ABOUT TOWN

 The Member of Parliament from the Lamgong Wangchang Constituency, Sonam Tashi, asked the Ministry of Industry Commerce and Employment (MoICE) regarding the insufficient maternity and paternity leave in the corporate and private sectors in the country. He stated that while civil service institutions and DHI-owned companies have introduced progressive policies …

The government aims to commission a total installed hydropower capacity of 3,101 MW with a combined design energy output of 13,801 GWh by 2031. This includes several large and small hydropower projects currently under construction across the country, with commissioning timelines ranging from 2025 to 2031. Among the major undertakings …

While presenting the Annual Budget for the Fiscal Year 2025–2026, the Finance Minister said the budget was developed with the theme “Accelerating Prosperity and Social Transformation through Enterprise, Innovation, and Efficiency.” The Finance Secretary added that this is a performance-based budget and noted that the fiscal deficit of the 2024-25 …

Member of Parliament (MP) Tashi Tenzin of Radhi-Sakteng said students are granted a 15-day break in July. He pointed out that this shortened break coincides with critical agricultural activities such as paddy and maize cultivation. Given that over 69,000 Bhutanese households rely on farming, the MP argued that a longer …

Stroke remains one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 12 million people experience a stroke each year, leading to nearly 6.5 million deaths from its effects. Once considered a condition affecting primarily older populations, strokes are now increasingly being …

Hoteliers in the country are expressing growing concern over a significant drop in room rates for Three-Star hotels, citing oversupply and reduced tourist inflow as primary reasons behind the issue. According to a hotelier in Thimphu, the rates for a night’s stay at Three-Star hotels, which were previously fixed under …

Opposition warns of rising dropouts and disruption to national service In a letter to the Prime Minister submitted on 15 May, the Opposition Party argued that the decision to reintroduce the Class X cut-off point is not only “redundant” but also “potentially harmful to Bhutan in general and Bhutanese youth …

The 1,125 Megawatt (MW) Dorjilung Hydropower Project (DHPP) is on track for completion by 2032, following technical clearance from the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (MoENR) to Druk Green Power Corporation (DGPC) in February this year, with the preparatory works expected to begin in June 2025. The project, located …

The introduction of Starlink in Bhutan has intensified competition in the country’s internet market. Promising high-speed satellite internet, Starlink aims to provide connectivity even in the most remote locations. However, established telecom providers like TashiCell and Bhutan Telecom argue that their existing infrastructure already meets the needs of most Bhutanese …

The Druk Green Power Corporation Limited (DGPC) signed a contract agreement with a joint venture comprising Telecommunications Consultants India Limited, Smart Roof Solar Solution Pvt. Ltd., and Enerture Technologies Pvt. Ltd. in April this year. Under the agreement, the joint venture will undertake the design, supply, installation, testing, and commissioning …