The pay revision proposed by the Pay Commission is in the hands of the government. They will soon decide the shots. But one thing that is clear is that the “wow factor” is missing. DrukNyamprupTshogpa’s pledge to revise the payment of civil servants may have found fulfillment but the requisite criterion to evoke shock waves […]
Read MoreWaste is an expensive issue. It costs a lot-both to produce and dispose it off. If there is one thing that Bhutanese haven’t learnt over the years, it is how to dispose waste properly. From the roads to pavements to streams and drains, waste is scattered in the most unbecoming places. It turns not only […]
Read MoreBhutan’s journey has been special so far. We have made great strides in our development. We have successfully demonstrated our abilities to design a unique development paradigm that counters mainstream development models. Our living culture and tradition are pretty much intact despite increasing consumerism and exposure to modern, foreign cultures and values. Our environment is […]
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The role of media in a democracy is important. This is generally the accepted mainstream thinking. And this thinking often finds overly loud expression and emphasis in conversations on democracy, transparency, and accountability. Every important institution within the democratic framework – political parties, bureaucracy, civil society, and even the judiciary accept and profess that media […]
Read MoreThe 14th Round Table Meeting (RTM), a public discourse forum for international development partners, government, policymakers, and civil society organizations, successfully concluded this week. Some 50 multilateral and bilateral agencies congregated in the capital to delve deeper into Bhutan’s development process, reflect on the successes and challenges, and craft the way forward. The meeting of […]
Read MoreThe Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa (DNT) government completed its 120 days at the helm of power on Thursday. It has been a rocky, nervous start for the new elected government. And both mainstream and social media have hounded the new government on several of its ambitious, even unrealistic, election pledges. Not that this should be a […]
Read MoreThe first ever two-day National Tourism Conference held this week brought together key tourism stakeholders, policymakers, non-government actors and private sector. ‘Taking tourism to the top’ was the slogan of the conference. It was an attractive, marketing slogan. No arguing about it. The conference also saw an impressive turnout. Numerous issues and challenges confronting the […]
Read MoreThe National Environment Commission (NEC) has resuscitated the 20-year-old ban on plastic carry bags. Come April 1, any business establishment found selling or using plastic bags would be fined Nu 500 in the first instant, with double the penalty in the second. The third offence could result in the cancellation of the business license. The […]
Read MoreAfter missing several deadlines, the much awaited 720MW Mangdechhu Hydroelectric Project (MHPA) is finally readying for commission. The last deadline for MHPA commission was January 10. The MHPA, which took six and half years to complete, was built at a total cost of Nu 49.83bn. Once fully operational, MHPA will bring in substantial revenue through […]
Read MoreSomething is not brewing right in the Member of Parliaments’ (MP) personal accounts. Excluding cabinet ministers, Prime Minister, Speaker, Council Chairperson and Opposition Leader, other fifty-eight MPs are entitled to Nu 6,000 every month as allowance for “employment of personal driver” but it appears that not a single MP has employed a driver so far […]
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