Public memory is generally short, but most will still remember that Bhutan was largely without internet from 21st May evening to a large part of 22nd May 2020 when Cyclone Amphan impacted both Bhutan Telecom and Tashi Cell’s lines coming via Kolkata. Both of Bhutan’s International Gateways come through Kolkata …
Read More »Long delayed Dorjilung gets a mention at Bhutan-Bangladesh meeting
The joint statement from Bhutan and Bangladesh said that the Prime Ministers of Bhutan and Bangladesh noted the substantial progress made in the past towards signing an MOU among Bangladesh, Bhutan and India on trilateral cooperation in hydro-electricity. The reference is to the long delayed 1,125 MW run of the …
Read More »Lyonchhen says vaccines are safe and will allow relaxation of restrictions, quarantine and reopening of tourism
He said all people should come forward so that around 80 percent of the total population is vaccinated to have herd immunity Talking to The Bhutanese over the phone while in quarantine, the Prime Minister Dasho (Dr) Lotay Tshering urged fellow Bhutanese to come forward for the vaccination and he …
Read More »SMCL plans to bring in a third big buyer from Nepal to break the Duopoly
The State Mining Corporation Limited (SMCL) rocked by corruption allegations and an ACC investigation into its export of Gypsum to Nepal is planning to bring in a third major buyer to try and break the Duopoly or the Nepal Gypsum Syndicate. The SMCL is likely to put up the name …
Read More »ACC starts investigation into Gypsum scam by seizing documents and computers in SMCL
The Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) launched its formal investigation into allegations of corruption in the sale of Gypsum by launching a raid in the State Mining Corporation Limited’s (SMCL) office in Samdrup Jongkhar on 15th March afternoon. The ACC seized documents, computers, laptops and phones of the the SMCL General …
Read More »Gypsum scam accused put up false denials
Two days before an ACC raid on the offices and homes of the Gypsum scam accused, the main accused in the scam in Bhutan, a syndicate member from Nepal and two transport partners in India put up detailed denials through a news article in a local private newspaper. The lengthy …
Read More »The mystery of Bhutanese Gypsum, the Nepal market and a controversial past
Before SMCL took over in 2019 the main market for Bhutan’s Gypsum was in India in the North-East, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Sikkim and Bihar which have no Gypsum mines. Nepal and to an extent Bangladesh were always the much smaller markets barely comprising around 10 to 15% under Druk …
Read More »PM says no major decision on auction of mines during pandemic and until Mining Act is ready
NA and NC form joint committee on Mines and Minerals Bill 2020 to resolve major differences The National Assembly and National Council have recently agreed to form a joint committee for resolving major differences on the Mines and Minerals Bill 2020. The Bill which had been passed in the National Assembly had …
Read More »Jigme Mining to distribute 1.2 bn bid money to 443 shareholders as govt holds on to the mine
A record breaking 5831 % return is being provided to shareholders Jigme Mining Corporation Limited (JMCL) which managed the Chunaikhola Dolomite mine from 2005 to 2020 is set to liquidate its company by distributing its bid money war chest of Nu 1.2 bn to its shareholders. In addition, it will …
Read More »SMCL gets around double the price for Dolomite compared to its predecessor
The State Mining Corporation Limited (SMCL) took charge of the Chunaikhola Dolomite mines from Jigme Mining Corporation Limited (JMCL) in September 2020 and started operations from 7th November 2020. It did not have the right to sell until 9th January 2021 as SMCL has to wait for JMCL to clear …
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The Bhutanese Leading the way.