Bhutan Broadcasting Service Corporation’s Management says they cannot pay the penalty and will instead go to the court. BBS is to pay the penalty of Nu 11,250 to the labour ministry latest by tomorrow.

A letter from the ministry says the case will be forwarded to the court if the news agency fails to pay the fine.

BBS Management justifies their stand by saying it is an internal appointment and not new recruitment.

The Ministry of Labour and Human Resources has fined Bhutan Broadcasting Service Corporation for supposedly violating the procedures of Regulation.

The ministry had said BBS had followed undue procedures while selecting its Manager for Administration and Finance Department.

In May this year, BBS recruited the Manager of Administration and Finance Department supposedly through voting by the six management committee members.
The post was floated internally.

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A bear has killed two calves and seriously wounded another two calves last night in Rukubji Chiwog under Sephu Gewog in Wangdue Phodrang.

Including yesterday’s attack, the bear has killed seven calves, two milking cows and wounded another two calves over the past couple of months. Villagers said they are worried about their safety, as bear is frequently sighted in their village.

Forestry officials are investigating the incidents and working on to compensate the affected households.

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The Ministry of Agriculture and Forests is facing a resource gap of close to Nu 2B for the next three years of the 11th Five Year Plan. This was raised during the mid term review of the agriculture ministry held in the capital, yesterday.

The agriculture ministry has a total budget outlay of Nu 13B of which Nu 4.8B is capital budget and Nu 8.8B recurrent. However, due to additional requirements, with the ministry taking up new projects, the capital budget was revised to Nu 6.7B, leading to a resource gap of Nu 1.9B.

The additional requirement was on account of the ministry taking up new irrigations and electric fencing projects.

Finance Minister, Namgay Dorji, said sources were limited when it came to getting the additional financial requirement. The minister said the economy was already facing huge shortages in terms of current account deficit.

Prime Minister, Tshering Tobgay said justifications should be provided on why the additional funds are required.

Agriculture secretary, Tenzin Dhendup said, as the 11th Five Year Plan progresses, there would be savings from other projects, which can be utilized for the additional requirement.

During the review, several questions were also raised on the low budget utilization of the ministry due to delay in the release of funds. Officials discussed on the possibility of pre-financing some of the projects to reduce incidences of inefficient use utilization of budget.

“We can set aside a small portion from our consolidated fund, which can be used to pre finance other projects under project tied assistance. It will not be a problem if we use the money meant for PTA to finance other PTA projects,” said the Prime Minister.

Pre-financing of 11th Five Year Plan projects has been recognized as one leading cause of the shortage of rupee.

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The foreign ministry say they are in the process of verifying if the two arrested in Nepal are Bhutanese.

Nepal Police have arrested five suspects from Nepal-India Border for allegedly smuggling Dzee to Bhutan via India. Two of the arrested claim they are Bhutanese.

According to Nepal’s local media, the police also confiscated counterfeit US currency and 24 rare beads from them.

The Himalayan Times of Nepal says the suspects were arrested after they robbed a Dzee seller in Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu. The Dzee were apparently being brought to Bhutan.

Reports say the Nepal police have sent the five to Kathmandu for legal action, while the dzees and the currency are being inspected by relevant authorities to determine their authenticity.

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The 720-megawatt Mangdechhu Hydropower Project could be earning gross revenue of Nu 7 billion annually once commissioned by early 2018. This is assuming electricity from the project is sold at Nu 2.5 a unit.

With the project seemingly well on track, officials from the authority estimate most of the geological surprises has been covered except for the remaining 5-kilometers tunneling works for the headrace tunnel.

The headrace tunnel will divert the river from the dam to the powerhouse where the turbines will be installed.

MHPA’s Managing Director, AK Mishra said more than a half of the work has been completed so far with dam concreting underway. Concreting of the dam would require 1.8 M cement bags, which the project is sourcing from Dungsam cement.

“An average 62 percent of the work has been completed so far and the project has utilized Nu 25 B. The remaining 38 percent of the work will be completed by December 2017. The project would require another Nu 20 B to complete the works,” said AK Mishra.

The project’s cost has escalated by around 38 percent. It has increased from the original Nu 28 B in 2008 to Nu 40 B in 2014. By March 2018, the project’s cost is estimated to reach Nu 45 B.

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The former Foreign Minister, Rinzin Dorje, filed an appeal petition to the Supreme Court against the High Court’s decision. His appeal petition says he is aggrieved by one year conviction.

