THE NATION

PM asks MoF to explore privatising pool vehicle system During the Mid Term Review of the Finance Ministry, the Prime Minister, Dasho Tshering Tobgay, said that recently the Cabinet, in a meeting, had discussed that ministers should use electric duty vehicles within Thimphu and keep some 3 or 4 good …

The Prime Minister, Dasho Tshering Tobgay, said that the government has asked the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) to relook at its domestic power tariff proposal, keeping affordability in mind. Lyonchhen said that the cost of building future projects cannot be billed to consumers right now, as future projects should be …

Bhutan is moving closer to establishing its 3rd International Internet Gateway (3IIG) following an agreement between Bhutan Telecom and India’s Airtel, supported by a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Bangladesh, says GovTech. The agency has also achieved and is enhancing efforts to improve connectivity. This came during Government …

While international regulators move toward a “zero-added sugar” standard for infants, Bhutanese grocery shelves remain stocked with products containing as much as 35 grams (g) of sugar per 100g. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is moving toward a “zero-added sugar” standard for baby foods targeted at …

As the mango season begins to flood regional markets, a massive crackdown on artificially ripened fruit in India has sparked new concerns over the safety of Bhutan’s imported produce. A recent news from NDTV showed a huge crackdown of 200 kg of artificially ripened mangoes in Hyderabad, India. According to …

Personalised medical screenings and advanced DNA-based health insights will soon be available in Bhutan as part of a landmark three-year collaboration. The Gelephu Mindfulness City Authority (GMCA) and Waive Diagnostics, a leading US-based healthcare technology firm specialising in AI-driven precision health, entered into a strategic partnership to establish world-class diagnostic …

A 42-year-old man from Lhuentse has successfully summited Lobuche East Peak in Nepal, standing at 6,119 metres. Tashi Dorji, a tourist guide by profession since 2006, achieved the climb after nearly two decades of building his career through persistence and self-reliance. Lobuche East is widely regarded in the mountaineering community …

It has been learnt that only those hotels who agree to start repaying their loans will be eligible for the 4% ESP loan interest subsidy for one year. In addition to that RMA will mandate banks to give an additional 1%,interest loan discount which means a subsidy of 5% loan …

The city’s parking landscape is currently a duopoly, split between M/s Charo Parking and M/s KCR Pvt. Ltd. Together, they manage thousands of slots across the capital, from the bustling Kaja Throm Market to the huge, yet empty Multi-Level Car Parks (MLCPs). Estimated earnings show that Thimphu Thromde earned a …

The government has reallocated Nu 1.5 billion (bn) initially earmarked under the Economic Stimulus Plan (ESP) for affordable housing and homeownership to urgent infrastructure priorities, with a particular focus on improving chiwog roads, according to the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Lyonpo Chandra Bdr Gurung. Speaking during the 26th Meet-the-Press …