Bhutan InfoComm and Media Authority (BICMA) has temporarily suspended issuing new entertainment licenses to open entertainment clubs since last month. Entertainment centres include drayangs, discotheques, Karaoke, snooker and video game parlours.
BICMA says the issuance of licence will be suspended until they come up with a study. Citing other reasons, BICMA officials said, the temporary suspension is to find out whether the existing entertainment centres are following regulations that are in place or not. Today, Thimphu has more than 80 entertainment centres.
“We need to conduct a study and see what would be the appropriate number of entertainments places required for city like Thimphu,” said Wangay Dorji, the Chief Communication Officer of Licensing and Compliance Division of BICMA.
He also pointed out that after the findings are complete, BICMA and Thromde will be in a position to improve the quality of entertainment centres including security and safety.
“We want to come out with the research findings, to see whether the allegations on the places of entertainment is true or not. Whether we have glorified the entertainment market or not. So based on the findings, we will take actions accordingly,” Wangay Dorji added.
The study is being carried out jointly by BICMA and Thimphu Thromde.
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