In a significant step towards promoting inclusivity and menstrual hygiene management, Red Dot Bhutan in collaboration with various partners celebrated the inauguration of eight inclusive Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities in the country. At Khuruthang Middle Secondary School in Punakha, an inclusive toilet was unveiled marking this year’s Menstrual Hygiene Day.

Despite the erstwhile Labour Ministry making it mandatory for all private companies to join the provident fund or PF scheme with an authorised financial institution last year, some private employees allege their employers of not having joined the scheme. This is despite their companies deducting five per cent of their salary for supposed contributions to the scheme. In the last five years, authorities registered 110 cases related to non-payment of post-retirement benefits from which 39 had to be forwarded to the court.

Starting Tuesday, professional driving license holders and commercial drivers will be required to undergo drug tests. The test is a collaborative effort between the Royal Bhutan Police and the Bhutan Construction and Transport Authority. According to a news release from the National Drug Task Force issued this morning, the initiative aims to address behavioural and mental health disorders triggered by substance use and provide effective treatment and care for those who need it. As stated in the news release, the drivers will be contacted and required to report to the nearest Drug Testing Center. However, drivers who voluntarily admit to drug use will be referred to the nearest treatment centres without the need for drug tests. There are plans to expand the screening and timely interventions to include civil servants, corporate and private employees and armed force personnel among others.

In Pema Gatshel, a former tour guide has discovered a new passion and purpose as the owner of a broiler chicken farm at Durungri of Dungmin Gewog. With 500 chicks initially bought with the help of the Big-Ticket Project, he set out to not only create employment opportunities but also contribute to import substitution.

The farmers of Toedtsho Gewog in Trashi Yangtse have been without an agriculture extension supervisor for almost two years now. Without a dedicated official, besides the farmers, the gewog office is also facing difficulties in planning and implementing agriculture-related development activities. Though Khamdang Gewog’s agriculture Extension supervisor has been temporarily monitoring activities in Toedtsho Gewog, farmers say they still face inconveniences.

With the approach of monsoon season, the Phuentshogling Dungkhag and Thromde officials are looking at preventive measures for landslides. Today the officials along with volunteers planted over three thousand bamboo saplings in about three acres of the area below the Rinchending Monastery.