EDITORIAL

For the past few months the nation has been in the grip of an intense debate on Zhemgang Dzongkhag Tshogdu’s resolution on the ‘Gho and Kira,’ adamantly pushed by its Thrizin who is also the Goshing Gup. Coincidentally the Anti Corruption Commission in early May 2017 detained and questioned the …

The government has requested the ACC to investigate certain alleged malpractices in the Ministry of Labour and Human Resources’ training programs for youth sent to India and Japan. The main needle of suspicion is on the private agents but malpractices within the Labour ministry cannot be ruled out yet. The …

The recent hoarding of subsidized LPG cylinders based on unverified rumors points to the less than desirable aspects of our society. The hoarding has led to a shortage for genuine customers or ‘non-hoarders.’ It shows how psychologically weak or vulnerable we can be when it comes to rumors. It also …

Throughout history nations big and small, powerful and weak have fallen far more often due to their own internal contradictions than the strength of an aggressive foreign power. There are also examples of small but united and determined people and countries standing up to and succeeding against tremendous odds and …

The credible Bhutan Living and Standards Survey (BLSS) 2017 confirms what we as Bhutanese already know and feel, the increasing prosperity of our nation and the well being of our people. Two important figures stand out with the reduction of poverty from 12 percent in 2012 to 8.2 percent in …

The Priority Sector Lending (PSL) policy at first glance may seem like a Central Bank initiative to boost lending to Cottage and Small Industries and the agricultural sector, which by itself is commendable, but close up it is so much more. The PLS in engaging and working together with the …

Walk into any of the private diagnostic centers in Thimphu and you will end up paying a substantial amount for even a basic check that is already free at the JDWNRH. This is just one of the many pulls and factors on our medical system which is not able to …

One important idea of sovereignty for any nation is its ability to control its borders. This idea gets more important for smaller countries, especially when they are surrounded by larger countries, constantly moving demographics and do not have the absorptive capacity. Bhutan is in an unenviable position with a population …

First off, it is important to understand that the dramatic cut in fuel prices by the government is not any largess being given by the Indian government or by the Goods and Services Tax. Simply put under GST the Indian government can no longer collect excise duty on fuel imports …

India’s Foreign Secretary came calling from 2nd to 5th October in Thimphu, two months after the successful resolution of the standoff in August. From the accounts of the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister’s meeting with India’s senior-most diplomat the Foreign Secretary had come to listen more than to talk. The …