The Bhutanese Leading the way.
After what is being described as a successful conference in Rio on Sustainable Development the Prime Minister Lyonchhen Jigmi Y. Thinley and his delegates are back in Bhutan. In his short briefing at the Paro international airport he said that Bhutan has been thrust into a position of leadership in …
Read More »Govt had rejected RICBL’s 2009 proposal to insure Dzongs against disasters
Bhutanese Dzongs were insured against fire by RICBL from 1983 till 1993 when it was withdrawn due to budget constraints. Govt said no again in 2009 due to budget constraints. If only Wangduephodrang Dzong was insured in 2009 the Royal Insurance Corporation of Bhutan Limited (RICBL) and its foreign insurance …
Read More »NC passes a toned-down Education City Bill
Major amendments were made to clauses coming in contradiction with existing national laws including slashing the lease period from 90 years to 30 years. The National Council yesterday endorsed the “Bhutan Education City Bill” with 17 members, unanimously voting to adopt it. The bill however has undergone seven important amendments …
Read More »Benninger now in Pemagatshel Dzong controversy
Disgruntled local architects have pointed out loopholes in the new Pemagatshel dzong’s evaluation and design. At the same time the inclusion of an unregistered foreign consultant Professor Christopher Charles Benninger in the tender process has further aggravated the situation. The evaluation for the Nu 250mn project was conducted by the …
Read More »Prime Minister meets Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao
According to a Press Release issued by the Prime Minister’s office, Lyonchhen Jigmi Y. Thinley met the Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on 21st June 2012 at the sidelines of the Rio summit. The release from the Prime Minister’s office said, “The meeting carries great historic significance as it marks the …
Read More »National Council, Political Parties and Local leaders all against Land Bill 2012
Most of the above including ordinary citizens are against clauses in the Land Bill 2012 that give politicians vast powers over land and the National Land Commission The Draft Land Bill 2012 is heading into some major constitutional, political and public opinion crisis with many MPs, Local government representatives, political …
Read More »Government slaps tax hike on non-essential imports
Tax hike on vehicles, fuel, alcohol, furniture, meat, electronics and textile proposed in Tax Bill As part of the fiscal measures to curb the Indian Rupee (INR) shortfall and enhance Bhutan’s balance of payments with India, the government has proposed to increase taxes on imports of non- essential items. Introducing …
Read More »FM presents budget for 2012-13
Coinciding with the final year of the current elected government, the national budget for financial year (FY) 2012-13 which is also the final budget of the 10th five year plan was presented by finance minister Wangdi Norbu to the National Assembly (NA) yesterday. The total projected budget is estimated to …
Read More »ACC! Make a conclusion, says the Health Minister
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Annual Report presentation at the National Assembly (NA) took a detour as contents of the presentation became ready-arsenal for the Health Minister to dress-down the commission. “Punish the guilty and free the innocents. Now it’s high-time. With the beginning there should be an end,” the health …
Read More »OL gets the heat
The Opposition Leader (OL) Tshering Tobgay has acknowledged, MPs had made personal attacks on the members of the opposition party during the National Assembly (NA) Q and A session yesterday. “We are however not swayed to respond to personal attacks, instead prefer to stick to the issues at hand,” said …
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