ISBS leads to a ‘Bhutan Studies’ in its own right and a better insight into Bhutan on its own terms As any Bhutanese will be acutely aware, Bhutan is broadly defined in two ways. One, is that of a small but strategically important country lodged in between two giants along …
Read More »Ex-PM’s Key-note address at Oxford focuses on Monarchy, Sovereignty, Culture, Democracy, Environment, GNH and welfare
The Former Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay delivered the main key note address at the Sheldonian Theatre in Oxford University on 9th January as the main event of the three-day International Society of Bhutan Studies (ISBS) conference. The topic given to the former PM was, ‘Does Bhutan Matter? Stories from …
Read More »Govt to lose Nu 212 mn in tax as 56 MPs’ Prado quotas issued
USD 3.8 mn impact on dollar reserves This is at a time when there is no money in the govt with Nu 9 bn T-Bill loans funding the govt 72 MPs including ministers are eligible to get Prado quotas Even before the MPs had their first Parliament session, around 57 …
Read More »Labour DG facilitated illegal license for BEO, ignored student complaints and sided with BEO: ACC Investigation
Ex-Minister and DG both took financial assistance from the Indian agent in the IIWS case but were at odds in the Japan case BEO is supposed to refund translation fees to students The Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) sent its investigation report to the OAG on Friday for prosecution of the …
Read More »India agrees to Nu 4.12 tariff and Nu 45 bn for 12th plan
A separate Nu 4 bn to tide over the GST transition The main priority of Lyonchhen (Dr) Lotay Tshering’s Delhi state visit of 27-29 December was in securing a good tariff rate for the upcoming 720 MW Mangdechu project. It has now emerged that the Indian government has agreed to …
Read More »New CBTE guidelines addresses concerns but guidelines awaited
The Cross Border Trade in Electricity (CBTE) of 5th December, 2016 which has been revised and renamed as the ‘Guidelines on Import/Export -2018,’ addresses many of the concerns expressed by Bhutan on the old CBTE. However, what will now be awaited is the detailed guidelines that will further detail out …
Read More »Ex-Labour Minister and DG’s family members benefitted from overseas training provider
According to a reliable source, the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC), in its investigation on the overseas employment case has come across findings in both the India case and the Japan case, and is expected to soon send the report to the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) for prosecution. In …
Read More »Civil Service: The focus of the 111th National Day Royal Address
Analysis By Tenzing Lamsang Every National Day address of His Majesty The King has focused on issues of national importance with both a view of current events and also a long term view of the future. If the timely 110th National Day celebration was about strengthening our security and sovereignty …
Read More »Indian tariff team offers 3.80 to 3.90 per unit but Bhutan wants 4.40 to 4.50 per unit in Mangdechu
Mangdechu tariff rate negotiations critical for 12th plan financing says PM Final tariff rate likely to be a political decision between the two PMs Not mincing any words, the Prime Minister, Lyonchhen (Dr) Lotay Tshering during the second Friday meet said that a major chunk of the internal revenue of …
Read More »No water in PM’s residence
At the second Friday meet, the Prime Minister, in response to a question on the government’s pledge on drinking and irrigation water -turned to his right and asked the Agriculture Minister, “Did you brush your teeth and wash your face this morning,” and after getting an affirmative reply he asked …
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The Bhutanese Leading the way.