DEMOCRACY IN ACTION

On 29th January 2024, the Prime Minister issued two directives to the Ministry of Industry Commerce and Employment (MoICE) on tourism which had to do with increasing tourist arrivals and promotion of tourism in border towns in the south. After that committees were formed and a series of meetings were …

According to the Ministry of Finance (MoF), an agreement was concluded on 27 August 2024 to establish a unified Internal Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) and accompanying guidelines. These documents, developed in collaboration with the Financial Institutions Association of Bhutan (FIAB), have now been distributed to the Financial Institutions (FIs). Finance …

During the recent Meet-the-Press session, the Agriculture and Livestock Minister, Lyonpo Younten Phuntsho, outlined several initiatives under the 13th Five-Year Plan (FYP) to enhance meat production domestically, reduce reliance on imports, and promote food security. The minister explained the delicate balance between spiritual traditions and economic needs, recognizing the increasing …

Regarding the suicide of the 13-year-old boy on 5th August, police officials have reported that the deceased’s sister discovered a suicide note, which according to the police was not shared during the incident because the sister had forgotten to mention it. According to the police, the boy’s suicide note does …

In a bid to improve parking management and generate revenue, the Thimphu Thromde is set to introduce parking fees at the Changlimithang parking space. The Changlimithang parking space is a huge space starting from Thimphu Dzongkhag Office till the end of Coronation Park in the south. Thimphu Thromde has discussed …

Widespread use of violent discipline among children in Bhutan A recent report from the National Health Survey has brought to light, the alarming statistics on child discipline practices in Bhutan. According to the survey, 82.2 percent of children aged 1 to 14 years reported experiencing some form of violent discipline, …

The recent Health Survey Report 2024 provides detailed insights into contraceptive use, family planning preferences, and demographic trends that are shaping the country’s population growth. The survey reveals that a substantial of about 74.2 percent of women currently married or in a union are utilizing some form of contraception. Among …

For the inaugural batch of 2024, the training will be divided into two cohorts. The first cohort will begin on 5 September 2024 with 2,108 Gyalsars and conclude on 3 December 2024. The second cohort will start on 16 December 2024 with 1,570 Gyalsars and finish on 15 March 2025. …

Director of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, Karma Penjor Dorji has provided an update on major hydroelectric projects and their financing during the monthly Meet-the-Press. The Ministry is currently negotiating a hydro budget totaling 527 billion ngultrum, with discussions centered on securing 50 percent of it as loans. …

Some Local Government (LG) leaders have voiced their dissatisfaction with the 13th Five-Year Plan (FYP) budget allocation, citing disparities in the distribution of funds across different dzongkhags. During recent discussions, it was highlighted that the allocation varied significantly, with some dzongkhags receiving more resources than others. One such concern was …