THE NATION

Businesses in Bhutan are required to register, obtain a license, and follow various tax laws. This applies to the ones operating online as well. The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment (MoICE) has guidelines for online businesses and as of now, there are 185 businesses licensed to sell online using …

Lyonpo Chandra Bdr Gurung, Minister of Infrastructure and Transport (MoIT), during the 10th Meet-the-Press session shared that the ministry has started work on Phase One of the Thimphu Structure Plan (TSP). These projects include renovations to the Clock Tower and its surrounding area, mobility improvements along Norzin Lam, and the …

In the National Council Social and Cultural Affairs Committee (SCAC) report on the State of Media in Bhutan, the Right to Information (RTI) Bill was discussed in the context of its importance for improving transparency and ensuring public access to government information. The report emphasizes that the RTI Bill has …

The Member of Parliament (MP) of Gangzur Minjey Constituency, Loday Tsheten, has called for Amendments to the Property Tax Act of Bhutan 2022, focusing on the tax concessions for Kamzhing and Chhuzhing. Under the Act, Chhuzing receives a 90% tax concession, while Kamzhing is given a 50% concession. The problem, …

The idea of licensing private television channels in Bhutan has been under discussion for several years and has provoked much debate especially during Party President’s debate where all other party Presidents got together and attacked PDP’s pledge to allow private television. The DNT President Dasho Dr Lotay Tshering even dramatically …

Yangchengatshel Higher Secondary School under Thimphu started operating as an inclusive school from 2018 onwards, according to the Principal, Shambay Dawa. The school has classes from Pre-Primary (PP) to class 12 with 698 students in total, of which 33 are students with special needs. Of the 33 with special needs, …

The long awaited 600-Megawatt (MW) Khorluchhu Hydropower Project previously known as Kholongchhu Hydropower Project in Trashiyangtse has begun its construction. The first major milestone was marked on 19th November with the successful blasting at the powerhouse portal and head race tunnel. These blasts signal the beginning of large-scale civil work, …

From the 182 provisions of the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Act of Bhutan, 2013, the Legislative Committee (LC) during the 5th Sitting of National Council, proposed 159 provisions and introduced four new provisions. However, 1 new provision and 2 existing provisions will be revisited during the upcoming sitting on 6th …

During a two-day presentation reviewing the 2023-2024 Annual Report of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and its recommendations, Members of Parliament (MPs) in the National Assembly (NA) expressed concerns about the ACC’s limited funding and staff shortages, which are affecting its efficiency. With a total staff of 123, ACC saw an …

In response to the 33rd Session of the National Council (NC)’s six resolutions regarding compensation policies for human-wildlife conflicts (HWC) and crop damage caused by natural disasters, the government has provided updates on its efforts. NC had called for the harmonization of policies and strengthening of inter-sectoral collaboration to mitigate …