Know your new secretaries

On 14th July, His Majesty The King appointed 7 government secretaries as per Article 2.19 of the Constitution, “On the recommendation of the Prime Minister, who shall obtain nominations from the Royal Civil Service Commission on the basis of merit and seniority and in accordance with other relevant rules and regulations.”

Dasho Karma Wangchuk Penjor from Chang, Thimphu was first appointed as a trainee officer in RCSC in Thimphu in 1992.

During his course of service, he started from the level of assistant finance officer, became a planning officer in the Home Ministry before becoming an undersecretary there in 2004 and Director of the Dratshang Lhentshog in 2007. Before his appointment as the Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Communications, he served as the Secretary in the Dratshang Lhentshog from 2014. He received the red scarf in April this year.

Dasho Karma Wangchuk Penjor holds a Master in Development Administration from the Asian Institute of Management, Manila, Philippines. He completed his Bachelor’s in Economics from the University of Berkeley, USA.

Sonam Wangchuk, from Tralang, Tang, Bumthang was first appointed as a trainee officer in Lhuentse in 1990, followed by the same post title in Department of Trade in Thimphu. In addition, he also served as Trade Officer in 2001, counsel general in Geneva in 2008, Regional Trade and Industry Director in 2009, Chief Trade Officer 2009, Intellectual Property Division Director in 2012 and Trade Director in 2014.

He served as the Secretary of GNHC before his appointment as the Secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Human Resources.

He has a Master’s in International Affair from Columbia University, New York, USA and a Bachelor’s in Commerce from Sherubtse College in Trashigang, Kanglung.

The former Director General of Department of Medical Services, Dr Ugen Dophu is now appointed as new Health Secretary. Dr Ugen Dophu is from Changdunkha, Wangchang, Paro and started his career as district medical officer in 1988 at Punakha BHU.

For seven years, he has served as district medical officer in different dzongkhags. Also, he served as hospital superintendent in Chukha in 1997, superintendent in JDWNRH in 2003 and as a director in 2006 and then director general of Department of Medical Services from 2012.

He holds a Bachelor’s in Medicine & Surgery from Sir Sallimulah Medical College, Dhaka, Bangladesh. He has dual Masters in Public Health from Chulalongkorn University, Thailand and Gynecology from Institute of Medicine, Yangon, Myanmar.

Sonam Topgay, the former Director General of Bureau of Law and Order, is the new Secretary of Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs. He is from Thimthrom, Thimphu. He started his profession as trainee officer in MoHCA in Thimphu in 1986. He became assistant director in 1991 and Deputy Director in 1999. He became a full fledged Director from 2004 serving in the Department of Civil Registration and Census, Department of Local Governance and in 2012 he became the Director General of Census followed by becoming the DG of Bureau of Law and Order and in 2014.

He holds a Master’s in Public Administration from Institute International D, Administration Publique Paris, France, and has a Bachelor’s (Honours) in Political Science from Delhi University, India. He also has a certificate in Indian Administrative Service from Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration Mussoorie, India.

Karma Yeshey, the former Director General of Department of School Education, is now appointed as the Secretary of Education Ministry. He started his service as teacher from 1986 at Chhoeden Jr. High School in Thimphu. He is from Shosul, Kawang, Thimphu.

He served in various schools as teacher, head teacher and as a principal for 13 years. Starting 2003, he was transferred as Joint Director in curriculum and professional support services division, MoE at Paro, followed by posts as director in 2007 and finally director general of Department of School Education in 2014.

He holds a Master’s in Science Education from University of Leeds, UK. He earned a Bachelor’s in B.Ed from National Institute of Education, Samtse.

Nim Dorji from Chendibi, Trongsa, after serving as Director General in the Agriculture Department for one year, returns to the Ministry of Finance as the new secretary. He served in the MoF for 25 years.

In 1988, he started his career as trainee officer at Department of Budget and Accounts, MoF. He served as Finance Officer and senior program officer there.

He was promoted to the post of director of the Sustainable Development Secretariat in 2002, from 2003-06 he was also transferred to United States as a director in the World Bank. In 2007 he became the Director of Public Accounts, and in 2012 he became the joint secretary in the MoF. In 2015 he became the DG in the Agriculture Department

He holds a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Canberra, Australia. He has a Bachelor’s in Commerce from Delhi University, India.

The new Secretary General of National Council is the former Paro Dzongda, Chencho Tshering.