By Phurpa Wangmo In a dramatic overture in the ongoing parliament session, the joint sitting of the National Assembly and the Council unanimously adopted the Tobacco (Amendment) Bill of Bhutan 2021 which will now allow the import and sale of tobacco and its allied products in the country. The decision comes following the governmentโs request to the National Assembly Speaker …
Read More »Top 10 News
Penjore adamant his rights were violated
The police has returned Penjoreโs phone on June 11, but he still feels his rights were violated By Tashi Namgyal Although out of detention, Penjore is still claiming that his human rights were violated by the police. Penjore was what he claims โarbitrarily arrestedโ on May 6 by the Royal Bhutan Police (RBP) following a complaint from the Office of …
Read More »Roads issue gets a nod in the parliament
By Tandin Wangchuk The Joint sitting of the parliament this week adopted the Public Accounts Committeeโs (PAC) recommendation on the need to establish and institutionalize road asset and information management system to enhance planning, and prioritization of road maintenance in the country. In their findings the Royal Audit Authorityโs (RAA) had stated that road maintenance works were not given importance …
Read More »Excitement mounts as bye-elections draws close
By Sonam Choki As the bye-elections in Mongar and Nganglam constituenciesโ edge closer, parties and their candidate hopefuls are making the final dash to rule on the penultimate day which is scheduled on Tuesday June 29. Most candidates say the campaign period was a success and that they are ready to face the polls on June 29 which would decide …
Read More »Building Back a Battered Bhutan
In their evolving quest to respond to the trials and tribulations of the Covid-19 pandemic, UNDP in Bhutan has been one of our major push factors By Phurpa Wangmo When the coronavirus pandemic took the world by storm, Bhutan took swift and decisive measures to seal its borders, quarantine Bhutanese returning from abroad, and prevent community transmission. For over six …
Read More »Tackling climate ambition in Bhutan
By Tandin Wangchuk Bhutan is one of the most climate change vulnerable countries owing to its small economy, dependence on farming and agriculture, and nature of its topography among a host of other natural and socio-economic factors. However, Bhutanโs commitment has been unwavering, even as it prepares to graduate from a Least Developed Country to a Middle-Income Country, and despite …
Read More »A youth group advocates love and compassion
By Gayum Dema & Rinchen Phuntsho A youth group, Nazhoen Jangsem Tshogpa (NJT), has become a synonym for love and compassion in the country as they continue to propagate the message of compassion and solidarity through their altruistic acts. The youth group was formed in 2019 by a handful of young enthusiasts who all shared a common interest โ advocating …
Read More »His Majesty the King enters quarantine
By Staff Reporter After almost a week-long tour of eastern Bhutan where His Majesty trekked from Merak in the north to Jomotshangkha in the south, His Majesty arrived in Thimphu on Friday and entered quarantine as per COVID protocol. His Majesty was accompanied on the Royal tour by His Royal Highness Gyaltshab Jigme Dorji and the Prime Minister, Lyonchen Dasho …
Read More »Curtains fall on OAG sedition theatrics
OAGโs 9-page sedition charges against Penjore dismissed within 9 minutes by the Court, displaying that the judiciary is willing to protect citizensโ rights and assert its independence By Tashi Namgyal In what could be a landmark case involving freedom of speech, freedom of expression and freedom of media, the dismissal of the Office of the Attorney Generalโs (OAG) sedition charges …
Read More »Delta variant predominant in Bhutan
By Phurpa Wangmo The dreaded covid-19 variant โDeltaโ has finally entered the country with the Health Ministry cautioning the public to be at their highest alert. Following extensive test results, the Ministry of Health Friday announced that the most prevalent variant causing a series of outbreak in the country is due to the presence of the COVID delta variant. From …
Read More »