The High Court had reversed the Haa District Court’s verdict and sentenced the former foreign minister, Rinzin Dorje to one year imprisonment with an option to pay a Thrimthue of Nu 45,000.

The court had also ordered Rinzin Dorje to pay 1, 11,640 within 10 days.

Rinzin Dorje argues that the conviction was against the principle of law.

The High Court had said the former minister misused pool vehicle for private transportation and violated Civil Service Act and Anti-Corruption Act during his tenure as the then Haa Dzongdag.

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The High Court sentenced two men, 29 and 53, to life imprisonment for vandalising a Chorten at Begana in Thimphu

The convicts had vandalized the Dae-wi Chorten on October 19, in 2013.

The police had recovered most of the relics the men had stolen from the chorten.

In 2014, Thimphu District Court had sentenced the convicts for 15 years. The men had then appealed to the High Court.

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The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of Bhutan has found out that the main suspect of Phuentshogling ATM fraud, Sanjeev Kumar Gupta, had withdrawn Rs 64 M from 190 Druk PNB ATM cards as of now.

The former businessman from Indian town, Jaigoan, allegedly deposits Bhutanese currency in the bank accounts of the Bhutanese nationals with whom he has an understanding. The understanding was he pays these Druk PNB ATM cardholders 5 percent of the interest rate.

He then withdraws the money from PNB ATMs across the border to sell them to Indian businessmen with an interest rate of 8 percent.

ACC’s record shows Sanjeev Kumar possessed about 288 Bhutanese ATM cards. However, he maintains he has about 166 even though his transactions, as of now, reveal he had used 190 ATMs.

Sanjeev Kumar is still under detention.

ACC is also investigating a similar racket involving a Bhutanese and an Indian national. ACC had detained and interrogated the Bhutanese man, who is a corporate employee. He was released yesterday.

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The number of civil servants has almost doubled since 2002. From 14,265 civil servants in 2002, the number has increased to 26,669, this year, making civil service the single biggest employer in the country.

The alarming growth rate of the civil service goes against Royal Civil Service Commission’s policy of maintaining a small, compact, and efficient civil service.

RCSC attributes the growth to haphazard plans and lack of long-term perspective on recruitment, according to RCSC’s annual report that was published recently.

The report says optimizing the human resources remains a constant challenge with the constitutional obligations placed on the government.

The report says it gets further complicated by systems where there is little accountability for excess recruitment or idle people.

RCSC says the decisions leading to Civil Service growth are not with the RCSC alone.

To check the further growth and determine the right size of the Civil Service, RCSC has conducted the Organizational Development Exercises.

From the exercises, standards have been developed that will be used as a basis for determining human resource requirements.

RCSC has also stopped the recruitment for many positions that are not critical.

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Bhutan’s half yearly inflation between January to June this year has averaged 5.7 percent, which is significantly lower compared to the same period last year according to figures available with the National Statistics Bureau (NSB).

In the same period last year, inflation averaged 9 percent. The decrease in inflation this year according to officials from NSB has been mostly contributed by falling crude oil prices in the global market. NSB officials said, on a year on year basis, fuel prices decreased significantly.

Improved monsoon in India also led to slower price rise as agriculture produce increased.

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The Prime Minister, Tshering Tobgay visited 12 gewogs of Samtenling, Gelegphu, Senggey, Gakiling, Shompangkha, Dekiling, Tareythang, Umling, Chhuzanggang, Chhudzom, Serzhong and Jigme Chhoeling under Sarpang Dzongkhag. The five-day tour ended on September 16.

At the meetings, Lyonchhen talked about prioritising healthcare, sanitation, and quality education. Lyonchhen reaffirmed that to ensure the success of democracy, the government must consult with the public and involve them in decision-making. The Prime Minister also informed the people on the budget allocated for each gewog for the 11th FYP.

The Prime Minister urged the gewogs to carry out due maintenance of their water supply schemes, so that all households have continuous access to clean drinking water.

A press release from the Prime Minister’s Office say in all gewogs, the Prime Minister highlighted on agricultural productivity, for which he urged the people to utilise the power tillers provided, electric fencing to prevent wildlife encroachments, construction of green houses and improving the existing irrigation channels.

Lyonchhen also asked the people to avail loans from Business Opportunity and Information Centre and make use of the farmers’ outreach banking facilities.

