On 10th April, 2025, Trongsa Dzongkhag Court convicted Member of Parliament (MP) from Nubi Tangsibji, Tashi Dorji, of child molestation and sentenced him to 3 years, 3 months, and 28 days imprisonment. The judgment was rendered involving an incident that took place on 4th September, 2022 when the accused, then …
Read More »Bhutan sends a relief team to Myanmar on Royal Command
Bhutan has extended humanitarian assistance to Myanmar in the wake of the devastating earthquake that struck the region on March 28, 2025. A 40-member advance team comprising medical professionals and multi-sectoral specialists were deployed to Myanmar on April 1, 2025, along with relief materials, upon the Royal Command of His …
Read More »Reductions and changes coming in PIT, BIT and CIT as GST readies for implementation
As Bhutan gears up for the long-delayed implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), the upcoming Parliamentary Session is set to introduce significant tax reforms. These include proposed reductions and changes to the Personal Income Tax (PIT), Business Income Tax (BIT), and Corporate Income Tax (CIT)—all aimed at easing the transition into …
Read More »Setting the record straight on Kuensel’s misinformation on the Private Media and MEDB
When Coke writes something negative about Pepsi then Coke should tread carefully, as the inherent conflict of interest is obvious to the audience. Any claims made must be backed by solid evidence and verifiable facts; otherwise, Coke risks being dismissed as biased or even legally challenged as defamatory. The same …
Read More »BIT goes up due to increase in Industrial Average Ratio in Thimphu, Phuentsholing, Samtse and Gelephu RRCOs
A common complaint from small and medium sized businesses these days, like shops, restaurants, etc., is that their estimated Business Income Tax (BIT) has gone up considerably. The common explanation provided so far to them has been that their tax is higher since the tax is now assessed on the …
Read More »P II tariff to be above Nu 5 but sticking point is on future increases
The 1,020 MW Punatsangchu II project tariff has been under discussion between officials from Bhutan and India for a while. While the Indian side is amenable to a P II tariff above Nu 5 per unit, going up to Nu 5.25 as proposed by the Bhutanese side last year, a …
Read More »His Majesty outlines Brand Economy, Trust Economy & Strength Economy
On 23 March 2025 His Majesty The King graced the Passing Out Parade ceremony of the Second Cohort of the 2024 Batch of the Gyalsung Training Programme at Jamtsholing, Samtse. Addressing Gyalsups across all four Academies—Jamtsholing, Khotokha, Pemathang, and Gyalpozhing—from Jamtsholing, His Majesty said that our aspirations for Bhutan’s lasting …
Read More »Why the High Court sentenced Sonam Norbu to life imprisonment for murder of Namgay Dolkar
On 27th March 2025, the High Court (HC) sentenced 39-year-old Sonam Norbu to life imprisonment for the murder of 24-year-old Namgay Dolkar, overturning the Thimphu Dzongkhag Court’s previous judgment, which had sentenced him to approximately 15 years in prison for voluntary manslaughter. The father of Namgay Dolkar, Singye Wangchuk said …
Read More »50% data charges reduction to take another 3 to 4 months
On 4th March 2025 the Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay said the Cabinet has approved the slashing of mobile phone data charges by 50%. There was no timeline or details given beyond this leading to questions. This paper has learnt that it will take another 3 to 4 months before …
Read More »Special office under PMO studying duration discounts, group discounts and incentives for tourism
With so far average tourism numbers in January and February 2025 comparable to 2024 and Nu 13.508 billion (bn) in deferred hotel loans coming to an end by June 2025, there is now a growing sense of urgency within the government on increasing the numbers. The main mantra, till date, …
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The Bhutanese Leading the way.