DEMOCRACY IN ACTION

Bhutan has a growing alcohol crisis that is draining the country’s economy and overwhelming the health system. According to the Health Minister, Tandin Wangchuk, the nation incurs an estimated annual loss of Nu 6.5 billion (bn) due to alcohol-related harm, which is equivalent to 2.6 percent of Bhutan’s Gross Domestic …

In response to the Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority (CCAA)’s recommendation to explore beef imports to address domestic shortages, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MoAL) has clarified that there is no ban on beef importation into Bhutan. MoAL emphasized that beef and other meat products can be imported as …

Although the overall unemployment rate dropped to 3.6 percent in 2025, youth unemployment remains high at 17.1 percent. With more graduates  to enter the job market this year, the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Employment (MoICE) has laid out steps to create jobs and support young people transitioning from school …

As the June deadline approaches for the end of loan deferments granted to hotels affected  during the COVID-19 pandemic, banks have begun reaching out to hoteliers to evaluate their financial readiness to resume repayments. Several hotel owners have been receiving calls from loan officers in recent weeks. One hotelier said, …

Bhutan’s press freedom ranking has fallen by five positions, from 147th in 2024 to 152nd in 2025, according to the latest World Press Freedom Index released by Reporters Without Borders (RSF).   The ranking is for 180 countries. Bhutan now ranks among those classified under a “difficult” press freedom situation. The …

On 12th July 2024, farmer Gyem Gyeltshen, through his legal representative, decided to sue the Druk Air seeking compensation for the deaths of his 38-year-old wife, Dresang Dema, and his four-year-old daughter, Nima Peday, in a helicopter crash on 3rd March 2023. He is also seeking compensation for injuries and …

Bhutan and European Union mark 40 years of partnership with renewed commitments on “Governance, Climate, and Investment” The Royal Government of Bhutan (RGoB) and the European Union (EU) reinforced the strong partnership bond during the 13th Annual Consultations held in Thimphu on 22nd April 2025. This marks four decades of …

Between 2021 and 2024, over 3,500 teachers, that is more than a third of the national teaching workforce, left their positions, many of whom were seasoned educators with over a decade of experience. This attrition has left schools, particularly in rural areas, struggling to maintain adequate staffing levels despite the …

Hoteliers have raised concerns over T Bank’s recent decision to increase interest rates on existing loans, a move they fear could further destabilize their already fragile financial situation of the hotel industry. A hotelier, who availed a capital loan in 2018 for hotel construction, expressed concerns over the upward revision …

In a major step towards ensuring accountability and internal integrity, the Royal Bhutan Police (RBP) has completed drug screening tests for over 4,000 personnel and officers across the country. The initiative, which began on 20th January 2025, was completed in March resulting in a remarkable outcome as not a single …