Monthly Archives: December, 0

Some lost their jobs, some businesses are struggling to stay afloat and a lot of projects are at stake. It is not a nice thing to say or write. But it is the fact. The pandemic has disrupted the economy and businesses globally, and continues to affect lives across all sections of society. In the country, one of the biggest environmental projects, the Bhutan Sustainable Low Emission Urban Transport System is delayed because of the pandemic leaving some taxi drivers in a helpless situation.

The students of Phuentshogling who have been relocated to Punakha have begun moving to their new campus from today. With sporadic community infections ongoing in Phuentshogling, schools have remained closed while students have been learning their lessons online. In line with His Majesty’s concern over the impact on their education, the Southern COVID-19 Task Force recommended moving the students of classes IX and above to a low-risk zone.

Climate change is a giant but it doesn’t mean advocacies about it should be big. It can be small. Messages on climate change and the environment can be in the form of art. That’s exactly what UN Bhutan did in the past few days in collaboration with Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). The agencies collaborated to conduct an Art for Change roadshow at Wangbama Central School in Thimphu.

Paro FC defeated Ugyen Academy FC 3-0 in the ongoing BoB Bhutan Premier League at Punakha today. The home team, Ugyen Academy FC conceded an early goal in the first half of the game. Paro FC hammered in two more goals in the second half sealing the victory. Paro FC are now level on points with Thimphu City FC in the league table.

The concept of intellectual property is still new to most Bhutanese and so is its popularity. The Department of Intellectual Property is in its budding stage with so many rooms for strengthening its service. According to the Intellectual Property Resource and Management Diagnostic Report 2021, which was launched yesterday, the department can adopt better regulatory practices to improve service delivery.

Unlike in the past, a student can no longer rely on their continuous assessment marks to make up should they fail in the written exam. This is because they now have to score at least 40 per cent in both written exam and continuous assessments. Earlier, a student could still pass even if he/she fails in the written but has high continuous assessment marks. The education ministry implemented the new assessment criteria from this academic session.

As the new subsidised timber allotment rule continue to cause inconvenience to the rural population, people of Bumthang want the old rule reinstated. They say the quota per household under the new regulation is not enough. According to the amended Forest and Nature Conservation Rules and Regulations, a household is entitled to only 18 sawing timber (drashing) once every 25 years. Earlier, it was 80 standing trees and eight drashings. 

The Sarpang COVID-19 Task Force issued a three-day closure notice to 13 business entities in the district from today for not complying with COVID-19 safety protocols despite repeated reminders by the task force.

The residents of Samdrupchhoeling Dungkhag in Samdrup Jongkhar are pleading for a new bridge over the Nyera-Amachhu. People say the present bridge is unsafe as it is narrow without a proper footpath for pedestrians. It also risks being washed away in summer when the river swells up. 

The body of the third missing student of Baylling Central School in Trashi Yangtse was recovered from the Manas river in Panbang yesterday. A forester spotted the body in the river. The parents have identified the body.