From friends: Pradhan tells his story
I joined the Royal Government of Bhutan (RGOB) as a young officer in March 1980 having successfully completed my National Social Service (NSS) in Lhuntshi dzongkhag (district). During my six months of NSS I had the opportunity to visit and work in the remotest parts of Lhuntshi and also in Tashigang and Mongar districts in eastern Bhutan.
I was one of those twenty three Bhutanese students who had graduated that year from abroad as there were no colleges in Bhutan. I was the only student who had been placed in Punjab University top ten merit list having obtained a first class first in B.A. final examination in 1979 with Economics and Politics.
My initial ambition was to join the Ministry of Foreign Affairs then led by late Lyonpo Dawa Tsering. But as I reported late for the interview being far off in eastern Bhutan doing my NSS I could not join this Ministry. Her Royal Highness (HRH) Ashi Dechhan Wangmo Wangchhuck, then, the Representative of His Majesty in the Ministry of Development ordered I was free to join any department or Ministry in 1980 except the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as there was no more post in the Ministry. I finally decided to join the department of Manpower then led by former Lyonpo Jigmi Y. Thinley as its Officer on Special Duty.
The country was embarking on its fifth five year plan major part of which was being funded by India. The recently established UNDP office in Thimphu had decided to grant US$2.5 million to help Bhutan gain self sufficiency in its manpower under its Human Resources Development (HRD) project. The country then faced tremendous shortage of highly educated, professional and trained manpower. Most of the important government positions were occupied by Indian expatriate personnel either on deputation or through direct hire. I was given the responsibility to plan, implement and complete the above project.
Initially, I could not work on the above project as my supervisor, an Indian national was in charge of the over all scholarship division. And every time I had to look up for orders and instructions and could take no initiative of my own. The project remained unimplemented and funds lay unused through out 1980. During the UNDP project review meeting held in the Planning Commission conference hall chaired by deputy minister for Planning late Lam Penjore at the end of 1980 UNDP Resident Representative Tilak R. Malhotra noted and said the performance of Manpower department was most frustrating and unsatisfactory as HRD funds lay unused and none of the Bhutanese acquired any training or higher education. Jigmi Thinley, my boss had to cut a very sorry figure in that meeting. I could see his pale face as he could provide no justification as to why the UNDP funds were not utilized.
Next day of the meeting he called me in his chamber early in the morning then; we worked between 8-2.00 PM that was the working hours approved by RGOB at that time. He was very angry and put all the blame on me threatening immediate transfer and he said that wherever I go I would do the worst. I too lost my usual cool temperament and I told him in his face that he was free to transfer me anywhere. At the same time I reminded him that I was a very hard working person and it is proved by my academic records and I would never accept his allegation that I was not working hard. But then, I realized I was arguing with my boss in whose hands my future career depended so, then and there, I apologized for my harsh replies and said sorry.
That was the turning point in my career and I realized I should take independent responsibilities. I told My Indian supervisor to let me handle the project independently and wherever I needed help I would ask him. I took over all the files and documents. And I spent considerable amount of time reading the files and documents and trying to understand and develop my own strategy to plan and implement the project. I contacted UNDP officials asking for their help. I held series of meetings with them and got documents and reports from other such projects. In the next few weeks I had all the information, knowledge and tools I needed in my job.
I discussed this issue with my boss and my plans to implement the project. He was very pleased and said I could go ahead. Next three months I organized several meetings with government Ministries and Departments, both technical and non-technical. Most of these were addressed by my boss who briefed the meetings on the RGOB policies, how we were going to work and what we expected from them while I briefed the concerned officers in these organizations. Broad policy guidelines including information on budgeting and training courses were provided to them. I kept close track of government organizations to ensure we implemented the project on time and produce results.
By end of 1981 we had developed several HRD projects for line ministries and departments and scores of Bhutanese had been deputed for higher education and training. In June 1982 we established the Royal Civil Service Commission (RCSC) through a Royal Charter after Dasho Kunzang Wangdi now the Chief Election Commissioner returned from his higher education in the USA. By 1982 we had over two dozen projects and we were able to utilize almost all the budget allocated by UNDP and on many occasions we sought for fresh budget. Bhutanese civil servants were sent to India, US, U.K., Australia, Japan, The Philippines, Thailand, Singapore and several other countries for higher education and training.
The RGOB in 1983 decided to send me to the USA for higher education so that I could shoulder higher responsibilities in the government. I got a UNDP fellowship and completed my Masters in Public Administration at Pennsylvania State University. I managed to pursue a Post Graduate certificate in Manpower Planning at the University of Manchester in U.K. under the same fellowship. I returned to Bhutan in 1985 and resumed my duties.
In the next five years I worked towards strengthening the Bhutanese civil service and helped in streamlining promotion procedures as well as in formulating various civil service rules and regulations. I was also given the responsibility to conduct the civil service selection examinations. I was made the head of compliance division and worked for control of government pool vehicles. I was part of the government exercise led by Dasho Sonam Tobgye, my second boss then, Secretary of RCSC now the Chief Justice of Bhutan to work on the reorganization of the government as per the royal command of former king Jigme Singye Wangchhuck to have a compact, accountable, efficient and effective civil service. In 1990 I decided to leave my job voluntarily and had to abandon my country due to certain unforeseen circumstances beyond my control.
I never had any political ambition and in exile I worked as a human rights and pro-democracy activist advocating for the rights and freedoms of the Bhutanese people. I decided to disassociate and sever all my links for good with the exiled Bhutanese refugee groups after some of them conspired against me resulting in my unjust incarceration and others failed to rescue me when I needed their help most. Despite being innocent I was held in Nepali prison for three years linking me with the murder of another Bhutanese leader whose real killers are at large even today.
Now that the country is entering into an era of democracy and freedom I have all the best wishes for my country men and at the same time I hope democratic government of Bhutan will accord top most priority in protecting and promoting human rights of all the Bhutanese people. And I am confident that the future of the Bhutanese people will always be in secure hands of elected representatives guided by His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchhuck.
Like his able father King Jigme Singye Wangchhuck who gave new hope and aspiration to the people and shaped their future to live in dignity and honor, I am sure His Majesty the present King will continue to guide the country and the people towards accomplishment of noble objectives left behind as a sacred legacy. Bhutanese people are fortunate to have kings who have given up their powers and authority so that people can decide their own future.
(story of S. K. Pradhan, former Under Secretary, Royal Civil Service Commission (RCSC)