Speeches

Inaugural Address to the 4^th Annual Audit Conference by the Chief Guest, the Chairman of the Council of Ministers, Lyonpo Yeshey Zimba.

Venerable Yangbi Lopen
National Assembly Speaker
Dasho Dzongdas
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen  

I am extremely happy to be here with you all on this very auspicious occasion of the Fourth Annual Audit Conference on the theme “Accountability – A Collective Responsibility”. We have all witnessed the ways of Royal Audit Authority a short while ago in the Shungdra and the theme demonstration that at first they are soft and gentle like the melodious song and if the circumstances compel they resort to harsh and unpleasant means by bringing the ropes, army and police. (Referring to the theme demonstration and the Zhungdra presented at the opening ceremony) (Laughter)  

Our country although small has developed rapidly within the shortest possible period of time. The developments are that we have witnessed and yet to come in every sphere of our lives are needless to mention here today. They are there to speak for themselves.  

Bhutan still remains a least developed country inspite of the fast development since the planned economic development. It is encouraging to see that people-leading better lives with higher income and better education. Despite the rapid economic and social developments, we are fortunate to have our pristine natural environment intact for the future generations to cherish. Our development philosophy has become one of the exemplary model to other nations of the world.  

These kinds of developments and the legacy that we are able to hand over to our future generations can solely be attributed to the presence of sound development policies under the dynamic leadership of His Majesty the King.  

A Bhutanese civil servant is a small segment of our society vested with enormous power and authority surrendered by the governed. They have surrendered their power with the hope that their needs and aspirations would be taken care of. Civil service has inched its way from the times of its formative stages to more efficient and strong mechanism of good governance.  

Generally, we have the convergence of thoughts and actions of the entire society at the times of need, and emergency. The probity and strength of general consciousness is very sublime and strong.  

Nevertheless, as our tiny society undergoes a transition and the winds of globalization sweeping through the various strata of society, changes are inevitable. These changes generate new needs and lifestyles, and we increasingly realize that the forces beyond our control accelerate these changes. This causes the unbridgeable gap between income and lifestyles and society at large undergo a financial paucity and psychological disorientation. I think it is sensible to say that these are the root causes of corruption.  

Corruption in our country is not a pressing issue at present, but it would not remain so for long. Corruption is not confined only to money but also to include nepotism, misuse of government property and use of power and authority for personal gains. The perceived lack of corruption and pervasive insidious presence of it would gnaw at the roots of our institutions and impair the fruits of developments. It has to be nibbed at the bud.  

I must share with you that, many least developed countries in the world are still in the same stage of development not because they did not receive any assistance from the donors but because of the deficient system and funds have been siphoned by the corrupt people who man the system.  

Unlike these countries, Bhutan ’s ability to solicit sustained assistance from donors is result of the effective and transparent resource use and good service delivery by the government.  

Corruption cannot be kept at bay by building strong ethical and moral edifice alone. It has to be supported by the pillars and posts of strong and clear rules and regulations. These rules have to be understood in its truest sense and implemented properly.  

The role of the Royal Audit Authority is to see that government money is spent and resources are used prudently and judiciously in accordance with the standing rules and regulations. The observations of the RAA has to be used by other government organizations as the valuable inputs in the their policy formulation and decision making process.  

I know that auditing is a daunting task. Therefore, His Majesty the King has magnanimously granted a special financial allowance to you all. This alone must be a strong motivation. You all must work with added dedication and diligence.  

As you all are gathered here today, I urge you all to freely and frankly engage in sharing your experiences and problems in this common forum and come out with the concrete resolutions.  

The programme of the conference state that I must ring this Jangnga to declare the conference open.  

As I ring the Jangnga and its chime reverberates within the four walls, it is not only to declare the conference open but it would also symbolize the ultimate victory of accountability in building clean public service.  

Thank you and wish you all the best.  

Tashi Deleg.