On 17th December 2024 a 43-year-old Sonam Tobgay, from Katsho Gewog, Haa, was caught by Chinese border guards in Tibet (China) carrying a tightly wrapped package. The package was later found to be around 900 grams of ‘brown-sugar’ or heroin, and Sonam now faces either the death sentence or a …

The Royal Monetary Authority (RMA) is currently in the process of reviewing the framework of the Minimum Lending Rate (MLR) with the main aim being to lower the lending rates. RMA is carrying out the exercise to soften the loan repayment burden, as the loan deferral comes to an end, …

First time home owners, disabled or children and spouse disabled, parents with more children, salaried class, small businesses, big businesses etc. to all benefit The Income Tax Bill 2025 has major changes that will put more money in the pockets of salaried people, small businesses, and even large corporations. Personal …

One of the important legislations under the wider tax reforms is the Excise Tax Bill 2025 that places Excise Tax on Tobacco and related products, Alcohol and alcoholic beverages, Pan Masala or Supari, Aerated waters (Carbonated drinks) and Vehicles. The cumulative effect of the flat 7% Goods and Services Tax …

Around a week ago, The Bhutanese received a request for a meeting with the German Ambassador, Dr Philipp Ackerman, who was coming to Bhutan on a visit. This reporter met with the Ambassador on Wednesday, who said the main reason for him wanting to meet the newspaper was the paper’s …

The Tsirang Dzongkhag Court has issued its verdict in the Damphu Building Case, in which the Dzongkhag Administration and the municipality had cut off water and electricity to the building located in Damphu town. This action was taken after the basement of the building was used as an area to …

The Paro Dzongkhag Court will be giving a deferred judgment in the embezzlement case of the former Paro BNB Bank Teller in the Nu 7.9 million (mn) embezzlement case. This essentially means that the case is temporarily closed, and the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) can only charge her …

The 2024-25 annual budget allocated Nu 38.344 billion (bn) in capital budget, but many have been questioning the impact on the ground with not much visible major works and limited economic impact on the economy, which is primarily driven by government expenditure. Some have even been theorizing a resource or …

A major tax change that is being proposed in the upcoming Parliamentary session is doing away with the Business Income Tax (BIT) entirely, and instead replacing it with the Personal Income Tax (PIT). Currently, companies that are not incorporated or are single proprietor-owned, like grocery shops, restaurants, etc., come under …

On 6th May media outlets in Thailand reported that Denis Bichuk, a 36-year-old Russian, admitted to smuggling 415.72 grams of hashish to Thailand that he claimed he picked up in Bhutan and ingested in condoms to avoid customs’ check. Denis was arrested by Police in the island of Koh Phangan …