Govt reiterates it is in line with the Constitution, will not affect quality of education and is sustainable Staff Reporter/Thimphu The government in its 6th Friday meet on 8th February announced the implementation of its much discussed initiative to do away with the class 10 cut off and fund students in …
Read More »The great cut off point debate
The Education Minister Lyonpo Jai Bir Rai’s announcement on Wednesday that the class 10 cut off point was being done away with, and that the government would fund 4,225 students joining class 11 in private schools -led to a small quake. Soon, social media was agog with those supporting the …
Read More »Major Tax reforms in the works to increase tax collection and plug loopholes
Reform will include increasing PIT slab and introducing GST by next year The Ministry of Finance (MoF) is in the midst of drafting a comprehensive tax re-haul and reform measures which are targeted to be implemented by 2020. Lyonchhen said that the government, as part of measures to increase internal …
Read More »As media faces extinction via e-procurement, PM gives assurances
Opposition says e-procurement cannot be allowed to lead to a weak media There is a great deal of concern within media houses on the revenue impact of E-procurement on an already ailing media sector. E-procurement involves the government placing advertisements on a website, instead of in the media with the …
Read More »His Majesty The King graced the closing ceremony of the first session of the Third Parliament
Austerity is coming
MoF sends out cost cutting circulars to government agencies as part of a new austerity drive However, its effectiveness is yet to be seen given that such past measures did not address the core causes of government flab and in-efficiency The Ministry of Finance (MoF) has sent out a circular …
Read More »30 ministerial rank individuals spent Nu 370 mn in ‘hospitality and entertainment’ in last 10 years
MoF to draw up guidelines to put a cap and control this expenditure A ‘Financial Thrift’ report compiled during the interim government period found that the lack of a cap or rules on actual ‘hospitality and entertainment’ expenditure has led to huge expenses by 15 ministerial ranks from 2008 to …
Read More »Parents and students of Japan case request ACC for reinvestigation
They expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s response so far The representative of the parents and students of the Japan’s learn and earn program submitted a letter of appeal to Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on 21st January, for the office to reinvestigate the case on what they allege are excessive fees charged …
Read More »Bhutan’s hydro has a future provided it can stay competitive against India and Nepal: Hydro Report
As Bhutan develops multiple hydro projects an important question to ask is not only on the price of the projects or its loan component and tariff rates, but more importantly, on the future power market scenario for Bhutan’s existing and upcoming projects. The Hydropower Committee Report addresses this issue by …
Read More »Air quality in Thimphu hits permissible ceiling
Bhutan, for too long has been basking in the glory that came along with the carbon neutral status which also has distinguished the country globally for 81 percent of the country’s forest coverage, protected national parks, nature reserves and wildlife sanctuaries. Going by this, the quality of air in the …
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