dzongkhags.

The Question Hour Session for the Fourth Session of the Fourth Parliament concluded with a total of 42 questions, comprising 21 oral questions and 21 written questions.