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2007, April 30: Thousands of job seekers from across the Kingdom are attending 5th National Job fair in Thimphu. It began on Sunday. The two day event this year has posted more than 1000 job vacancies in different organizations and agencies.

“Connecting employers and employees” is the theme of this year’s national job fair. The department of employment says the event is being organized to bring together job seekers and employers.

Namgay Thinley, a class 12 passed out is one of the thousands of youth who have come to attend the Job fair. He said he came with the hope and expectation of finding a job through the fair.

The two day fair was inaugurated by the Prime Minister, Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk. Addressing the gathering Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuck said youth unemployment is a growing national concern. He said private sector growth is important for creating employment opportunities.

The director of employment informed the gathering that this year they are expecting to employ more than 400 job seekers within the next one month. The last national Job fair helped more than 400 job seekers find gainful employment.

According to some of the job seekers, it is difficult to find jobs since many of the organizations ask for experience. If fresh, out-of-school or college youth are not given employment because they do not have experience then where and how they are going to get experience, they asked.

The department of employment is asking companies offering jobs to waive off the criteria as far as possible.

The labour and human resources minister Lyonpo Ugyen Tshering, education minister Lyonpo Thinley Gyamtsho and senior government officials attended the opening ceremony.

More than 35 private, corporate and government agencies are participating in the fair. The first national job fair was conducted in 2003.

2007, April 30: A Lemon Grass Oil Cooperative has been launched in Mongar. The cooperative started by a group of farmers is expected to enhance rural income and provide employment opportunities for the local population including the women population. It will also make the lemon grass industry self sustainable and independent.

Activities under the lemon grass oil cooperation include training of farmers and providing technical, financial and marketing services to the farmers.

The industrialized utilization of lemon grass was started in Bhutan in 1982 and the essential oil development programme in 1992. Since then the production of lemon grass oil has been in full swing in the four eastern dzongkhag of Monggar, Trashigang, Trashiyangtse and Lhuntse.

Since 1992, Bhutan has exported more than 115 metric tones of lemon grass oil fetching a gross income of more than 56 million Ngultrums. Lemon grass oil is exported to India, France, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

2007, April 28: Samdrupjongkhar will soon have a new district court office building. The construction of the three storied building will be complete by the end of July. It was started in February last year.

Court officials said the new building will be equipped with modern facilities. They said it will help enhance the efficiency of the court and improve service. The new court building will have twenty eight rooms including two chambers for the judges, a conference hall, two security rooms and a library room. The court will also have a detention room and a record room.

The Samdrupjongkhar Drangpon told our reporter, Damchoe Wangchuk that with increase in the number of litigations, the court has been under immense pressure. The current court building is adjoined with the Dzongkhag administrative block. Court officials often face inconveniences due to inadequate space.

Our reporter says the problem will be soon solved. The new court building has enough space not only for the court officials but also the litigants and spectators.

The new court building is being constructed under DANIDA Project.

2007, April 27: His Majesty the King attended the Zhabdrung Kuchoe along with thousands of people from Punakha and Wangdi as well as the neighboring Dzongkhags of Thimphu and Paro at the Puna-Dewa-Chenpoi-Phodrang yesterday.

The monks of the Zhung Dratshang presided over by His Holiness the Je Khenpo performed a special prayer ceremony in the Kuenray of the Dzong.

Coinciding with the Zhabdrung Kuchoey, the sacred Ranjung Khasar Pani was also displayed to the public in the courtyard of the Dzong. Thousands of people offered their prayers and received blessings.

The Zhabdrung Kuchoe or the death anniversary of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel is observed on the tenth day of the third Bhutanese month every year. Special prayer ceremonies were also conducted in Lhakhangs and Goendeys across the kingdom.

Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel is revered as the founding father of Bhutan. In addition to unifying the country, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel also introduced a distinctly Bhutanese cultural identity and established the dual system of government under which control of the country was shared between a spiritual leader and an administrative leader.

His Majesty the King has just returned from a 17 days tour of several Dzongkhags in eastern Bhutan. On 10th April, His Majesty also graced the convocation of the Sherubtse College in Kanlung.

