Date: 19/05/2013
 

 
  
 
  
  
 
 
 
About Us

Functions of the Commission

Section 27 of the Civil Service Act of Bhutan 2010, on the 'Functions of the Commission', states that

27. The Royal Civil Service Commission as the central personnel agency of the Government shall:

  • (a) administer and enforce all statutory provisions of this Act;
  • (b) prescribe, amend and enforce rules and regulations for carrying into effect the provisions of this Act;
  • (c) promulgate policies, standards and guidelines for the Civil Service and adopt plans and programmes in consultation with the agencies to promote efficient and effective personnel administration;
  • (d) appoint, promote and transfer civil servants except as specified otherwise in this Act;
  • (e) formulate, administer and evaluate programs pertaining to the development and retention of qualified and competent work force in the civil service;
  • (f) promote and maintain the highest level of prestige, morale and well-being of the civil service;
  • (g) conduct periodic HR auditing across all agencies;
  • (h) conduct special investigation on HR actions where necessary;
  • (i) ensure establishment of a human resource committee/council in each agency with standard functions and responsibilities to ensure proper personnel administration and human resource development, and monitor their functions;
  • (j) prescribe, enforce and review code of conduct for the civil servants;
  • (k) manage Civil Service selection examinations;
  • (l) review, plan, coordinate, facilitate and monitor general civil service training and development programmes;
  • (m) maintain up-to-date personnel information on all civil servants as prescribed in the BCSR;
  • (n) exercise general disciplinary control over civil servants through the enforcement of all rules, regulations and relevant laws;
  • (o) provide administrative and legal support to civil servants in respect of decisions taken in good faith or intent pursuant to official duties; and
  • (p) perform any other functions to discharge its mandates.

Powers of the Commission

Section 28, 29 and 30, of the Civil Service Act of Bhutan 2010, on 'Powers of the Commission', states that

28. The Commission:

  • (a) may require free access to all information and records of agencies that relate to HR management and to inspect and inquire into and call for any information arising from those accounts and records;
  • (b) may revoke any HR actions taken by implementing agencies if found in contravention to this Act and BCSR;
  • (c) may call upon any entity or official in government to assist the Commission in the preparation and conduct of Civil Service selection examinations;
  • (d) shall require all civil servant and agencies to provide the Commission with such facilities, assistance, information and access to their respective offices as the Commission may require for the performance of its duties;
  • (e) may delegate its functions in writing and subject to such conditions to be prescribed in the rules and regulations, to a person, agency, authority or entity including its secretariat from time to time as appropriate;
  • (f) in consultation with the agencies shall:
    • i. Determine staffing pattern and strength of an agency;
    • ii. Create, abolish or classify positions;
    • iii. Enhance capacity through Human Resource Development Programmes; and
    • iv. Carry out organizational development reviews at regular intervals.

29. The Commission shall, as per the decision of the Lhengye Zhungtshog create, abolish, upgrade or alter organizational structures in ministries and autonomous agencies, including names in consultation with line Agencies. Likewise, the Legislature and Constitutional bodies shall carry out such organizational changes in consultation with the RCSC.

30. The Judiciary shall create, abolish, upgrade or alter courts or tribunals in keeping with Article 21 (2) of the Constitution while other organizational changes shall be carried out in consultation with the RCSC.

Our History

The Department of Manpower, a precursor to the Royal Civil Service Commission was established in 1973. As the civil service administration became more complex due to rapid social economic development activities, the Royal Government recognized the need to further strengthen the central personnel agency with clear mandates. Thus the Royal Civil Service Commission was established in June 1982 under the Royal Charter.

The Commission
The Commission, which was constituted for the first time in accordance with the Royal Charter, consisted of the following fifteen members with HRH Ashi Sonam Choden Wangchuck as the first Chairperson from July 29, 1982 to April 17, 1991:

  1. HRH Ashi Sonam C. Wangchuck - Chairperson
  2. HRH Ashi D.W. Wangchuck - Member
  3. HRH Tengyel Lyonpo - Member
  4. Hon'ble Lyonpo Tamji Jagar - Member
  5. Hon'ble Lyonpo Dawa Tsering - Member
  6. Hon'ble Lyonpo S. Penjor - Member
  7. Goongloen Lam Dorji - Member
  8. Hon'ble Dasho D. Tshering - Member
  9. Hon'ble Dasho Kalyon - Member
  10. Hon'ble Dasho Lam Penjor - Member
  11. Dasho K. Letho - Member
  12. Dasho C. Dorji - Member
  13. Dasho Prahlad Gurung - Member
  14. Dasho Thinley Dorji - alternate Member
  15. Jigmi Y. Thinley (from 1982 to1986) - Member-Secretary
  16. Dasho Sonam Tobgye (from 1986 to1991) - Member-Secretary

