Monthly Archives: December, 0

The Dzongkhag Tshogdu (DT) in Samtse discussed the need for a new dzong, yet again. Talks of a new dzong in Samtse began when the first local government took office in 2011. In the DT, the dzongkhag planning office informed that a new dzong is only possible in the next five-year plan.

The Thimphu District Court sentenced 12 former employees of Bhutan National Bank Limited to a year in prison for forgery. The judgment which was passed today convicted them of forging their documents to apply for the post of support staff in BNBL. However, they can pay in lieu of the prison term within ten days.

Countries in the region are grappling with the second wave of COVID-19. The risk of an outbreak in the country is also very high. In view of this, the health ministry has introduced mobilising mobile flu clinic permanently in Thimphu and Phuentshogling which was a pilot project initiated during the second lockdown.

Although the Tobacco Control Act of Bhutan 2010 requires all businesses and workplaces to display "No-smoking signs in their respective areas, many are found not complying with the Act. In the last five years, the Bhutan Narcotics Control Authority (BNCA) penalised almost 20 shops and offices for failing to do so. The authority levies Nu 10,000 in fines per incident for failing to display the 'No smoking signs.'

The Home Minister has submitted a resignation letter to the Speaker of the National Assembly, recently. According to the speaker, the cabinet will first follow the due process regarding Lyonpo's step-down from the minister's post. The Speaker said, the National Assembly will then follow the rules of procedure. As per sources, the cabinet will carry out the acceptance of the resignation this week.

Practising journalists in the country have had their share of troubles while gathering information and reporting on various issues. Although Bhutan is ranked 65th by the World Press Freedom Index, two positions up from last year, the country is still identified as 'orange'. It means media in Bhutan operate in a problematic environment. Many Bhutanese journalists agreed with the report and said that access to information especially in bureaucratic offices is still a major challenge.

The Samdrup Jongkhar COVID-19 Taskforce is waiting for the test result of the primary contacts of the 36-year-old woman who tested positive for COVID-19 from the community earlier today in Samdrup Jongkhar. According to officials, the lockdown will depend on the test results which will be out by today.  

The recent earthquake reportedly affected some 150 houses and institutions in Pema Gatshel. And most of the structures were two-storied houses. Hence, residents are now planning to build only single-storied houses as the risk is higher in multi-storied houses. 

The winners of the district leagues of Thimphu, Paro, Punakha, and Sarpang will directly play the country's top division league, Bhutan Premier League (BPL), this year. This is after the Bhutan Football Federation (BFF) decides to do away with the conduct of Bhutan Super League 2021. The decision was made because of the current COVID-19 situation in the country.

Most local entrepreneurs operating Cottage and Small Industries (CSIs) still struggle to thrive in the Bhutanese market that is heavily influenced by relatively cheaper and imported products. High production costs, limited human capacity and lack of a bigger market are some of the challenges entrepreneurs are facing today.