In Thimphu

In the capital, most of the Lhakhangs and Goendeys including the national memorial chorten and the Changangkha Lhakhang were packed with devotees carrying incense sticks and offerings of tsho and butter lamps.

As usual, the Dechenphu Lhakhang was also packed with people. In Gasa, more than a hundred monks led by the Lam Neten performed Damchen Jamtshoi Soelkha.

In Mongar

In Mongar, coinciding with the Zhabdrung kuchoe thousands of devotees gathered in the Dzong to offer prayers and receive blessing from the sacred Nangtens which were displayed to the public for the very first time. The Nangtens had never been displayed to the public. They were displayed to the public for first time this year following repeated requests from the public. The Nangtens included a tempa statue, a treasure discovered from tang Membartsho by tertoen Pemalingpa and a statue of the Zhabdrung.

2007, April 24: The royal government’s plan is to provide electricity for all by 2020. The Bhutan Power Corporation says they may be able to achieve the objective by 2017, three years ahead of schedule.

The news comes as Japan and Bhutan signed an agreement for a soft loan of over 30 million dollars for rural electrification in the capital today, April 24.

The Bhutan Power Corporation has to provide electricity to 57% of rural households over the next 13 years to achieve the target by 2020.

The Managing Director of the Bhutan Power Corporation Tshewang Rinzin said they have achieved 100% coverage in urban areas. The corporation, he said, is now trying to achieve the goal of providing electricity to all, earlier than 2020.

In order to accelerate the process the Royal Government is for the first time taking a soft loan from the Japanese government. The Japanese government is providing over 30 million US dollars as soft loan. An agreement to this effect was signed by the Foreign Secretary Yeshey Dorji and the Japanese ambassador to Bhutan Mr. Yasukuni Enoki.

The loan will be used to provide electricity to more than 15,300 households in Bumthang, Trongsa, Dagana, Tsirang, Mongar, Trashiyangtse, Samtse, Paro, Haa, and Chukha in the 10th five year plan.

Speaking at the signing, the Japanese ambassador Mr. Yasukuni Enoki said the assistance is an expression of goodwill and support of the people of Japan towards the people of Bhutan.

The loan will be repaid with an interest of 0.01% per annum over a period of 30 years with a grace period of 10 years.

2007, April 24: The United Nations Global Road Safety Week is being observed from 23rd to 29th April. The event, the first of its kind to be held at the global level is being initiated to recognize the growing problem of road traffic injuries.

In Thimphu the day was observed by closing the main traffic along the Norzin Lam today, April 23. Motor vehicle accident is a growing concern globally.

In Bhutan too rapid increase in the number of motor vehicles has lead to a drastic growth in the motor vehicle accident over the years. In the capital city alone, motor vehicle accidents have increased from 472 in 2005 to 482 cases in 2006. In the last three months traffic police has recorded over 130 motor vehicle accidents.

As part of the program the Road Safety and Transport Authority officials and the traffic police distributed RSTA pamphlets and cassettes on traffic rules and regulations to the motorists.

The UN global safety week is targeted at the young road users, including pedestrians, motorists, and novice drivers and passengers.

The message from the Minister of Information and communication, Lyonpo Leki Dorji stated that reckless driving and speeding are leading causes of road accidents accounting for almost 69 percent of all accidents. “The global safety week will provide a good opportunity to raise awareness about the adverse consequences of road accident, its cost on the society and the national health system,” Lyonpo Leki Dorji said.

The sources from the world health organization and the United Nations have confirmed that nearly 1.2 million people die every year from road accidents worldwide. It says more than 40 percent of the victims fall in the age group of five to 25 years.

By 2020 road traffic injuries will become the third leading cause of deaths if timely and tangible interventions are not made. There are about 18,000 vehicles registered under the RSTA in Thimphu.

2007, April 24: To keep the students mentally and physically fit the department of youth, culture and sports is bringing major changes in school sports. The department will organize school sports activities beside the usual games sessions during school hours.

The change in the school sports programme is aimed at promoting structured and professional coaching. It will also keep the students meaningfully engaged after school hours.

The physical education class will now be conducted from Pre-Primary to class 12. Earlier, the physical education class was held only for students from class seven to 12.

