Presentation of the Cattle Tax Exemption Bill of Bhutan 2024 and Deliberation on Rural Credit Access in Bhutan
The
9th sitting of the National Council began with His Excellency Lyonpo Lekey
Dorji, Minister for Finance, presenting the Cattle Tax Exemption Bill of Bhutan
2024.
While introducing the Bill, His Excellency explained that the cattle tax was introduced under the revised taxation policy of 1992, with rates ranging from Nu.1 to Nu.10 per head. The tax applies to cattle such as Mithun, cows, yaks, buffaloes, horses, donkeys, goats, and sheep. He noted that the exemption aims to encourage cattle rearing, promote investment in farming, and bring economic and social benefits for rural communities.
Members sought clarification from the Hon’ble Minister on various aspects of the Bill. The Economic Affairs Committee will present its review of the Bill to the House in the next sitting.
Following this, the House resumed deliberations on the Economic Affairs Committee’s review report on Rural Credit Access in Bhutan, which was presented on November 25, 2024.
The House deliberated extensively on the 11 recommendations proposed by the EAC. In view of the few additional submissions from the members, the House assigned the EAC to revisit some of the recommendations. The House is scheduled to adopt the report, along with the final recommendations, on December 6, 2024.
