The Bhutanese Leading the way.
The Nu 5 bn Economic Stimulus Plan which was recently submitted by the National Level Task Force to the government is currently under discussion in the first round of Bhutan-India Development Cooperation talks along with discussions on aid for the 11th plan. The talks are from 15th August to 17th …
Read More »PDP’s sea of promises faces a pond of limited budget
Compared to the 2008 General elections where parties made promises more in sync with the draft 10th plan, the 2013 elections saw all political parties making ambitious promises even going far beyond the draft 11th plan. PDP which got elected is now facing the unenviable task of fulfilling its share …
Read More »ACC says fight against corruption is going strong but more support is needed
A slew of the latest reports from the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) including its 2012-2013 Annual Report submitted to the new Parliament showS that corruption is still a major challenge and more needs to be done to tackle it. However, there is also good news as the perception of corruption …
Read More »Failure of Bhutan’s GNH Economy
Gross National Happiness (GNH) is Bhutan’s main umbrella developmental philosophy that governs all government policies and programs. First coined in 1972 by the former King Jigme Singye Wangchuk, GNH comprises of four main pillars which are Sustainable and Equitable Socio-Economic Development, Preservation and Promotion of Culture, Conservation and Sustainable Environment …
Read More »Ministers will be replaced if they cannot perform or get into ‘controversies’
The PDP government has come up with a Draft Code of Conduct for its elected MPs including the ministers which allows for the replacement of Cabinet Ministers who fail to perform or get into major controversies like corruption cases. The Draft Code of Conduct has around 18 general points for …
Read More »PM in austerity mode as he rejects luxury duty vehicles, bunga low, pilots, security guards, and protocol
In what is a clear signal to the government machinery, the Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay has rejected the Luxury Crown vehicle and Toyota Land Cruiser sent for his duty by the Cabinet Secretariat. The Cabinet Secretary Dasho Penden Wangchuk said, “The Prime Minister has declined to accept the Toyota Crown …
Read More »CEC rules out any foul play in postal ballots and the election process
The Chief Election Commissioner Dasho Kunzang Wangdi in an interview with The Bhutanese Editor-in-Chief Tenzing Lamsang addresses some questions on fairness of the 2013 race Q. Some people have questioned why reporters were asked to move out while postal ballots were being counted. Could you please clarify and also state …
Read More »Bhutan to gain more by selling electricity cheaper within the country than exporting it at higher rates say business houses
One of the main arguments for a domestic tariff hike by Bhutan Power Corporation (BPC) and Druk Green Power Corporation (DGPC) is that it is more profitable to export electricity at higher rates than have it used at lower rates by the domestic industry. The export figures also back them …
Read More »BPC proposes an electrifying increase in your electric bills
If the Bhutan Power Corporation’s proposed electricity tariff hike is accepted by the Bhutan Electricity Authority (BEA) and the cabinet, then you and your family could well be paying three to four times more in electricity bills. As per BPC’s latest domestic tariff increase proposal, the low voltage users or …
Read More »MEA to still withdraw Chhukha tariff subsidy but PTC now finds buyers willing to pay more
Bhutan to still get Nu 2 per unit Clearing the confusion over the withdrawal of the Chhukha tariff subsidy, the Indian ambassador VP Haran confirmed that the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) was withdrawing the 45 paisa subsidy given to the Power Trading Corporation (PTC) of India. However, he said …
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