1st Reconstitution of the Commission
On April 17, 1991, the Commission was reconstituted (for the first time) with the following members and was chaired by one of the ministers on a six monthly rotational basis from April 17, 1991 onwards and Lyonpo Dawa Tsering was the first Chairperson:

  1. Lyonpo Dawa Tshering - Member - Hon'ble Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  2. Lyonpo (Dr.) T. Tobgyel - Member - Hon'ble Minister, Ministries of Comm. & Social Services
  3. Lyonpo Dorji Tshering - Member - Hon'ble Minister, Ministry of Finance
  4. Lyonpo Om Pradhan - Member - Hon'ble Minister, Ministry of Trade & Industry
  5. Lyonpo Dago Tsering - Member - Hon'ble Minister, Ministry of Home Affairs
  6. Dasho Leki Dorji - Member - Hon'ble Deputy Minister, Ministry of Agriculture
  7. Dasho Kunzang Tangbi - Member - Chairman, Royal Advisory Council
  8. Dasho Kipchu Dorji - Member - Auditor General, Royal Audit Authority
  9. Dasho Khandu Wangchuk - Member-Secretary - Royal Civil Service Commission

2nd Reconstitution of the Commission
October 30, 1996, the Commission was reconstituted (for the second time) with the following members and Lyonpo Dorji Tshering was the first Chairperson:

  1. Lyonpo Dorji Tshering - Member - Hon'ble Minister, Ministry of Finance
  2. Lyonpo Dawa Tsering - Member - Hon'ble Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  3. Lyonpo Om Pradhan - Member - Hon'ble Minister, Ministry of Trade & Industry
  4. Lyonpo Dago Tshering - Member - Hon'ble Minister, Ministry of Home Affairs
  5. Lyonpo Chenkyab Dorji - Member - Hon'ble Minister, Ministry of Planning
  6. Dasho Leki Dorji - Member - Hon'ble Deputy Minister, Ministry of Comm.
  7. Dasho Tshewang J. Rixin - Member - Hon'ble Deputy Minister, Ministry of Health & Education
  8. Dasho Khandu Wangchuk - Member - Hon'ble Deputy Minister, Ministry of Agriculture
  9. Dasho Karma Letho - Member - Chairman, Royal Advisory Council
  10. Dasho Kipchu Dorji - Member - Auditor General, Royal Audit Authority
  11. Dasho Sangay Ngedup - Member - Secretary, Ministry of Health & Education
  12. Dasho (Dr.) Kinzang Dorji - Member - Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture
  13. Dasho Yeshey Zimba - Member - Secretary, Ministry of Finance
  14. Dasho Dorji Tenzin - Member - Secretary, Public Works Division
  15. Dasho Thinley Gyamtsho - Member-Secretary - Royal Civil Service Commission

3rd Reconstitution of the Commission
After the devolution of executive power to the elected Council of Ministers, the Commission was reconstituted (for the third time) on August 11, 1998 with the following members and the first Chairperson was Lyonpo Thinley Gyamtsho:

  1. Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk - Chairperson - Hon'ble Minister, Ministry of Trade & Industry
  2. Lyonpo Kinzang Dorji - Member - Hon'ble Minister, Ministry of Agriculture
  3. Lyonpo Yeshey Zimba - Member - Hon'ble Minister, Ministry of Finance
  4. Lyonpo Sangay Ngedup - Member - Hon'ble Minister, Ministry of Health & Education
  5. Lyonpo Thinley Gyamtsho - Member - Hon'ble Minister, Ministry of Home Affairs
  6. Lyonpo Jigmi Y. Thinley - Member - Hon'ble Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  7. Dasho Leki Dorji - Member - Hon'ble Dy. Minister, Ministry of Comm.
  8. Dasho Rinzin Gyaltshen - Resigned on December 26, 2001,Kalyon, Royal Advisory Council
  9. Dasho Kunzang Wangdi - Member - Auditor General, Royal Audit Authority
  10. Dasho Karma Dorji - Discontinued since December 6, 2002,Dzongdag, Thimphu Dzongkhag
  11. Dasho (Dr.) Jigmi Singay - Member-Secretary,Royal Civil Service Commission

4th Reconstitution of the Commission
In October 2003, the Commission was reconstituted (for the 4 th time) by the Royal Government as per the Resolution of the 81 st Session of the National Assembly held on July 25, 2003 which resolved that the Royal Civil Service Commission be reconstituted and strengthened to prevent politicization of the bureaucracy. The reconstituted Commission should represent all three branches of the government under a Chairperson to be appointed by His Majesty the King. The Commission is chaired by one of the members on a three monthly rotational basis. The Commission then constitutes seven members as follows:

