The outcome could affect the legislative powers of both houses There is fresh controversy brewing between members of the National Council (NC) and the National Assembly (NA) over the procedure for passing the private members bill. The controversy which includes the National Flag Bill and the failed draft Right to …
Read More »Judged by society and marked by sundry-litigants
The Judge who puts the guilty behind bars and dispenses justice to the innocent is by definition a powerful personality. And for the recipients where the hammer of justice lands, with cold conviction, the judge easily becomes the virtuous hand of deliverance or the cruel reaper of precious human years. …
Read More »Wangdue Dzong reconstruction may cost up to Nu 1bn and take till 2016
This is according to the initial estimates made by the Department of Culture which is the main government agency on Dzong construction and renovation Even before the smoke of Wangdue Phodrang Dzong fire was subdued there were calls for rebuilding from the citizenry and leadership alike. The reconstruction of the …
Read More »NA passes Tax Bill, almost 95% of the proposed tax hike terminated
The government proposal to raise taxes on various items was stripped down to just ‘green tax’ which will be levied only on vehicles. In a session where NA MPs slammed all the specified sections in the tax bill, finance minister Wangdi Norbu said the tax hike would have never been …
Read More »Rio Summit will benefit Bhutan says Lyonchhen
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Bhutanese Dzongs were insured against fire by RICBL from 1983 till 1993 when it was withdrawn due to budget constraints.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 …
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