The Bhutanese Leading the way.
A group of 49 Bhutanese sex workers have come together to form a network to protect sex workers in the country and overcome challenges faced by them. The network is taking the help of two registered CSOs too. However, since sex workers are not recognized under law and their work …
Read More »Opening statement of Khandu Wangmo not accessible to the press
Though the media got hold of the opening statement shared by the three defendants, Supreme Court Justice Kuenlay Tshering, Drangpon Yeshi Dorji and former RBG Commandant Brigadier Thinley Tobgay, before the District Court on 17 March in connection to the criminal conspiracy case, however, the media could not get any …
Read More »SMCL plans to bring in a third big buyer from Nepal to break the Duopoly
The State Mining Corporation Limited (SMCL) rocked by corruption allegations and an ACC investigation into its export of Gypsum to Nepal is planning to bring in a third major buyer to try and break the Duopoly or the Nepal Gypsum Syndicate. The SMCL is likely to put up the name …
Read More »ACC starts investigation into Gypsum scam by seizing documents and computers in SMCL
The Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) launched its formal investigation into allegations of corruption in the sale of Gypsum by launching a raid in the State Mining Corporation Limited’s (SMCL) office in Samdrup Jongkhar on 15th March afternoon. The ACC seized documents, computers, laptops and phones of the the SMCL General …
Read More »European Medicines Agency says vaccine is safe after an investigation
Most Bhutanese are ready for the vaccine but a significant minority opt out for now With around a week left for the mass COVID-19 vaccination in the country and the government all set with the roll out plan some vaccine hesitancy has crept in. Though the majority are for the …
Read More »Gypsum scam accused put up false denials
Two days before an ACC raid on the offices and homes of the Gypsum scam accused, the main accused in the scam in Bhutan, a syndicate member from Nepal and two transport partners in India put up detailed denials through a news article in a local private newspaper. The lengthy …
Read More »The mystery of Bhutanese Gypsum, the Nepal market and a controversial past
Before SMCL took over in 2019 the main market for Bhutan’s Gypsum was in India in the North-East, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Sikkim and Bihar which have no Gypsum mines. Nepal and to an extent Bangladesh were always the much smaller markets barely comprising around 10 to 15% under Druk …
Read More »His Majesty again enters 7-day facility quarantine after Royal Tour of the south
His Majesty The King entered 7-day facility quarantine having arrived in Thimphu on 9th March from a tour of the southern dzongkhags. During the tour which began on 1st March, His Majesty travelled to Trongsa, Gelephu, Samtse, Tendruk, Tashichhoeling, Gomtu and Phuentsholing, and met with the different COVID-19 Task Force …
Read More »Jigme Mining to distribute 1.2 bn bid money to 443 shareholders as govt holds on to the mine
A record breaking 5831 % return is being provided to shareholders Jigme Mining Corporation Limited (JMCL) which managed the Chunaikhola Dolomite mine from 2005 to 2020 is set to liquidate its company by distributing its bid money war chest of Nu 1.2 bn to its shareholders. In addition, it will …
Read More »SMCL gets around double the price for Dolomite compared to its predecessor
The State Mining Corporation Limited (SMCL) took charge of the Chunaikhola Dolomite mines from Jigme Mining Corporation Limited (JMCL) in September 2020 and started operations from 7th November 2020. It did not have the right to sell until 9th January 2021 as SMCL has to wait for JMCL to clear …
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