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2007, August 01: Potato production in eastern Bhutan has dropped by almost half this year.

Agriculture officials in Tashigang attribute the fall to lack of rain earlier during the season and poor quality of seeds.

The potato harvest is also being prevented from being brought to the auction yard in Samdrupjongkhar by the Monsoon rain.

The Manager of the Food Corporation of Bhutan in Samdrupjongkhar said usually by this time all the three warehouses would be filled with potatoes.

However this season except for one warehouse, the other two are empty. Our reporter Tenzin Namgyel says it’s very likely that the two stock rooms will continue to remain empty if the downpour continues.

On the brighter side, potatoes prices have soared. A kilogram of potato fetches around Nu. 13 compared to Nu. 9 last year.

The Monsoon rain has also left Thrimshing and Kangpara Gewogs in Tashigang cut off after landslides blocked the feeder road leading to the two gewogs.

Villagers have not been able to take their produce to the market. Potatoes and chilies are the two main cash crops of the people there.

With the monsoon showing no sign of receding, the people are now getting worried that their agricultural produce will rot.

2007, August 01: The Monsoon rain has triggered landslides and disrupted road communication and power supply. It has also damaged crops, washed away bridges and threatened homes. However for the farmers in Tsirang, Dagana and Trongsa, it was a blessing in disguise.

Rain is what the farmers of Dangdung under Langthel geog in Trongsa have been praying for.

That’s because farmers in these villages have not been able to transplant their paddy so far due to acute shortage of water.

The farmers said they have suffered from water scarcity every paddy transplantation season for over a decade now.

The intensity differed from season to season. In some season the transplantation was delayed, at other times, they had to leave some of their field fallow.

Their only assured source of water is a small stream in the village. This is not adequate and when the Monsoon rain fails, the water level in this small stream drops.
This year though, things couldn’t be better. They have had abundant rain and the farmers are busy transplanting paddy.

However they feel the delay caused by the late arrival of the Monsoon may affect the production. Water scarcity is a constant problem. The village Tshogpa said they don’t even have enough drinking water.

The District Agriculture officer told BBS that they have plans to open irrigation canal for the village. Dangdung village has about 250 acres of wet land.

Meanwhile in Tsirang and Dagana too, the recent torrential rain was welcomed by the farmers. It has prevented the farmers from keeping their paddy field fallow. Scanty rain at the start of paddy transplantation season has left the farmers in Tsirang and Dagana worried.

However the recent continuous rain came to their rescue. As our correspondent Sonam Ugyen reports farmers are busy transplanting paddy.

Their worries do not end with it. Paddy transplantation season is already over.

Farmers are now concerned that the delay might affect the yield.

2007, August 01: Kerosene will be sold on coupon system in Trashigang Dzongkhag. Beginning from yesterday, each coupon holder will get ten liters of kerosene a month.

This was decided at the 88th Dzongkhag Yargye Tshogdu last Friday.

Regional Director of the Trade and Industry office in Mongar said anyone with business license can acquire the coupon and sell kerosene. Previously only specified agents were allowed.

Our reporter Dorji Dema says people faced difficulties in getting fuel from the agents and at times had to go all the way to Mongar to buy kerosene.

The coupon system is expected to curb misuse of kerosene by petroleum distributors.

Trashigang Dzongkhag provides 4400 liters of kerosene a month.

2007, August 02: A Bhutanese meal is never complete without a chilly. In western and eastern Bhutan green chilies are very popular but in southern Bhutan it is Doley Khorsany.

Our reporter Sonam Ugyen says in Tsirang, Doley Khorsany is one of the fastest selling commodities.

Around this time of the year one item that dominates the Sunday vegetable market in Tsirang is the dolay khorsany.

Ap Prem from Dajay village of Rangthang gewog says Dolay khorsany can be sold easily compared with other local produce.

Ap Prem makes it a point to bring a few kilos of Dolay khorsany along with other vegetables. He said people come to buy the chilly from as far as Thimphu. A kilogram of these round marble sized chilies fetches about 40 Ngultrums.

