Monthly Archives: December, 0

With the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, like many other countries, Bhutan also digitalized its education system. However, according to the Member of Parliament of Khar-Yurung, Tshering Chhoden, the quality of education in remote parts of the country has been compromised due to low internet speed. She asked the government's plans and measures to address the issue during the question hour session of the National Assembly yesterday.

The National Council, yesterday shared their dissatisfaction with the government's response concerning the recommendation on the review of the Renewable Natural Resources Marketing Policy.

An outbreak of the African Swine Fever in Phuentshogling has killed more than 40 pigs in the past few weeks. According to officials, it is the first time the highly contagious viral disease is being reported in the country. Livestock officials detected the outbreak after three stray pigs were found dead near the Phuentshogling-Jaigaon border area three weeks ago. Samples collected from the dead animals were sent for an RT-PCR test. It tested positive for the African Swine Fever. However, the virus is not a threat to humans.

Two men from Samtse and Gelegphu are in custody for an alleged multiple stabbing case in Paro. The incident happened yesterday at around 9 pm in the workshop area near the town.

In just nine days, Lauri and Serthig Gewogs in Samdrup Jongkhar reported 124 COVID-19 positive cases. The Regional and the Dzongkhag COVID-19 Task Force suspect mass gathering on several occasions as the potential contributing factors to the rising COVID-19 cases in the two gewogs. Currently, both the places are under lockdown.

The finance minister presented the National Budget of more than Nu 80bn for the financial year 2021-2022 in the National Assembly today. Of the total, the government has allocated more than Nu 35bn for recurrent expenditure and Nu 38bn as capital expenditure. The finance minister said that the budget was formulated based on the theme of "ensuring sustained economic stability for a resilient recovery."

The government is hopeful of administering the second dose of AstraZeneca vaccine for the country's eligible population in the next four weeks. As per the health ministry's guideline, the second dose is due after eight to 12 weeks from the day of the first dose. Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering said today marks eight weeks and two days after the country administered the first dose on March 27.

The government's plan to propose waiving the 30 per cent import tax on sanitary products during this parliament session is welcomed by many. Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering announced the initiative today coinciding with the International Menstrual Hygiene Day. 

To mark the Menstrual Hygiene Day today, the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Alumni Bhutan with support from the KOICA Bhutan World Friends Program Office in Thimphu handed over more than Nu 200,000 worth of menstrual products to the education ministry.

The opposition accused the government of achieving minimal outcomes reducing the 12th Five Year Plan capital budget during the question hour session of the National Assembly, today. Claiming the outcomes of the Mid-Term Review of the 12th Five Year Plan are worrying, the opposition asked for the government's plans to ensure better outcomes.