The trainings will also be conducted at different levels. The schools will be asked to specialize in selected sports discipline. For example, Yangchenphug Higher Secondary School will specialize in senior basketball and athletics and Lungtenzampa in badminton.

For each game, a coach or trainer will be placed in a school to carry out the structured training during and after school hours.

Nima gyeltshen is the sports coordinator in the Department of Youth, Culture and Sports. He said the sports program will keep the children engaged in sports after school hours, prevent them from indulging in unhealthy habits.

Parvin Archarya, the physical education teacher of Motithang Higher Secondary School said it will be very helpful for the students as they have limited physical education class in the school.

2007, April 22: The nationwide mock election has been won by the Druk Yellow Party. Druk Red Party came second. Druk Yellow Party and Druk Red Party will contest the general election on 28th May. The election results were declared by the election commission yesterday, April 22.

It was a landslide victory for the Druk Yellow Party. Druk Yellow Party won a total of 55,531 votes. That is more than two times the votes won by Druk Red Party. Druk Red Party came second with a narrow margin of 34 votes. They won 25,542 votes. In the third place is Druk Blue Party with a total of 25,508 votes. Druk Green Party secured a total of 18,757 votes.

Druk Yellow Party and Druk Red Party are selected to contest in the general election scheduled to be held in 28th may 2007. The final result, including a constituency breakdown, are posted on the election Commission’s web page www.election-bhutan.org.bt.

Close to 51% of the registered voters turned out for the election. According to a news release from the election commission 125,338 turned out to vote in the mock election.

It says while the mock election on the whole was conducted smoothly, it was not without some hiccups. For instance verification of voters at the polling booths in Thim-throm took sometime causing delay in the process which was due to voters in a polling booth not being assigned Voter Photo Identity Card numbers. This was mainly because of the unavailability of information of the exact place of registration of the voters.

Further, the fact that Bhutan has a mountainous terrain and certain remote areas of the country is yet to be connected to the telecommunication network resulted in communication problems, delaying the timely transmission of result from four constituencies.
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2007, April 21: Bhutan and Austria signed the annual consultation document on development cooperation this morning. The Bhutanese foreign secretary, Yeshey Dorji and the Austrian ambassador to Bhutan, Dr. Jutta Stefan-Bastl signed the minutes of the annual consultation document on Bhutan-Austria development cooperation 2007.

This year, Austria will disburse about three million Euros in aid. Austrian assistance will continue in the areas of energy, tourism, ecology, culture, hydro power and rural electrification and capacity building in 2007.

The annual consultation between the two governments is a joint review and planning exercise held since 1998. During the consultation the two sides reviewed projects under implementation, identified new projects, and adopted the annual plan of activities and budgets. It also provides opportunities for the two governments to exchange views on issues of mutual interest.

Diplomatic relations between Bhutan and Austria were established in May 1989. Austrian assistance is concentrated in the energy, culture, tourism and RNR sectors with Human resource development as a cross-cutting area.

Speaking to BBS, the Austrian ambassador to Bhutan, Dr. Jutta Stefan-Bastl described the relation between the two countries as excellent.

2007, April 21: The education ministry opened another youth center in the capital Thimphu yesterday. The new youth information centre is located in Changjiji. The Youth Information Center will provide information, educational programmes and counseling support to young people in the area.

The center will also provide internet and photocopying and fax facilities at nominal rate. Young people in the area can also visit the centre to refer or borrow library books.

Opening the center, the education secretary, Dasho Pema Thinley said most youth in Thimphu were not getting enough attention or parental guidance. “With both parents working in most cases, they are sometimes even neglected or left on their own to indulge substance abuse or pick up other unhealthy habits,” said the secretary.

Pema Lhaden from the Youth Information Center said Changjiji is one of the densely populated areas in the capital.

The director of the department of youth and sports informed the community members that the information center will soon be handed over to the community members.

Representatives from different agencies and officials from the department of youth and sports attended the opening. Also present at the ceremony were representatives from the Chanjiji housing Complex and residents living in the area.

