One of the long-anticipated aspirations of civil servants remains unresolved, as the deliberations on salary revision have yet to materialize within the purview of the second pay commission, a matter left to the discretion of the second parliamentary session. This decision was fortified with an array of justifications, grounded predominantly in the prevailing economic turmoil besieging the nation.
Recent days have seen the circulation of speculations through the media, only to be subsequently debunked by the finance minister who, through the same media channels, definitively clarified the absence of any substantive discourse concerning the proposed remuneration adjustments. Such protracted uncertainties give rise to a palpable sense of disillusionment among the populace, as public expectations have been buoyed by the sanguine promises articulated during your campaign. Your explicit commitment to funding the salary revision through domestically generated revenue kindled optimism, further underscored by televised pledges from governmental representatives.
In the current milieu, the saying in Dzongkha, "Lotoe pai migi hingku," acquires a disconcerting relevance, aptly encapsulating the prevailing circumstances. The unsettling volatility in commodity prices continues unabated, with recent times witnessing a surge in the cost of various essentials. Illustratively, the price of a kilogram of Amul cheese has surged to approximately 440/- from its prior valuation of 393/-, while the cost of 800 grams of daily milk consumption has escalated to around 400/- from its previous mark of 342/-. Regrettably, these fluctuations likely compel economically marginalized citizens to curtail their consumption patterns, straining their ability to access basic necessities.
Conversely, the affluent strata of society remain relatively unaffected by these fluctuations. Regarded from the perspective of ordinary citizens, this dissonance evokes a sense of being deceived by the proverbial barking dog, a creature known for its vocalizations rather than its actions.
In light of these pressing concerns, we implore the second pay commission of Bhutan to expeditiously address the imperative of salary revision. This call to action is underpinned by the recognition that robust economic growth is not only pivotal for enhancing the quality of human existence but also a conduit for facilitating improved healthcare, education, and an array of vital social amenities.
Our collective hopes and prayers are fervently vested in the expectation that the forthcoming recommendations from the pay commission will bear forth constructive outcomes, thereby inching us closer to the realization of Gross National Happiness (GNH) within our beloved nation.
