HEADLINE STORIES

The Punatsangchu Hydroelectric Project Authority (PHPA) managing director (MD), R.N Khazanchi confirmed to The Bhutanese that the November 2016 completion date of the Punatsangchu I would no longer be feasible. This is on account of the sinking of the right slope situated above the dam site by as much as …

Following the country’s current economic situation, particularly the severe Indian Rupee (INR) shortfall, growing public debt and ever increasing current expenditure, the new government has decided to adopt a host of austerity measures, especially concerning the cabinet members, to curb unnecessary and excessive spending. Setting an example, the fourth sitting …

Dismissing reports of hard ball negotiations during the latest round of 11th plan talks between officials from Bhutan and India the GNHC Secretary Karma Tshiteem said that talks with the Government of India was very ‘positive’. Bhutan has requested for grants in three main packages of Nu 45 bn for …

The sixth meeting of SAARC finance ministers is scheduled to be held in Colombo, Sri Lanka on August 30, 2013 preceded by the finance secretaries meet a day in advance. SAARC finance ministers usually meet within the first quarter of every year to take stock of macroeconomic developments and outlook …

The Nu 5 bn Economic Stimulus Plan which was recently submitted by the National Level Task Force to the government is currently under discussion in the first round of Bhutan-India Development Cooperation talks along with discussions on aid for the 11th plan. The talks are from 15th August to 17th …

A seventh entry has been made to the park’s faunal diversity in the last seven years. The Royal Manas National Park (RMNP) in Gelephu, on June 5 this year, made a triumphant discovery of the presence of Hodgson’s Frogmouth (Batrachostomus hodgsoni) that took the park’s avian faunal diversity to yet …

When it comes to paints used on local houses and walls, most people consider its colors, quality and durability of the paint, but aren’t concerned about its negative impact on human health. Many paints contain lead which is a neurotoxin; a poison that acts on the nervous system and poses …

Compared to the 2008 General elections where parties made promises more in sync with the draft 10th plan, the 2013 elections saw all political parties making ambitious promises even going far beyond the draft 11th plan. PDP which got elected is now facing the unenviable task of fulfilling its share …

The National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon called on the Prime Minister, Lyonchhen Tshering Tobgay at the Gyalyong Tshogkhang yesterday. Shivshankar Menon was accompanied by Mrs. Sujatha Singh, the Indian Foreign Secretary, and V.P. Haran, the Indian Ambassador to Bhutan. Lyonchhen and Mr. Menon discussed about GoI’s commitment in rendering financial …

This was concluded at the second cabinet meeting The current security protocol for VVIPs and VIPs, 2013, an eight page document which is believed to have been drafted by the DPT government just before the recent elections is now subject to change. The ministry of home and cultural affairs (MoHCA) …