When it hits the market for the first time each season, they fetch anywhere between 70 and 100 Ngultrums.

Most of the people our reporter talked to said they liked the flavor, the smell and the burning taste.

Some elderly people believe that the chilly can cure stomach ulcer. However doctors said this is not true.

Some say the chilli is addictive. It has now become impossible for them to eat food without Doley Khorseny.

The chilly is mostly used for making pickle while some store them for winter.

Hoteliers also stock up the chilli for their customers.

Our reporter says the doley khorsany ezay is a common sight in hotels in Tsirang.

2007, August 02: The Trade and Industry Minister Lyonpo Yeshey Zimba and the Indian Ambassador to Bhutan Mr. Sudhir Vyas jointly released the Bhutan Energy Data Directory 2005 on Tuesday evening, July 31.

The data directory is part of the integrated energy management master plan project.

According to the Director General of the Department of Energy, the directory is a compilation of all available data on demand and supply situation for energy in the country.

It will help to develop future policy objectives and strategies for the sustainable supply of energy.

Dasho Sonam Tshering said this can be used as baseline information for the analysis of future energy demand- supply scenario and their implications on the socio economic development in the country.

Speaking at the book release Lyonpo Yeshey Zimba said there is energy crisis everywhere in the world and the cost for energy is sky rocketing. He said Bhutan is lucky to have high potential in hydro power production but have to conserve the resources.

The integrated energy management master plan project was undertaken with a funding of 85 million Ngultrums from the Indian government.

It was started in January 2005 and will be completed in June 2008

2007, August 02: The Tashigang District Court has sentenced a 21 year old man to 9 years in prison for rape of a minor. The court verdict was passed yesterday, August 01.

The incident occurred on June 23 in Bainang village under Yangneer Gewog.

The convict, Cha Dorji, raped the six year old girl after he took her to a nearby bush on the pretext of collecting wild fruit.

Cha Dorji is an orphan. He is a distant relative of the victim.

The rape was discovered by the girl’s mother who informed the father who in turn informed the police.

According to the court verdict, apart from serving the prison term, the convict is also required by law to pay financial compensation to the victim but since he is an orphan with no financial resources, the compensation has been waived off.

2007, August 03: The torrential rain is also affecting farm work. In Bumthang, the harvesting of potato has been delayed by the relentless rain.

As our Bumthang correspondent Tandin Phuntsho reports, if it was not for the rain, Bumthaps would have finished harvesting the potato by now.

The rain in Bumthang shows no sign of stopping. It has been raining non stop for the last two weeks. For the farmers here the rains couldn’t have come at a worse time. It coincided with the harvest time for potatoes.

Most of the farmers have no other option but to stay put at home.

44 year old Kezang is one of them. But routine visit to the field is important to check if the field is flooded. If the filed is flooded, the potatoes will begin to rot.

This year he has cultivated potatoes in about one acre of his field. He hopes to harvest about a truckload of potatoes. But the continuous rain has turned his fields into little pools.

The chance of a good harvest is slim. This is what he finds, rotten potatoes.

The rain is literally washing away the fruit of his hard labor. It becomes worse when animals make their way into the fields.

We went to the Metrological Section which was established in 1992 to learn what we can about the rain patterns in Bumthang.

Karma Wangda is the in-charge here. He told BBS that there is not much difference in the rain fall patterns in Bumthang. But all Kezang can do now is salvage what he can.

2007, August 03: All the 100 chimis have officially resigned. The resignation came into effect from July 31.

The National Assembly Secretary Nima Tshering however said the National Assembly will not be dissolved until the new government is elected.

Speaking to BBS, the National Assembly Speaker Dasho Ugyen Dorji said the chimis have resigned a month after the 87th session of the national assembly concluded.

They were given the one month’s time to visit their constituency and brief the people on the national assembly resolutions.