2007, April 18: India is providing Nu. 47.5 million to the Election Commission of Bhutan to purchase Electronic Voting Machines, EVMs. The Indian ambassador to Bhutan, Mr. Sudhir Vyas handed over the cheque to the Finance Ministerm Lyonpo Wangdi Norbu yesterday. The assistance comes under a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Election Commission of Bhutan and India in May 2006.

Speaking at the function, the Finance Minister Lyonpo Wangdi Norbu said the assistance was significant as it came for first ever democratic parliamentary elections.

The Indian ambassador to Bhutan, Mr. Sudhir Vyas said the memorandum of understanding had led to close and intense exchanges and mutually supportive interaction between the two commissions.

The Chief Election Commissioner, Dasho Kuenzang Wangdi described the government of India’s support for purchasing the electronic voting machines as invaluable and timely.

A practical demonstration on the use of the electronic voting machine was also carried out on the occasion.

Also present at the occasion was the finance secretary Dasho Yangki T Wangchuk and election officials.

Meanwhile, the government of India will depute two teams of election observers to observe the primary round of the mock election on 21st April and the general elections on 28th May.
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2007, April 17: The National Commission for Women and Children, NCWC said they are concerned about the treatment of novice monks in the Dratshang, Rabdey, and Monastic schools. The Commission also said while schools across the kingdom are receiving sufficient support from the government, monastic schools are not.

A report by the NCWC shows that with the enrolment of children in the Lobdras and Shedras increasing, child protection is a major concern. It says the enrolment has increased beyond the capacity of the Lobdras and the Shedras.

Also many Lobdras and Shedras are managed through informal financing. So the Dratshang has to find ways and means to support students.

During a three day National Consultation Workshop on Child Protection in Paro the executive director of NCWC, Dr. Rinchen Chophel children under the age of 15 are entitled to care and support from the government.

He said most children in the monastic schools come from poor family and need more attention and support but they don’t receive it.

During the meeting the participants discussed the situation of children in the Dratshang and the monastic schools, their security and protection and issues pertaining to their livelihood and health, living condition and exploitation.

The meeting was organized to create awareness among the Dratshang’s senior management on the rights of children and to develop closer working relationship. It was also aimed at finding a mechanism to monitor child care and protection.

Lopen Tashi Geleg from the Dratshang Lhyentshog said they have a better understanding of child rights and protection. However, he said the Dratshang and the monastic schools have their own set of rules.

The Tsirang Lam Neten told BBS that the meeting was timely and necessary. The meeting came out with a set of recommendations to promote child rights in the Dratshang and monastic schools.

Lam Netens from the twenty Dzongkhags and senior monks from the dratshang and monastic schools the meeting.

Meanwhile, a similar meeting for heads of Lobdras and Shedras on child right issues has begun.

2007, April 17: Regularly reviewing the abilities and capacities of an organization will bring about efficiency and professionalism in the working environment according to the royal government’s Organizational Development exercise.

Organizational Development refers to an organization’s efforts to regularly review its mandate and capacities, for taking the right decisions and measures to improve performance and assure delivery of high quality services to the government and the public.

Civil Servants at the executive level attended a seminar on the Organizational Development exercise in the capital yesterday.

The organizational developmental exercise was launched by the Home and Cultural Affairs Minister, Lyonpo Jigme Thinley on Monday. Speaking at the meeting, the Home and Cultural Affairs Minister said looking at things holistically and knowing that everyone in an organization has a role to play in making it efficient. “At the very least Government organizations can become incompetent, irrelevant and dysfunctional. It is therefore important that organizations are able to respond and react to change.”

Dasho Bap Kezang, the RCSC secretary said organizational development exercise would prepare the government and the civil service to meet the emerging changes and challenges. The OD exercise is being done just ahead of the adoption of constitution, introduction of parliamentary system of government and the 10th fiver year plan," said the secretary.

“It also hopes to take advantages of work completed by the recent people’s project exercise initiated under the dynamic and wise leadership of His majesty the Fifth Druk Gyalpo.”

According to the booklet released by the RCSC, the commission will initiate organizational developmental exercises in all ministries, agencies and Dzongkhags in 2007.

The RCSC secretary said the ministries, agencies and Dzongkhags will be responsible for carrying out their own OD exercises with close coordination and technical backstopping provided by the national Steering Committee and OD task Force. For this, Dasho Bap Kezang, said the role of the executive and leadership was important for the successful implementation and outcome of the OD exercise.

