The Bhutanese Leading the way.
The Anti Corruption Commission, investigation into the Gyelpozhing land grab, has found, that most of the facts in the initial media reports on Gyelpozhing are true. The Bhutanese talked to a few affected people in Gyelpozhing who lost land and plots to influential people. On the condition of anonymity, they …
Read More »Bjemina and Khariphu turn down three major quarries citing ‘bitter lessons’
Mewang Gewog is one of the most mined gewogs in Bhutan with multiple quarries in Bjemina and the expanding Namseling quarry. However, in a sign of increasing awareness and concern over environmental destruction, the public of Bjemina and nearby Khariphu both under Mewang gewog recently turned down three major stone …
Read More »Indians pay 5% comission to Bhutanese citizens for Maestro and Visa cards
Indians holding Bhutanese bank accounts across the border are encouraging Bhutanese to get visa and maestro cards from Druk PNB and Bank of Bhutan to withdraw rupee from Jaigoan atms for a commission of at least 5%, this paper has found. Many small Bhutanese businessmen, mainly who run paan …
Read More »USD 70 mn Film City to open Bhutanese film industry’s gates to international market
An amusement park and a film and television institute are part of the plan The gateway for the Bhutanese film industry to the international market is finally unbolting with the ministry of information and communication (MOIC) approving in-principle, the first-ever film city project in the country. Motion Picture Association of …
Read More »BNBL profit increases by 104% in 2011 at Nu 510mn
Bhutan National Bank Limited (BNBL) made a net profit of Nu 510.3mn last year, an increase by Nu 259mn from the year 2010. Chairperson of the board of directors, Kunzang Dechen said that apart from being “delighted”, the management has cut down on a lot of costs. “Income from foreign …
Read More »Draft RAA report finds irregularities and violations in CDG implementation
The government recently suspended the Constituency Development Grant (CDG) in face of opposition from the National Council, Election Commission and the Opposition Party. However, in what could be called a case of an expected breach in its use, a draft Royal Audit Authority report, has found several instances of lapses …
Read More »Rupee crunch leads to soaring informal exchange rates in border towns
On the surface, the border towns may seem to be on a rupee famine, but, the informal market exchange on Rupee against the Ngultrum is on a slow but steady rise The rupee crunch hullabaloo has just begun. On the other side of the border, the Jaigaon Merchant Association has …
Read More »Land commission refuses information on Chang Ugyen
A Right To Information application by this newspaper to the National Land Commission (NLC) on details regarding what action has been taken in the Chang Ugyen case was rejected. The Bhutanese put up the application as a follow up to its investigation on the Chang Ugyen land grab case. Bhutan …
Read More »Right to Information Bill to be introduced in Parliament by lone MP
RTI Bill to be introduced in NC In a historic move for Bhutan’s fledgling democracy, National Council MP from Gasa, Sangay Khandu will introduce the Right To Information Bill (RTI) in the 9th session of the Parliament on May 2012. The Right To Information bill is considered by many to …
Read More »What is in the Bill?
The RTI Bill being introduced by the NC MP, Sangay Khandu, is based mainly on the High Court version of 2007. As per the bill a Bhutanese citizen can go to any government agency and ask for official information, which the agency has to provide within a certain time period …
Read More »