DEMOCRACY IN ACTION

The Royal Civil Service Commission (RCSC) will make the final decision on the petition seeking the transfer of the Zhemgang Dzongda after a fact-finding report found that five of the seven allegations against the Dzongda were not substantiated, Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay said during the 32nd Meet-the-Press session on 9th …

The Royal Government has directed the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) to review and reassess the underlying cost structures and assumptions behind proposed domestic electricity tariff revisions before any final rate adjustments are approved. The decision follows growing concerns regarding the potential economic impact of tariff hikes on domestic consumers, local …

Civil servants have existing procedures to appeal administrative decisions, but an independent Administrative Tribunal, which would provide a separate avenue to challenge such decisions, has yet to be established despite being provided for in the Constitution. Royal Civil Service Commission Commissioner Tshering Cigay said civil servants dissatisfied with decisions made …

Drainage improvements, slope stabilization and early warnings among measures to reduce recurring road damage The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport (MoIT) is strengthening road resilience against extreme weather, with a focus on drainage, slope stabilization, preventive maintenance and early warning systems to reduce recurring road damage. Speaking during the 32nd …

Bhutan has no psychiatrist specialised in old-age mental health, even as the country’s ageing population is increasing and older persons account for a disproportionate share of depression and dementia cases. Presenting on “Caring for Bhutan’s Older Persons” at the Fourth PEMA Symposium, Dr Sonam Wangchuk, Psychiatrist, Department of Psychiatry, JDWNRH, …

Students in Classes IX and XI are piloting Bhutan’s revised school curriculum this year using digital copies and printed chapter-wise materials, as the Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD) continues to develop and test the full textbooks before large-scale printing. A total of 143 textbook titles from Pre-Primary to …

As winter approaches, there are also concerns about pollution from waste burning and the compounding effects  of vehicular emission in the city. However, according to the Chief Environment Officer (CEO) of Thimphu Thromde, the issue of waste burning is very minimal in Thimphu as the Thromde receives as little as …

A 13-year-old boy allegedly stabbed his classmate at a school in Wangdue on 26th September. The Bhutanese contacted the school, where a school authority said the incident occurred during normal class timing. He said the students had become sleepy and asked the teacher if they could go outside to refresh …

LG leaders cite alleged administrative, financial and governance irregularities The fact-finding is underway following a petition by local government leaders of Zhemgang seeking the transfer of the Dzongda and an independent inquiry into what they allege are administrative, financial, procurement, technical and governance irregularities in the dzongkhag. The five-member fact-finding …

TB: What are your main priorities for strengthening Germany-Bhutan relations during your tenure? Ambassador Wieck: Bhutan and Germany established diplomatic relations six years ago and we are only at the beginning of the relationship and have to tap the full potential of it. Before we had formal diplomatic relations, we …