The seminar on Organizational Development also saw presentations from resource people from University of Canberra in Australia.

The Royal Civil Service Commission with the support of National Steering Committee and the Task force from stakeholders will work on the design and guide the implementation processes of the OD exercise.

A success story of Continuing Education Program

2007, April 16: The success and popularity of the education ministry’s continuing education program is growing and growing fast. Initiated in 2005, it provides opportunity to in-service people and out of school adults to continue their education. Just two years after the program was initiated, continuing education programs are now available in several Dzongkhags. And very recently, it has also been introduced in Paro.

The introduction of the continuing education program in Paro comes as good news to many people in the Dzongkhag like Sangay Wangmo. She and 25 others have enrolled for the continuing education program at Kuenga Higher Secondary School.

The program was inaugurated by the education secretary, Dasho Pema Thinley on Saturday. He said it would be challenging for the teachers to teach the continuing education students because their needs and learning would be different from regular students.

Sangay Wangmo, 26 is working with the Bhutan National Bank for the last three years. She told BBS that she is very excited to get back to the learning process in the classroom.

Some of the participants expressed their gratitude to the Royal Government for initiating such program.

“I couldn’t continue my education as I come from a very poor family. My parents couldn’t support although I wanted to learn,” said another participant.

The participants will have to attend two hour of class after office hours everyday. The program was first started in Kelki Higher Secondary School in 2005. Similar programs were also started at the Reldri Higer Secondary School in Phuntsholing.

The Ministry now plans to replicate the program in eastern Dzongkhags too.

2007, April 11: The 11th convocation of the Sherubtse College was held at Sherubtse College in Trashigang yesterday. The convocation ceremony was graced by His Majesty the Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Khesar. Their Royal Highnesses the Princesses, Ashi Dechen Yangzom Wangchuck and Ashi Kelzang Choden Wangchuck also attended the convocation ceremony.

While addressing the gathering of more than 500 graduates His Majesty Jigme Khesar said the Bhutanese youth has a crucial role to play for the socio economic development of the country. His Majesty said that as Bhutan being a small country, individual success depends on the success of the nation. "No one success when the nation has failed".

His Majesty the Druk Gyalpo also stressed that the success of our democratization efforts will decide whether Bhutan’s future will be forever secure and bright. His Majesty added that the success of the democratization depends on today’s youth who are more dynamic and committed to work hard for the nation.

His Majesty reminded the graduates that the success of the good democracy will ensure in fulfilling the aspiration of our Bhutanese people. His Majesty the Druk Gyalpo also emphasized on the importance of building a strong and dynamic Bhutanese economy. His majesty said in the global economy Bhutan should also work hard to compete with the rest of the world.

More than 500 graduates who passed out in 2004, 2005 and 2006 received the award of the degree of Bachelor of Arts, Commerce and Science. A total of 221 graduates were given honor certificate in Arts, 188 graduates in Commerce and 129 in Science.

The college also awarded President’s medal to 12 graduates who obtained the highest percentage of marks in their discipline in the University examinations. The award was introduced to raise the spirit of competitiveness among the students and is being provided in every convocation to scholars excelling in academics. The President’s award was initially introduced by Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck in 2000.

The Vice Chancellor’s representative of Delhi University in India Professor ML Singla, the Minister of Education Lyonpo Thinley Gyamtsho, the Vice Chancellor of the Royal University of Bhutan Dasho Zangley Dukpa, the dzongdags, the drangpons and Lam Netens of six eastern Dzongkhags were also present at the convocation ceremony.

2007, April 11: The much awaited Jigme Dorji Wangchuck Memorial cup archery tournament began at the Changlimithang archery range on Sunday, April 8. This is one of the biggest archery tournaments of the year. The Bhutan Archery Federation organizes four tournaments in a year, two on imported equipment and two on traditional bows and arrows.

This year the Zimdra Automobiles is sponsoring the cash prizes. The team which emerges the winner will get Nu. 1,50,000. In addition, individual players will also receive Nu. 10,000.

