The Bhutanese Leading the way.
In response to a question at the monthly meet the press the Prime Minister and Economic Affairs minister both said that the Eastern Development Initiative (EDI), a special initiative to develop the six dzongkhags of eastern Bhutan was already being implemented. Lyonpo Norbu Wangchuk said, “EDI is a big umbrella …
Read More »OAG to let ACC take final call on appealing Lhakhang Karpo verdict
The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has said that it would go by the Anti Corruption Commission’s (ACC) decision on the issue of appealing the Lhakhang Karpo case to the High Court. Attorney General (AG) Shera Lhendup said, “As justice should not only be done but must seen to …
Read More »Govt to reassess all 2,674 glacial lakes and install additional early warning systems
Govt also assures that both P I and P II are flood proof and insured After the Lemthang Glacial Lake Overflow Flood (GLOF) that occurred on the Mochhu river on 28th June, the government has decided to go for a reassessment of all 2,674 glacial lakes in Bhutan’s highlands and …
Read More »RAA review of 10th plan Dzongkhag activities show waste, non-execution and delays
The Royal Audit Authority (RAA) in its 2014 Annual report has carried out a limited review of 10th plan activities covering 14 Dzongkhags and found wasteful expenditure, planned activities not being carried out and delays in various projects like farm roads, BHUs, school, irrigation canals, local government offices etc. Waste …
Read More »RAA Annual report says Nu 634 mn in irregularities and issues in 2014
The Royal Audit Authority (RAA) Annual report says the compared to Nu 261.46 mn in 2013 the irregularities in 2014 has increased by 142 percent at Nu 634 mn. In a comparative analysis for the last five years since 2010 this is the third highest figure. In 2010 there was …
Read More »Dungsam manufacturing only at limited capacity since January as three major parts breakdown
Hydro project contractors shift back to importing cement from India due to erratic supply issues Dungsam Cement, for quite some time fought a long and hard battle to get mega project contractors to buy cement entirely from them and succeeded in doing so. However, this time around the very plant …
Read More »RAA report shows Nu 3.5 bn extra cost and time delay for P-I sinking zone could have been avoided
GSI report in February 2009 before tender was given had indicated faults in right bank that needed additional investigation The narrative in the Punatsangchu-I project so far has been that the sinking right side of the dam was a ‘geological surprise’ that became a major problem only from July 2013 …
Read More »P-I delay of 2.5 years to costs nation Nu 38 bn in notional revenue loss
A joint audit report by the Royal Audit Authority (RAA) and the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has estimated that the Bhutan would be losing Nu 15.97 bn in notional revenue loss for every year of the 1200 MW Punatsangchu I project being delayed. With the project being …
Read More »Broke Indian discoms and GoI power production plans pose questions on Bhutan’s unlimited hydropower market pitch
Bhutanese officials say no reason to worry The financial viability and sustainability of Bhutan’s 10,000 MW hydro project construction plans and other additional projects all depend on selling surplus power to India. The main economic argument so far is that demand for power in the Indian market is close to …
Read More »Draft Public Private Partnership policy invites private sector to provide infrastructure and services
Two main economic challenges that have bedeviled the government is the weak condition of Bhutan’s private sector and also limited resources to provide a host of public infrastructure and services. In an effort to address both of the above, the Ministry of Economic Affairs has come up with a draft …
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