1 TRANSLATION OF THE PROCEEDINGS AND ... - APFA News

The BCCI Chimi commented on article 18 on 'Advisory Jurisdiction' listed on
page 6. He said that the phrase ‘it is expedient to obtain the opinion of the
Supreme Court’ pertaining to a question of law or fact must be rephrased to read
as ‘If the Supreme Court were commanded, it shall hear the question and submit
to His Majesty the King’. Since no other members of the Assembly challenged
the suggestion, it was endorsed.
The Chimi also pointed out that the phrase 'in which Bhutan or the Government
of Bhutan is a party' of clause 4 of article 22 on page 7 is difficult to understand.
The Assembly agreed that it must be changed to make it more understandable.
The Punakha Chimi commented on article 30 on page 9 titled as ‘Powers to
Make Rules (Chayig)’. He questioned the basis of the meaning of words such as
Chayig, Thrimlug and Thrimyig. Which of the words is relevant? Are they
synonymous? He asked for clarification on the usage of the words and their
appropriateness?
The Hon’ble Chief Justice responded by saying that the word Thrimlug refers to
one singular law of the country; it constitutes of both the secular and religious
laws. Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal had codified the Chayig Chhenmo from
1617-1619 while instituting the Talo Dratshang. Keeping in line with this
tradition, Chayig refers to minor acts while Chayig Chhenmo has direct
reference to the Dratshang.
The Hon’ble Minister for Agriculture proposed that the acts endorsed hitherto
may be called Chathrim while those codified hereafter by ministries who are
empowered to do so may be called Chayig.
The Speaker said that any legislation enacted hereafter would be known as
Chathrim. Those rules and regulations derived from it for internal enforcement
by the ministries would be known as Chayig.
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