First spark of dispute in ruling party leadership
The issue of self reliance in vegetable production has brought in rift within the ruling party Druk Phunsum Tshokpa (DPT). Agriculture Minister Pema Gyamtsho challenged the Prime Miniter Jigmi Thinley to ban agriculture imports from India.
At the height of rupee crunch last month, Prime Minister Thinely in a televised address to the nation had announced ban on all vegetable imports from India. The prime minister claimed vegetable import had been drawing a big chunk of Indian rupees leading to rupee shortage in the country.
Prime minister was criticised of this statement that had come without assessing the ground realities of domestic vegetable production. Indeed, statement from PM was not realistic. It was not possible for Bhutanese vegetable growers to meet the market demand in such a short span of time.
Few days before the PM’s timeline expires, Minister Gyamtsho said, “There is no vegetable import ban, the story of there being a Ban on the import of vegetables is not true”.
He said, it is not possible to do so, adding the Food Corporation of Bhutan (FCB) will be distributing imported vegetables to the vendors hereafter. This way, the government is extending its hand to business, snatching from the independent traders.
The prime minister was also compelled to withdraw his statement. There were not excuses for him but to allege media of misinterpreting his statement.
He said, his statement on television had been misinterpreted and misunderstood as a vegetable ban was never meant to take place.
With pressure from the vendors, the government has directed the central bank to extend the date to stop issuing INR for vegetable imports. The bank has now extended the date till June. The extended time is likely to give more time for vegetable growers to meet the market needs.
However, the government has clarified that it is encouraging domestic vegetable production to meet the local market, now matter it increases prices. The pressure is likely to push up the inflation rate in the country, beyond government’s expectation. The inflation in first quarter of this year had nearly touched double digit.
More interesting part of the story is not about increasing inflation but the sparks of sharp division within the leadership of ruling party. This has vividly reflected the inner struggle existing in party leadership. This will shape the future course of the party and leadership in the government. This might be very promising for the emerging parties who are looking forward to establish themselves through the 2013 general election.