Monthly Archives: December, 0

The Druk Gyalpo’s Relief Kidu has helped many people cope with the unprecedented challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the relief measures is the support for loan interest payment. It has benefited people from all walks of life. While all remain grateful for the intervention, some recipients of the Soelra are confused about how the interest waiver benefits them.

The Public Accounts Committee of the Parliament has directed the dzongkhag administrations and gewogs to resolve the unresolved irregularities and submit a report to the audit by this month. Recently, they met with the officials from Trashigang, Pema Gatshel, Trashi Yangtse, Monggar and Lhuentse.

Khandu Wangmo appealed to the High Court today. Last month, the Thimphu District Court sentenced her to nine years in prison for five charges, to be served concurrently.

As part of the celebrations to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of India’s independence, the Indian Embassy in Thimphu organised a conference today on the contribution of Assam to India’s freedom struggle. It also highlighted connectivity and collaborations between Assam and Bhutan. 

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

In one of the worst tragedies in the country, ten highlanders from Laya lost their lives after their tents were swept away by a landslide in June, this year. As we remember this tragic incident and the lives lost, we also remember the lives saved, and the team behind this rescue mission. BBS interviewed Doctor Urvashi Sharma from Bhutan Emergency Aeromedical Retrieval (BEAR) Team and Captain Abraham Harmse from the Royal Bhutan Helicopter Service Ltd. They were on duty during this rescue mission.

The life span of Bhutan's first satellite came to an end in November last year. But a team of Bhutanese space engineers is keeping the country's dream alive; by the end of this year, Bhutan will have a satellite in space again. The team is developing the country’s second satellite. It is a joint project with India. The engineers are working together with the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) in Bangalore, India. Currently, the team is in the country developing one of the components of the satellite.

The second term of the Local Government completes in October. The election will be held within 90 days after the five-year term ends. The...

After more than a year, Bhutan will receive its first tourist next week. She is an American who visited the country in 2019 as well. According to the Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB), there are many like her who have expressed their interest to visit Bhutan. However, they are yet to register with the council. As per a recent notification from the TCB, all incoming tourists will have to apply through a licensed Bhutanese tour operator. They will have to undergo the 21-day mandatory facility quarantine and also pay the daily sustainable development fee of USD 65 for the period. Moreover, they will be required to bear the charges for quarantine and COVID tests. 

The Election Commission of Bhutan (ECB) will soon decide on the arrangements to conduct the Functional Literacy and Possession of Skills Test in light of the pandemic. At the moment, the registration for the test for aspiring local government candidates is ongoing. It will go on until the mid of next month.