Agency: He said he had informed the new Indian Ambassador to Bhutan about the ESP controversy, noting that the issue reflects the program’s popularity and the high demand across sectors. “Those who did not get loans, or those seeking to politicize the matter, are raising it on social media. It shows that everyone wants ESP,” he said.
The PM said that ESP loan money was initially given to the banks who were not disbursing it due to which the public complained, and that is why the funds had to be channeled through the Bhutan Development Bank Ltd (BDBL).
The PM said, “On the matter of the loans, we have nothing to do with it, and I certainly have nothing to do with it. If any of the ministers have tried to influence, intervene and intimidate BDBL (on ESP loans), let me know because that minister will be out of a job. Get evidence and hold us to account, but please do not speculate. If you speculate and get evidence then do speculate, but if we are speculating without evidence, we doing the the country and the youth a great disfavor.”
The PM said if there is corruption in the ESP then people should provide evidence to him, and then if he (PM) does not do anything about it then the he should be held to account and resign from his post.