Lyonchhen further announced that construction of a 150-bedded hospital in the Dzongkhag is underway in Gelegphu.

In between, Lyonchhen also paid a visit to Norbuling Central School, Pelrithang and Lhayul Primary Schools.

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His Royal Highness Prince Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck, His Majesty’s Representative and the President of the Bhutan Olympic Committee, has been appointed the Chairman of the International Relations Committee (IRC) of the Olympic Council of Asia.

HRH was appointed to the Chairmanship during the 34th General Assembly of the Olympic Council of Asia, held in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan and will chair the committee for four years from 2015-2019.

The International Relations Committee is responsible for the facilitation and promotion of relationships between the Olympic Movement, particularly the Olympic Council of Asia, National Olympic Committees, International Olympic Committee, International and Asian Sports Federations and various government and public authorities.

Currently the Olympic Council of Asia has 17 standing committees to assist in the execution of its mandate. The powers of the Olympic Council of Asia are exercised through 3 organs; namely the General Assembly, the Executive Board and the President.

The Chairpersons of the standing committees are members of the Executive Board of the Olympic Council of Asia, and as such, HRH Prince Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck is now also a member of the Executive Board of the Olympic Council of Asia. HRH was previously a member of the Peace through Sports Committee.

This is the first time ever that the Bhutan Olympic Committee has been represented in the Executive Board of the Olympic Council of Asia.

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His Majesty The King granted an audience to the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Command of the Indian Army, Lt. General Praveen Bakshi, who is on a visit to Bhutan from September 14-18.

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Office of the Attorney General (OAG) released the owner of JPLP Departmental Store in Phuentshogling, Lal Chand, on a bail of Nu 80 M, yesterday. He is of Indian origin.

However, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) says they are concerned about the recovery of the remaining amount of Nu 104 M.

ACC had detained Lal Chand for alleged tax evasion of Nu 184 M for the last four years, in June, this year.

ACC officials had rejected Nu 100 M bail amount proposed by Lal Chand earlier, as the client had failed to produce surety.

On the other hand, OAG says the negotiation was based on the practical paying capacity of the accused. Attorney General, Shera Lhendup said they are not sure whether the accused is even liable for Nu 80 M. He said they will only be able to tell at the end of the judgement.

ACC had handed over the case to the OAG in August, this year.

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His Royal Highness Gyaltshab, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, graced the inauguration of newly built buildings of Thrimshing Central School, under Trashigang Dzongkhag on Wednesday. Her Royal Highness, Ashi Yaetsho Lhamo accompanied His Royal Highness the Gyaltshab.

The officials of Trashigang Dzongkhag, Thrimshing Dungkhag, Gewog Administration, teachers & students of Thrimshing Central School and local people, received His Royal Highness Gyaltshab Jigme Dorji Wangchuck through a traditional chipdrel procession.

Following the marching ceremony, His Royal Highness graced the Trashi Nga-Soel and Trashi Rabney ceremony.

Led by Trashigang Lam Naten, the dzongkhag and dungkhag administration and Ministers for Education, Economic Affairs and Work and Human Settlement offered Tashi Dzegay and Ku-Sung-Thugten Mendrel to His Royal Highness the Gyaltshab.

This was followed by recitation of Zhabten for His Majesty the King and His Majesty the fourth Druk Gyalpo long life.

After that His Royal Highness the Gyaltshab unveiled the inaugural plaque to mark the formal inauguration of the new buildings. This was followed by cultural events.

His Royal Highness then interacted with the local people, who offered Tshogchhang, and granted Tokha to more than 2,000 people who had come to attend the inaugural ceremony.

Constructed at a cost of Nu 141.43 M, the new structures include two 64-bedded hostel, three-storied academic building, ccience lab and staff quarters.

The construction began in 2012 and was completed in 2014. The Government of India funded the construction of the school buildings. The newly built buildings of the school are fitted with rainwater harvesting system.

The erstwhile Thrimshing Primary School has been upgraded to Thrimshing Central School this year.

Currently, there are 288 students studying from class PP to IX. His Royal Highness granted Cash Soelra to the students to have a school picnic.

Later in the evening, His Royal Highness visited the National Handloom Development Centre in Khaling. His Royal Highness also granted audience to the local people who offered Tshogchhang at Kharungla, Khaling and Brekha on the way.

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Despite several fiscal measures the government had introduced to curtail imports and boost exports, the economy’s trade deficit has continued to increase from Nu 2 billion in January this year to Nu 7 billion in June.