The runners up team will receive Nu. 75,000 and the individual players will be awarded Nu. 5000. The archer who wins the highest Karay prize will receive Nu. 15000.

The best archer will get an all expenses three nights trip to Bangkok, the highest Dobji prize winner will get an all expenses two nights trip to Kathmandu in Nepal. The air tickets will be sponsored by Druk air while the expenses for the hotel and meals will be borne by Yangphel tours and travels limited.

Nineteen teams, some of them from Paro, Wangdi, Chuka, and Phuntsholing, are taking part in the tournament.

The finals will be played on May 2nd.

2007, April 10: The National Assembly has banned trade fairs and gambling activities during the Tshechus. But now local businesspeople are saying the ban on trade fairs needs to be reconsidered. They said it is understandable why gambling and sale of alcohol should be banned but sale of food items, garments and handicrafts in the vicinity of the Tshechu area should be allowed.

Gambling, especially card and dice games were popular during the Tshechu. And so was the sale of alcohol. For the young especially, it added to the fun during the festival. They are now a thing of the past after the National Assembly banned trade fairs and gambling activities during Tshechus and other important religious functions.

Gambling and trade fairs including the sale of alcohol are not in keeping with the sacredness of Tshechus. In Chukha, local business people said the sale of garments and others goods in the vicinity of the Tshechu area needs to be reconsidered. They said it is not only affecting local business but also having an adverse effect on the number of spectators coming to witness the Tshechu.

Our reporter Tenzin Wangda who attended the Tshechu said despite the ban some business people did try to set up makeshift shops or display their ware. They had to repack hastily and go back home disappointed. Others still managed to conduct business selling Chinese jackets, blankets, slippers, and other things along the road leading to the tshechu ground.

The vendors said the ban on gambling was very thoughtful on the part of the government but said selling garment and food items should be allowed. Dzongkhag authorities said the ban on gambling and trade fair is justified for protecting the sanctity of the festivals. Some members of the public also agree that the ban is necessary.

Without the open air trade fair, shops in the close vicinity of the Tshechu area are reaping most of the benefits.

2007, April 10: As the day breaks, everyday women of varying age from across the border known in local language as Kurmini come to Samdrupjongkhar town looking for work. They go house to house doing odd jobs, cleaning house, washing cloths, cooking and taking care of other household chores. They charge about Nu. 50 as daily wage. In the evening they go back home.

But now residents are raising concern that some of the women are also operating as commercial sex. They said the women could increase the risk of HIV infection.

A bachelor told BBS that some of the women are indeed working as commercial sex workers.

Another resident, also a bachelor, said he was surprised when he found out from his roommate that the women were available for a fee.

The coordinator of the Multi Sector Task Force said they have carried out numerous campaigns both in the Dzongkhag and in the Gewogs on HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.
But, he said, some of the people are indulging in risky behavior though they know about HIV infection.

A health official in Samdrupjongkhar said with the HIV infection increasing every year, the practice is an issue of concern.

The Kurminis themselves deny the accusation. The told our correspondent Pema Samdrup that most of them were honest hardworking women trying to earn some money to support their family.

However, they said a few might be operating as commercial sex workers though they pretend to come looking for work.

Meanwhile, the Royal Bhutan Police have apprehended a few girls suspected to be operating as commercial sex workers in the hotels and sent them out of town.

2007, April 10: One of the biggest problems the residents of Panbang Dungkhag in Zhemgang are facing is the absence of electricity. Their only source of electricity, two diesel generators, is badly in need of repair. Our Zhemgang correspondent says the residents are now living in darkness.

The residents have been left with no alternative but depend on candles or kerosene lamps. The more affluent have purchased their own personal generators but that is not an option available to most of the people.

The frequent road blocks between Matangguri and Panbang, and the dependence on security escorts is only adding to the problem. It means the supply is often short of the demand.

The Royal Government provided two generators, one for the Panbang Dungkhag and the other for the Matangguri Manas Reserve Forestry Colony. They are now in need of repair.

Acoording to Darjay, the village messenger, the problem increases in the summer due to the frequent road blocks. Panbang runs out of kerosene stock and the price of kerosene sky rockets.

