The Bhutanese Newspaper’s 21st September news article and post on MP Tshewang Lhamo’s view that the Constitution and Bhutan Penal code should be amended to give the death penalty for rape of children under 12 has elicited a lot of debate. Even before her personal views, it was clear that the …

With reports of heinous crimes against children every alternate day, it is clear that we have a national and social problem on our hands. The problem has to be tackled at two levels: One is the successful prosecution of the crime and second more important bit is prevention. On the …

The Thimphu District Court on 27th August 2019 convicted the Home Minister Lyonpo Dasho Sherub Gyeltshen for claiming vehicle insurance worth Nu 226,546 fraudulently. After the verdict the Home Minister did not step down as the prevailing opinion at the time was that he can appel to the High Court within …

Concerns over impact on exports, tourism, more expensive imports and joint projects The first chapter of Bhutan’s National Budget Report for the financial year of 2018-19 says that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has estimated growth for India to be around 7.3 percent in 2019 and 7.5 percent in 2020 …

The Royal Civil Service Commission (RCSC) despite a recommendation by the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) decided to not suspend Sherab Tenzin, Director General of the Department of Employment and Human Resources (DoEHR). The RCSC in a detailed press release cited sections of the Supreme Court verdict in the Gyelpozhing case …

In December 2017 the ACC had forwarded a case to the OAG with the charge that the former RICBL CEO, Namgyel Lhendup has embezzled Nu 237,907 from the Ex-gratia fund and CEO’s public relations fund of the RICBL without authorization from the management committee of the fund. The OAG, two …

The Royal Monetary Authority (RMA) is delighted with the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi approving an additional USD 100 mn under the Standby Swap Arrangement. Bhutan already had a USD 100 mn under the SAARC Currency Swap Framework agreement since 2013 which essentially meant that Bhutan in return for an …

But 5,000 to 6000 poor households in four Thromdes to get LPG One of the important announcements during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit was the enhancement of of subsidized LPG to Bhutan from the present 700 MT to 1000 MT per month to enable Bhutan to meet the increasing domestic …

Kholongchu to also be expedited In what is a strong statement of political intent on the so far static 2,560 MW Sunkosh hydro project, a joint statement during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit made reference to start the construction of the project. The joint statement of both the governments said, …

Before the 2018 elections the perception in many capitals, including Delhi, was that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) government stood a pretty good chance of making a comeback. There was also a good personal equation and chemistry between Dasho Tshering Tobgay and the more elderly PM Narendra Modi. New Delhi …