In what will be the first high level visit in more than two years since Bhutan closed its borders due to the pandemic, the Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar will be making an official visit on 29 April 2022. The visit follows an invitation extended to the MEA …
Read More »IOC gives an unsatisfactory break up of fuel prices
For around four months the Department of Trade (DoT) had been trying everything officially and unofficially to get a break up of the fuel prices charged to Bhutan by fuel Oil companies in India. This is especially after the much lower base rate (minus taxes) charged to Indian dealers, and …
Read More »RAA asks for BCSR action after Chukha Dzongkhag Audit to fix accountability
Normally, when the Royal Audit Authority (RAA) audits an agency it places accountability at various levels and follows up in the following years. However, the RAA will no longer fix accountability only in its Audit reports via Audit clearances etc, but it is now taking accountability to another level by …
Read More »The curious case of Dil Bahadur Chhetri Neopani
One main evidence used to convict 56-year-old Dil Bahadur Chhetri Neopani (DB Chhetri), former Officiating Principal of Gosarling School, was his written statement to the police on 6 November 2019 on the day of his arrest. He read out the same statement to the police in an on-camera recording, which …
Read More »Fuel cost could go up as Govt Committee recommends hiking transportation charge for tankers carrying fuel
Around 6% of fuel price already goes to dealers to cover costs and returns You may think your fuel price is high enough, but it could go slightly higher if the government approves the recommendation of a government committee to revise fuel transportation rates for tankers of oil distributors. Currently, …
Read More »Bhutan may have lost billions due to overcharging by Oil Companies in India
Oil Companies shy away from sharing fuel cost break up Nepal buying same fuel from same companies at cheaper rate than Bhutan Last week, this paper did a story showing the vast differences in prices between what Indian Oil Companies charge fuel pumps in India as compared to Bhutan including …
Read More »BHEL and MHPA resolve issues amicably as two Governments step in
Outstanding Nu 70 mn BVT Commission not to be paid In August 2021, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), an Indian Public Sector Undertaking (PSU), had taken Mangdechu Hydro electric Project (MHPA) to Delhi High Court after MHPA said it would deduct Nu 250 mn of BHEL’s Nu 700 mn bank …
Read More »The issues behind MoH’s change in COVID-19 death definition
Since the first COVID death in 7 January 2021 till the 10th death on 27 March 2022, Bhutan followed the Center for Diseases Control (CDC) USA and the Regional WHO definitions which classifies any death with COVID-19 as a COVID death. Exceptions are made in cases like vehicle accidents or …
Read More »High Bhutanese oil fuel prices linked to large and hidden profit margins by Indian Oil companies
A large and recent surge of petrol and diesel prices in Bhutan has not only increased transportation rates, but is having a knock on effect on all other commodities from food to construction materials. The price of petrol in Thimphu is 95.21 and diesel is 100.5 while it is 92.79 …
Read More »Kholongchu held up over Bhutan’s 20% role in construction of Dam and Power house
After crossing several hurdles, the 600 MW Kholongchu had started the process of tendering, but here again disagreements with the Joint Venture partner partner Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN) has held up the project. An official in the know said that it had been agreed that 20 percent of the …
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The Bhutanese Leading the way.