  1. Dasho Dr. Sonam Tenzin - Chairperson, Director General, Department of Local Governance, MoHCA
  2. Mr. Kinley Dorji - Member, Managing Director, Kuensel Corporation
  3. Mr. Jigme Zangpo - Member, Secretary, National Assembly
  4. Mr. Tshering Dorji - Member, Registrar General, Royal Court of Justice
  5. Mr. Pema Wangda - Member, Director, Department of Labour, MoLHR
  6. Mr. Nima Wangdi - Member, Director General, Department of Aid and Debt Management, MoF
  7. Dasho Bap Kesang - Member Secretary, Secretary, Royal Civil Service Commission

In April 2005, Nima Wangdi, Director General, Department of Aid and Debt Management was seconded to the Asian Development Bank as the Alternative Executive Director. Aum Neten Zangmo Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs joined as Commission member in December 2005. Dasho Pasang Tobgye, Judge Royal Court of Justice replaced Tshering Dorji, Registrar General, High Court as member.

As of 5th August 2006, the Commission constitutes seven members as follows (Reference: Memo-RCSC/PPD-9/2005):

  1. Dasho Pasang Tobgye - Chairperson, Judge, Royal Court of Justice
  2. Dasho Sangay Thinley - Member, Secretary,Ministry of Agriculture
  3. Dasho Penden Wangchuk - Member, Secretary,Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs
  4. Aum Yanki T. Wangchuk - Member, Secretary,Ministry of Finance
  5. Dasho Tashi Phuntsho - Member, Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications
  6. Nima Tshering - Member, Secretary, National Assembly Secretariat
  7. Dasho Bap Kesang - Member Secretary, Secretary, Royal Civil Service Commission
In March 2007 Dasho Pasang Tobgay’s membership to the RCSC was withdrawn by the Hon’ble Chief Justice and in September 2007 Dasho Sangay Thinley, Secretary Ministry of Agriculture superannuated. In October (Dr)Dasho Gadho Tshering, Secretary of Health was appointed as a new member while in March 2008 Aum Yanki.T.Wangchuk, Secretary Ministry of Finance resigned from the Civil Service.

The Commission constituted the following members:

  1. Nima Tshering - Chairperson, Secretary, National Assembly Secretariat
  2. Dasho Tashi Phuntsho - Member, Secretary, Dzongkha Development Commission
  3. Dasho Dr. Gadho Tshering - Member, Secretary, Ministry of Health
  4. Dasho Penden Wangchuk - Member, Secretary,Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs
  5. Dasho Bap Kesang - Member Secretary, Secretary, Royal Civil Service Commission



ADOPTION OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE KINGDOM OF BHUTAN
On 18th July, 2008, the Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan was adopted.

Following the adoption of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan, the incumbent Commission members submitted their resignations immediately after the historic signing and adoption of the Constitution of Bhutan and in keeping with the relevant provisions of the Constitution.

The following members submitted their resignations:
    1. Dasho Nima Tshering, Secretary National Assembly Secretariat.
    2. Dasho Tashi Phuntsog, Secretary Ministry of Information & Communication.
    3. Dasho Penden Wangchuk, Secretary Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs.
    4. Dasho (Dr) Gado Tshering, Secretary Ministry of Health.

PROVISIONS OF THE CONSTITUTION
Article 26 Section 1 of the Constitution states that

"There shall be a Royal Civil Service Commission, which shall promote and ensure an independent and apolitical civil service that will discharge its public duties in an efficient, transparent and accountable manner."

"Article 26 Section 2 of the Constitution states that

The Commission shall consist of a Chairperson and four other members appointed by the Druk Gyalpo from among eminent persons having such qualifications and experience as would enhance the performance of the Commission, from a list of names recommended jointly by the Prime Minister, the Chief Justice of Bhutan, the Speaker, the Chairperson of the National Council and Leader of the Opposition Party."
Article 2 Section 19 (g) of the Constitution states that

"The Druk Gyalpo shall, by warrant under his hand and seal, appoint:
  • (g) The Chairperson and members of the Royal Civil Service Commission in accordance with section 2 of Article 26;"




In accordance to the provisions of the Constitution, His Majesty the King appointed the following as Chairperson and Members of the Commission on 30th January, 2009:

Lyonpo Thinley Gyamtsho Chairman
Pirthiman Pradhan   Member
Sangay Dorji      Member
Kinley Yangzom        Member
Bachu Phub Dorji   Member

Lyonpo Thinley Gyamtsho, Chairman of RCSC, formally took over all the charges and functions of the Royal Civil Service Commission from the outgoing Secretary, Dasho Bap Kesang with effect from 13th February, 2009.

The Commissioners formally joined office on 18th February 2009.

  

THIMPHU BHUTAN, Post Box No. 163,Tel.: PABX 975-2-322491, 322954, 322956 Fax No. 00975-2-323086, 325980
Copyright 2005 - RCSC