The government said, some fiscal measures like the taxation has not really worked in curtailing imports with the country importing more than 8,000 cars since the ban on import of cars was lifted July last year.

Finance minister during the meet the press session today said, the current account deficit will only increase given the country’s huge dependence on imports.

Prime minister Tshering Tobgay said although there is a deficit in the current account, the overall balance of payments is positive. He said the deficit was mostly on account of investment in the hydropower sector where huge amounts of fuel and electromechanical components are imported in billions.

The investment, although it may lead to deficit build up in the short run, will ultimately add value to the economy, the Lyonchhen said.

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The Prime Minister, Tshering Tobgay said the services of 42 employees of the Royal Education Council will be extended for six months.

Speaking at the Meet the Press session today, Lyonchhen also said he will look for other job opportunities for them within that period.

“They are not civil servants and they are huge in number. We cannot recruit when we need them and we cannot expel when we don’t need them. We need to think on it.”

Earlier, the Royal Education Council had notified its employees that their service will be discontinued from next month.

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The Prime Minister, Tshering Tobgay said the issue being raised on Chamkharchhu Hydropower Project is fairly late. Bhutan-India governments had signed an agreement on the construction of Chamkharchhu Hydropower Project in 2006.

Lyonchhen was responding to the debate on the Hydropower Project that ensued after an environmentalist, Yeshey Dorji started an online petition. The petition called the government and the policymakers to keep Chamkharchhu un-dammed and free flowing.

“We have committed to become carbon neutral, the only country in the world to declare so. If we export 80 percent of our electricity, we would offset almost more than 4 M tons of Carbon Dioxide in India. Bhutan’s hydropower projects benefit Bhutan financially and environmentally. We have to ensure that the construction of hydropower continues.”

Lyonchhen also said free health care and education will no longer be free if Bhutan stops constructing hydropower projects.

Yeshey Dorji had said no substantial work has yet been done on the project – other than the DPR that is still a work in progress. “Therefore abandoning the project will not translate into any significant loss of money.” He said the petition is perfectly timed.

The environmentalist had said he is not against hydro-power projects but against the manner in which the constructions are being implemented.
“…in a situation where global warming is creating all sorts of fresh water scarcity, we cannot be so irresponsible as to dam every one of our rivers.”

However, Zhemgang MP, Lekey Dorji had told the local media that Chamkharchhu is the fastest and the most practical way to provide the basic ingredients for economic development for Upper Kheng.

He had also argued that Chamkharchhu, unlike other hydropower plants, is not a reservoir-based plant. “It is a run of the river project and should not unduly change the local climatic conditions.”

Chamkharchhu, unlike Punatsangchhu I or II projects, according to MP Lekey is a Joint Venture project on 70:30 debt equity model. “And even our equity portion of 15 percent would be a grant and the other 70 percent would be a project loan.”

He also had said while a sovereign guarantee for loan constitutes as national debt, it is self-liquidating and there is a huge market for power just across the border. “Not doing the project or delaying the project is an economic opportunity lost for a nation that needs revenue sources.”

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The Prime Minister, Tshering Tobgay said the government is still undecided about the Business Opportunity and Information Centre (BOiC)-Bhutan Development Bank Limited (BDBL) merger.

During Meet the Press session today, Lyonchhen said the government decided to look into options and one of them was the BOiC-BDBL merger.

Lyonchhen’s statement contradicts the foreign minister’s recent statement. Lyonpo Damcho Dorji had said the government will merge BOiC with Bhutan Development Bank.

However, the Prime Minister said BOiC will continue to lend as it has done before.

“People throughout the country is concerned, we are very worried now. Suddenly, an instrument that is very useful is going to be pulled out.”

Lyonchhen said BOiC is useful and legal. “However, because the National Council has submitted an appeal to His Majesty the King, it is our responsibility to look into it now although we have not received anything from National Council.”

Lyonchhen said their responsibility is to ensure the service rendered by BOiC continues.

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Five people, four male and one female, died on the spot when the vehicle they were travelling in went off the road at Wachey about 27 kilometres from Wangdue towards Trongsa, yesterday.

No one knows when exactly the incident occurred but the Police in Wangdue Phodrang received the complaint only in the afternoon.

The versa taxi was heading from Trongsa towards Wangdue.

One the passengers, who survived, is said to be in stable condition.

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