June 24: The use of explosives has increased with rapid development activities such as mining and road construction taking place in the country. To avoid accidents involving explosives- the Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs and other stakeholders are looking at how best to handle and store explosives.

This was reveled after a joint inspection was conducted by the Royal Audit Authority, the Royal Bhutan Police, the Department of Geology and Mines and the State Trading Corporation of Bhutan.

The team also found that explosives stored in the country were old and worn out. The findings also revealed that the only storage house for explosives in the country in Chhukha has become dilapidated with walls developing cracks.

The storage house in Chhukha also does not have enough space to store all the explosives.

The Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs is looking at the possibilities of either relocating or renovating the storage house.

For proper handling, storage, and manufacture of explosives in the country, the bureau of law and order has come out with a draft explosives bill.

The Ministry is also conducting a two day workshop for stakeholders including officials from the Royal Bhutan Police, the Department of Geology and Mines, representatives from industrial and mining companies.

The draft bill will be tabled for discussion in the winter session of the parliament.