Monthly Archives: December, 0

With Nganglam Throm in Pema Gatshel under lockdown until further notice, the Election Commission of Bhutan (ECB) started facilitating the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) mobile voting booths yesterday. The facilitation is for those who are above 65 years and persons with disabilities. Meanwhile, other eligible voters are given the opportunity to vote through mobile postal ballot voting facilitation. More than 500 registered for both mobile and postal ballot voting facilities. 

The armyworm outbreak has been affecting farmers in the eastern regions lately. Likewise, the infestation has damaged over sixty acres of maize field in three chiwogs of Shumar Gewog in Pema Gatshel. The affected farmers of more than fifty households are worried about the yield this year. 

Bhutan This Week-- a look back into the week's top news stories from across the Kingdom. Watch Bhutan This Week on Saturday at @10:30 pm

The National Assembly decided to lift the ban on selling, distributing, buying, possessing, and transporting tobacco or tobacco products in the country today. This is in light of the continuous smuggling of tobacco products through the country's porous southern border, as well as the threats of COVID-19 distribution. However, the ban on the production and manufacturing of tobacco and tobacco products in the country is still retained. The house will adopt the Bill tomorrow forward it to the National Council for consideration.

As opposed to the National Assembly's recommendation, the Office of the Prime Minister will continue to function under the Cabinet Secretariat. This was what the joint committee of the Lhengye Zhungtshog Bill, 2020 recommended. The joint sitting of the Parliament endorsed the recommendation today. The National Assembly, during the fourth session of the third Parliament, recommended that there should be a dedicated Secretariat office for the Prime Minister which the National Council did not approve.

Today, the National Assembly unanimously agreed to do away with the Sales Tax on tobacco and tobacco products. The government introduced the Tax Bill of Bhutan 2021 for the tax revision as an interim measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19. It was found that most cases in relation to the breach of COVID-19 protocols in the areas along the Southern border were the results of the black market and smuggling of tobacco and tobacco products.

To ensure sterilization and proper management of the unsterilized dogs in the district, Tsirang signed a roadmap with the Livestock Department earlier this week. The district sterilized more than 1,600 dogs during a mass dog sterilization and vaccination programme recently. The remaining 270 dogs could not be sterilized either for being too young for sterilization or for being located in remote areas.

Come November, local vegetable vendors in Toedpaisa Gewog in Punakha will have a proper and safer market shed to sell vegetables. A 28-unit Organic Product Centre is being constructed at Bjichulum. Today, the foundation works for the construction of the centre is ongoing in full swing.

The focus is shifting. An increasing number of farmers in Paro and Thimphu are growing other crops in their paddy fields. And this, according to experts, has led to a decrease in the area used for rice cultivation adding pressure on the country's target of achieving rice self-sufficiency.

The National Council members are disappointed with the Speaker's decision to defer the deliberations on the Mines and Minerals (Amendment) Bill, 2020 indefinitely. The National Council's Chairperson Tashi Dorji said the Bill is now as good as a Dead Bill adding it is not a fair decision.