A woman resident said without light they cannot do anything in the darkness. She said Panbang is a hot place and the absence of electricity is increasing the risk of diseases.

But the Gay-Drung, the Gup’s clerk, said there is hope yet. The power transmission line from Kurichu Hydro Power Corporation to Nganglam passes through Panbang. This he said gives them hope that they will soon not have to live in darkness.

2007, April 07: The members of parliament shall wear blue kabneys without frills and Patang according to the draft parliamentary entitlements act. They will get Nu. 30,000 per month as salary.

The draft parliamentary entitlements act has been posted on the website of the draft constitution www.constitution.bt.

The six page draft act has six chapters. It contains information ranging from the National Committee on Parliamentary entitlements, salary, allowances and benefits to the Kabney of the members of parliament. The draft act also has provision for resignation and retirement benefits.

The act shall apply to all the members of parliament but shall not apply to the members of the Lhengye Zhungtshog. The salary of the members of parliament has been fixed at Nu. 30,000 per month. The draft act states that the salary, allowances, benefits and other emoluments of the Speaker of the National Assembly, Chairperson of the National Council and the leader of the Opposition Party shall be equivalent to that of cabinet ministers.

The members of parliament shall be entitled to the use of executive lounge while traveling in and out of the country and a sitting fee of Nu. 800 per day. The members shall also be paid 30 % of the salary as house rent allowance during the term of office.

According to the draft act, the members of parliament shall wear blue kabneys without frills and patang except for the five eminent persons nominated by His Majesty the Druk Gyalpo to the National Council. They shall wear the same kabney awarded to them before becoming the member of the National Council. However the eminent persons shall also wear the blue kabney if they have not been awarded a kabney before being appointed as member of the National Council.

It also states that the Members of Parliament, the speaker of the National Assembly and the Chairperson of the National Council shall not wear the official kabney once they cease to be a member of the parliament.

Members of the Parliament shall be entitled to pension and provident fund benefits in accordance with the pension and provident fund laws and rules.

The draft parliamentary entitlements act will be formally enacted by the new parliament after the first general election in 2008.

2007, April 04: The 14th Summit of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation opened with Afghanistan formally inducted as the 8th member of the regional grouping. Bhutan is represented to the meeting by the Prime Minister Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk.

Speaking at the summit, Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk said Bhutan stands today at the threshold of momentous developments. “The kingdom is now set on the irreversible path to a full fledged parliamentary democracy as a Constitutional Monarchy,” he said. Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk added that the people of Bhutan look forward to the year 2008 with great anticipation albeit with some anxiety.

“It will be a year that will usher in multi party politics and a set of leaders directly accountable to the people through the ballot. It will be the year that the Bhutanese people will pay tribute to the dynasty that has brought peace, stability and progress as we celebrate the centenary of the monarchy. Above all it will be the year that our fifth ruler His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck will be formally coroneted amid great jubilation. Indeed as we stand at the threshold of these momentous developments we are greatly comforted by the fact that we have an equally capable, visionary and leader in the person of our fifth king to lead and guide the country at a very significant juncture of its history,” said the Prime Minister.

The 14th SAARC Summit assumers added significance as Afghanistan joins the regional grouping as its eighth member. Lyonpo Khandu wangchuk said that the summit this time marks an important milestone in the history of the association with the admission of Islamic republic of Afghanistan as a member sate.

Key global and regional powers including the US, EU, China, Japan and South Korea are also participating as observers. Lyonpo said that the inclusion of several observers at the summit is a reflection of the growing interest in the SAARC body.

The summit was inaugurated by the Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. Speaking at summit, the Indian Prime minister said South Asia is in the midst of an "unprecedented" economic and political transformation and governments of the region have been working together to address the issues. Dr Singh asked SAARC member nations to implement their commitments and pledged to root out terrorism.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has announced liberalization of the visa regime and a duty-free access to the South Asian neighbors before the end of this year. Dr Singh said a ''primary requirement for the fulfillment of our vision of prosperity and cooperation in South Asia is peace.

The summit will consider recommendations of various ministerial meetings held since the 13th Summit. It is expected to discuss issues related to Free Trade Agreement, Health, Culture, Poverty Alleviation and Environment.