HEADLINE STORIES

With the 2018 elections just two years away, the political math has already started with Bhutan’s third largest party, Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa (DNT) giving an open invitation to the Bhutan Kuen-Nyam Party (BKP) and the Druk Chirwang Tshogpa (DCT) to come together as one party. The General Secretary of DNT, …

The Opposition Leader Dr Pema Gyamtsho said that the Opposition party Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) is the strongest party on the ground for the upcoming 2018 polls. The OL also dismissed rumors that the DPT is dissolving or would not come for the 2018 polls. The Opposition Leader said, “I …

The Cabinet has also asked for a report from BICMA on its new Book rules   The upcoming session of the Parliament will see the government seeking the Parliament’s clearance to completely do away with all taxes on books. This will mean that, once approved, the current 5 percent sales …

While new mothers in the civil service have six months of maternity leave for exclusive breast feeding, many government owned corporate employees are increasingly left wondering about maternity leave for them. These doubts can now be assuaged with the Prime Minister Lyonchhen Tshering Tobgay saying that the government would have …

On 16th February 2016 the Home Ministry sent out a circular to its Dzongkhag cultural officers instructing them to ensure that women only wore Ada Rachu. The issue became a major controversy after it recently came to the attention of the media and outrage soon spread with many people expressing …

Industrialists want more focus and resources on the Dham Dhum Industrial estate in Samtse over others There is a debate brewing between the private sector and the government on the upcoming Industrial Estates in the country at Dham Dhum in Samtse, Jigmeling in Sarpang, Motanga in Samdrup Jongkhar and Bondeyma …

The crime or offence against Ku-Sung-Thuk-Ten is becoming a serious national concern especially with many blatant Chorten vandalization cases. There were 230 cases reported against Ku-Sung-Thuk-Ten in 2014, while 129 cases were reported in 2015. Although there is a decrease in the number of crime against Ku-Sung-Thuk-Ten, the RBP has …

In December 2015 the Chithuen Phendey Association, a Civil Society Organization without revealing any names or identity talked of three destitute HIV positive women in Thimphu, who at different points were being exploited by men on the streets and bars, unaware of their HIV status. The women were also going …

For some time now Bhutan’s industrial sector has been complaining of various problems from electricity tariff issues to excise duty refund to reduced demand for their goods. The Department of Industry (DoI) has now hired a local Bhutanese consultant company to study the heath of Bhutan’s Industrial sector across the …

The recent ban on women wearing patterned rachu (scarf for women) other than only Ada Rachu by the culture officers of the Home Ministry has not only drawn criticism, but has also affected the businesses of those who depend on weaving and selling rachus as their livelihood. Hundreds of textile …