With a proposed budget of around Nu 260 M, the fourth National Council or NC elections will be the most expensive NC election to date. This is despite the Election Commission of Bhutan or the ECB taking various cost-cutting measures. The state already spent around Nu 13.3 M in campaign funds for the candidates.

After five years of venturing into complete organic farming, Gungring village of Chhuzom Gewog in Sarpang is on the right track. In 2018, the Department of Agriculture identified the village as a Model Organic Village to improve the livelihood of people through crop diversification and income generation.

Nettle plant has traditionally been used to make ropes, jackets, bags and blankets among others. The practice of making yarns from nettle plants lost its popularity in many parts of the country after cotton became easily available. But in Lauri Gewog of Samdrup Jongkhar, people are not only keeping the tradition of producing nettle yarn alive but also making a good income from its sale.

Besides the religious and spiritual significance, Buli lake is an asset to the people of Buli in Nangkor Gewog of Zhemgang. Homestay, which is a relatively new concept in the village is fast becoming a lucrative business as an increasing number of pilgrims from across the country visit the sacred Buli Moenmo lake.  

The Royal Civil Service Commission has announced a major policy change regarding the selection of executives. According to a notification issued yesterday, candidates from the specialist category and outside the civil service and can now apply for civil service executive positions.

Local leaders in Samtse and Sarpang are calling for a change in the current construction approval process in rural areas. One of the new rules requires converting dry land into residential land to get construction approval in rural areas. During the recent Dzongkhag Tshogdus in the two districts, local leaders said the process is time-consuming and inconvenient.