Projected Revenue is well below the Nu 194 bn Current Expenditure outlay of the 12th plan This may impact the overall size of the Nu 310 bn 12th plan No salary cuts or new taxes but there will be cost cutting The Ministry of Finance (MoF) while replying to an …
Read More »Omicron variant more infectious than Delta starts spreading across countries
With a new variant known as B.1.1.529 or Omicron first detected in South Africa, experts are calling it the worst one ever seen so far, due to its double the number of mutations compared to the highly infectious Delta variant. Data from South Africa shows the new variant is already …
Read More »Remittance rush continues with record breaking Nu 5.139 bn till Aug 2021
In 2020 Bhutan saw the highest ever remittance flow of Nu 8.269 billion (bn). This was higher than the combined remittance of Nu 2.901 bn in 2019 and 3.032 bn in 2020. It was theorized by some that the 2020 remittance may be a one off due to COVID and …
Read More »Bhutan Airlines and Druk Air struggle with Nu 1.8 bn in losses
The Coronavirus has left many business entities in shambles all across the world and the air transportation business is no exception. With the measly number of clients, the two airlines in Bhutan are struggling to meet the daily operational costs let alone make a profit. Bhutan Airlines After the onset …
Read More »3 Ministers, NA Speaker and NC Chairman get second hybrid duty vehicle worth Nu 3.2 mn each in violation of Pay Revision Act
The 2019 Pay Revision Act is very clear that Ministers or positions equivalent to them are entitled to one chauffer driven SUV of 3,000 cc each, which means one Toyota Prado for each of them. However, in contravention to the Act, it has been learnt that the Finance Minister, Foreign …
Read More »RAA sounds alarm on debt, fiscal deficit and revenue
The 2020-21 Annual Audit Report for the first time has given a lot of space to the issues of increasing national debt, rising fiscal deficits and the faster rise of current expenditure compared to revenue. RAA has pointed to debt as one of the main issues in its executive summary …
Read More »How a Senior Customs Inspector got millions in bribes and the larger bribery network at MDP
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) started their investigation in the Mini-Dry Port (MDP) after being alerted about the possible existence of bribery and extortion by Customs officials and loaders while importing goods through the MDP and other designated areas in Phuentsholing sometime in June 2021. The investigation by the ACC was …
Read More »RAA says Nu 123.16 mn in malpractice and abuse by STCBL
Total of 133 mn under Fraud and Corruption in RAA Annual Audit Report The Royal Audit Authority (RAA) in its Annual Report of 2020-2021 said it found Nu 123.16 mn in malpractices and abuse by the STCBL. Of the total 133.066 mn under the fraud and corruption heading the bulk …
Read More »Govt to borrow heavily and invest big to revive economy and avoid GDP slump during transition
The Prime Minister Dasho (Dr) Lotay Tshering and the Finance Minister Lyonpo Namgay Tshering both said Bhutan would not only have to go beyond the 12th plan, but also borrow large amounts for projects to help revive the economy, and also avoid a slump during the transition period in late …
Read More »RUB suspends lecturer and forwards case to RBP
After conducting its own investigation in the Sherubtse Harassment case, the Royal University of Bhutan (RUB) has suspended the assistant lecturer Dorji Phuntsho, and handed his case over to the police. The RUB Vice Chancellor Nidup Dorji said, “We have handed over the case to the Trashigang Police for further …
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