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Bhutan Development Bank (BDB) launched a collateral-free community development loan worth Nu 1 billion as part of its micro-lending program which received over 30 inquiries with 12 applications submitted. As of 9 March 2024, only three loans have been approved. Although the loan was introduced in November 2023, its actual …

From January to mid-March 2024, the Royal Bhutan Police (RBP) registered 352 cases related to drug abuse and arrested 628 individuals. From the 628 arrests, 533 individuals have been sent for deaddiction treatment and 92 individuals are under police custody, charged for illegal trafficking. As usual, Thimphu is leading with …

Research studies have shown that having a break, such as day off on Saturday, can have a positive effect on students’ learning outcomes and overall well-being.  A report conducted by The Hindu Newspaper found out that students who had enough rest were more likely to retain information, stay focused during …

The Division of Telecom and Space (DoTS) under the GovTech Agency has conducted two satellite projects. The first project led to the launch of the country’s first satellite called BHUTAN-1 on the 29 June 2018 through the Falcon 9 Full Thrust rocket. The second project was a collaboration between Bhutan …

Due to the Human-wildlife conflict threatening both livelihoods and biodiversity in Bhutan, the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (MoENR) followed by Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MoAL) has unveiled strategies as part of its 13th Five-Year Plan to tackle the issue. With nearly 60 percent of the population directly …

In January 2024, Bhutan witnessed a year-on-year increase in its Consumer Price Index (CPI) by 4.32 percent, compared to the same period in the previous year, according to data released by the National Statistics Bureau (NSB). Food prices drive upward trend while certain sectors experience decline. NSB reported that the …

Individual Work Plan (IWP) is used to outline an individual employee’s goals, responsibilities, and performance expectations for a specific period, typically a year, introduced by the Royal Civil Service Commission (RCSC) in 2017. Its aim is to focus on individual’s efforts and their contributions, upon which the civil servants can …

Saga Dawa, observed on the 15th Day of the 4th Lunar Month, carries a great importance for Buddhists worldwide. Bhutan observes the auspicious month by prohibiting the sale of meat, even though meat curries are allowed to be served in restaurants, and canned meats are okay to be sold. The …

The Trashiyangtse district court has issued a ten-year prison sentence to a 28-year-old man for the rape of a 16-year-old girl. The incident took place in Kuenzangling village under Tongzhang Gewog, Trashiyangste Dzongkhag. The incident was reported to the police by the victim’s mother. The convict and the victim initially …

In a bid to enhance healthcare services and alleviate congestion during regular hours, the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital (JDWNRH) resumed its Special Consultation Services (SCS) in October 2023. However, while patients appreciate the extended consultation hours with specialists, there is growing discontent with the token system in place. …