Thimphu, Jan 12 (IANS): In a historic step, Bhutan's Parliament conducted its first-ever legislative public hearing on a mine-related bill.

This is the first public hearing after the South Asian nation's transition from absolute monarchy to constitutional monarchy in 2008, reports Xinhua news agency.

The hearing was conducted on Friday by 13 members from the National Assembly's Economic and Finance Committee to review the Mines and Minerals Bill 2020.

All stakeholders from relevant sectors in the mining industry and local and government representatives were quizzed. The hearing will be tabled for discussion at the upcoming parliament session.

Parliament member Dorji Wangdi said the mining only profits the promoters who are already rich, and was not contributing much to the country and its people.

The Department of Revenue and Custom's representative said there are around 38 mining companies in the country and only 18 of them pay taxes which constitutes 3 per cent of the country's GDP, as others were running in loss.

The 18 companies have paid a tax amounting $10.4 million in 2016-2017 and $21.1 million in 2017-2018.

The members also mentioned the environmental damages and health hazards caused to local residents due to dust and the mining work.

This legislative public hearing was conducted after various public consultations, and aimed to get public inputs on the Bill, which is one of the most controversial and prolonged legislations of Bhutan.