The main focus of the Tourism Levy Bill (2020) is on the value, to redefine the existing tourism policy of ‘High Value, Low Impact’, said the government. Telling that the tourism industry must benefit all the Bhutanese people, and that the high value definition has become redundant, the government proposed to increase the Sustainable Development Fund of USD 65 to …

With overwhelming priorities in the 12th Five-Year-Plan, the government is not in a position to implement one of its election pledges, the Sung-jeon App. Pointing reasons to pledge Sung-jeon App, the Layog Lyonpo Karma Dorji told the parliament that the Sung-jeon App was to benefit the whole country. Some of the reasons, Lyonpo said, it is for data security, and …

… economic diversification to conserve foreign currency reserve which stands at USD 1157.408 M Druk Holding and Investments (DHI) is working on two to three major projects according to Lyonchhen Dr Lotay Tshering. He said that the earnings from those projects are expected to generate foreign currency. The decrease in US Dollar (USD), the main convertible foreign currency reserve in …

… parameters of leadership assessment are irrelevant and unfair The former Director General (DG) of Bhutan Narcotic Control Authority (BNCA), Sonam Dorji was managed out without a single audit memo three years earlier before his superannuation after working for more than three decades. He served four government autonomous agencies and held seven key positions until the Royal Civil Service Commission (RCSC) …

Inspired by His Majesty the King’s vision of an accountable society based on the rule of law, a proposal for the adoption of torts law was discussed. For more than a year, the Legislative Community (LC) of the National Council has been carrying out review, research and stakeholder consultations. LC tabled the Civil Liability Bill in the 27th session of …

For alleged embezzlement of more than Nu 3 million to Nu 5 million, three officials of the immigration office in Phuentsholing are undergoing Anti-Corruption Commission’s trial.  The three officials – an immigration officer, an inspector and an accountant are suspected to have embezzled funds that have been allocated for travel and daily allowances (TADA).  In the beginning, the case was …

Puran Gurung A lone Bhutanese freestyle swimmer, also a Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA) scholarship holder is all set for swimming action at Budapest starting June 18 to July 3. Representing Bhutan, the duo swimmer teens – 18-year-old Sangay Tenzin, and 17-year-old Kinley will compete at 19th edition of FINA World Championship 2022 in Budapest, Hungary. Sangay Tenzin compete for …

… some indicate that gangs are re-emerging in the country Yeshey Lhadon Small groups of youths involved in a street fight of about five individuals is a frequent encounter for the police force. The City’s Officer in Command (OC) of Thimphu, Gembo Penjor confirmed that there are no gang fights in the country, and the fights are mainly amongst groups, they are …

…PoL dealers suggest the government consider fixing the five per cent green tax (GT) Yeshey Lhadon To bring down the fuel price in the country, the government adopted a price-fixing-module – this, the Petroleum, Oils and Lubricants (PoL) dealers said it is a decision taken arbitrarily. PoL dealers were disheartened that the new pricing structure was released without discussing it …

In collaboration with Thimphu Thromde, the Embassy of India launched the celebrations of the 8 th International Day of Yoga with a Curtain Raiser event at the Lungtenzampa Middle Secondary School, Thimphu on June 1, 2022. The first International Day of Yoga was observed around the world on June 21, 2015. The theme of the 8th International Day of Yoga …