Monday 9 June 2008

Bhutan : Parliamentarians order Toyota Prado


June 7: Several parliamentarians have ordered for Toyota Prado. The cabinet last month decided that the parliamentarians would be given options to either buy Toyota Yaris car or take a lump sum amount of Nu. 700,000 with monthly fuel and maintenance allowance. All opted for money.

Speaking to BBS, earlier the National Assembly Secretary Nima Tshering said it is not compulsory for parliamentarians to purchase a Toyota Yaris car. He said they can buy a car of their choice. And the car of their choice seems to be Toyota Prado.

As of today, the State Trading Corporation of Bhutan Limited (STCBL) has received orders for 24 Toyota Prados from the MPs. Two have already been delivered.

Altogether, the STCBL has received orders for 39 Toyota Prados. That’s including 10 Toyota Prados for the Cabinet Ministers and one each for the National Assembly Speaker, the Chief Justice of Bhutan, the Chairperson of the National Council, and the Opposition Leader.

The Deputy General Manager of the STCBL, Karma Gyeltshen said this is the highest number of orders for Prados received at a time from the government.

He said demand for Toyota Prados normally come from private individuals and companies. While the MPs have to pay around Nu. 700,000 from their own pocket in addition to the 700,000 they received from the government, they will not have to pay tax for purchasing Toyota Prado. They are purchasing it on government quota.

A Toyota Prado with full option costs about Nu. 14, 00,000.

www.bbs.com.bt

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