THE NATION

The hotel industry seems optimistic about the future due to the rise in tourist numbers following the introduction of the USD 100 Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) and reductions in SAARC airfare. According to the Chairman of the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Bhutan (HRAB), Jigme, “The occupancy outlook for the …

Bhutan experienced a decline in its ranking in the latest Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI). With a score of 68, Bhutan now ranks 26th among 180 countries and territories, a drop from its previous position of 25th. On 30 January 2024, Transparency International (TI) released its Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI). The …

Around the end of December 2023, there was viral video circulating in social media platform accusing Penden Cement Authority Limited (PCAL) management on dispatching underweight cement causing concerns. The video captures a man expressing dissatisfaction with the weight of cement, claiming it to be 3-5kg less than the actual weight. …

Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) face significant employment disparity compared to those without disabilities. According to the latest Population and Housing Census of Bhutan (NSB,2020), 2.1 percent of the population are categorized as disabled. Various factors contribute to this gap, such as discriminatory hiring practices and a lower percentage of individuals …

Recently, RCSC has announced 106 undergraduate scholarship opportunities for the academic session 2024-2025, both within and outside the country. The eligibility criteria specified that all class 12 graduates of 2023, except repeaters, were encouraged to apply. However, there was dissatisfaction among Arts students due to the limited number of slots …

Social sectors in Bhutan, such as health and education, have been facing the major brunt of the attrition due to the mass exodus. The decrease in the teacher and student ratio can potentially lead to the diminishing of quality education. Dorji Tamang, a teacher from Dagana, has offered his insights …

In May 2020, amidst the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Wobthang Organic Wonders (WOW) project was launched with great ambition in Bhutan. Spearheaded by the former Opposition Leader, Dr Pema Gyamtsho, and a group of retired agricultural officials. However, due to higher transportation costs and their inability to …

In a recent report released by the National Statistics Bureau of Bhutan (NSB), the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for November 2023 highlighted a year-on-year increase in CPI by 4.60 percent. Notably, both food and non-food items experienced price hikes, with food seeing a 5.21 percent increase and non-food witnessing a …

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) secured an overwhelming victory in Central Bhutan during the general elections. The party achieved an almost perfect score in central Bhutan, except one in Nubi-Tangsibji, Trongsa, going to the Bhutan Tendrel party. Examining the electoral history of Central Bhutan reveals a dynamic landscape. In the …

The Election Commission of Bhutan (ECB), on Wednesday, as per the provision enshrined under Section 443 of the Election Act of the Kingdom of Bhutan, 2008, declare the names of candidates who have secured the highest number of valid votes in their parliamentary constituencies as having been duly elected from …