Dasho Ugyen Dorji said they are now free to join politics.

While most chimis have joined the political pray, Dasho Ugyen Dorji said he has no intention of joining politics.

Describing himself as a businessman, he said it is not necessary to join the political bandwagon to serve the nation.

He said he will serve the nation as a businessman, promoting private sector growth, and as a tax payer.

Dasho Ugyen Dorji has served as the national assembly speaker from 2000.

2007, August 03: Thirteen students from the Uzorong Lower Secondary School in Tashigang are being treated for burns of varying degree at the Uzorong BHU, the Tashigang hospital, and the Mongar regional hospital.

Doctors said, all of them are stable and recovering.

The doctors assured that none of them are serious. Two of the students have since been discharged.

The incident occurred at around 7pm yesterday while the school was celebrating the centenary of the world scouting movement.

The students suffered the burns after the Olympic-style-torch which was being carried by a boy scout blew up.

When the torch blew up, the spirit inside the torch and flames were thrown all over the students.

The reason why the torch blew up is being investigated.

Dr. Dorji Penjor of the Trashigang hospital said the students are in stable condition.

Police and education officials are investigating the case.

2007, August 04: The trade department says the accusation made by two transport bus operators that the Bhutan Oil Distributors in Luntenzampa in Thimphu have sold them adulterated fuel is baseless.

The two transport operators, Dhug and Meto transport companies, made the accusation on 23rd July.

They said their buses refused to restart after they reached the bus terminal after refueling at the Bhutan Oil Distributors Lungtenzampa outlet.

They said upon checking they found that the fuel had been mixed with water.

A news release from the trade department says they conducted an on-the-spot investigation.

It says the density of the fuel was within the permissible limit.

The presence of water has also not been discovered.

It says subsequent tests conducted both in Thimphu and Siliguri in India have declared the fuel free of foreign substance or impurity.

2007, August 04: The new Tangmachu Bridge in Lhuntse is now open to the traffic. The bridge was opened on Wednesday.

The construction of the 70 meter long bridge was completed last month, five months ahead of schedule. It was started in November 2005.

The Bridge was formally opened to traffic by the Resident Representative of the JICA office in India.

Also present at the function were the Lhuntse Dzongda, the Lam Neten, Dzongkhag officials and representatives from JOCV, the Dai Nippon Construction and CPC, a Japanese consultant firm.

The Chief engineer Jangchu Yeshi said the new bridge is being handed over because the old bridge is dilapidated. The new Tangmachu Bridge is one of the many bridges included under the second phase of the bridge reconstruction project.

It was constructed at a cost of 135 million Ngultrums from the government of Japan.

Two other bridges are under construction. They are the Wakley Tar Bridge on the Wangdi-Tsirang highway and the Sunkosh Bridge in Dagana.

According to the project Chief Engineer, eight new bridges will be built under the project.

2007, August 04: The 5th Bhutan Trade Show opened at the archery ground below the Paro Tshongdue town yesterday.

The five day trade show is being organized by the Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry and New Wave Display Company in India.

About 80 stalls, including seven Bhutanese stalls are taking part in the annual event.

On display are a wide range of commodities, from electronics, gadgets, home appliances, construction material to cars and cosmetics.

The show also features garments and textiles, handicrafts and furniture.

Speaking at the ceremony, the secretary general of the Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Phub Tshering, said the Bhutan trade show aims to promote trade and commerce.

It is also intended to promote awareness of the quality and range of goods.

Meanwhile with only seven Bhutanese stalls taking part in the trade show, the BCCI secretary general said the number of Bhutanese participants has gone done compared to last year.

“Most of the people do not seem to understand the trade Show. The ongoing road widening works along the Thimphu-Paro highway has also contributed to the fall in the number,” said Phub Tshering.

The five day Bhutan Trade Show will end on Tuesday.

2007, August 05: The incessant rain last week triggered landslides and disrupted road communication especially in southern parts of the country. In Sarpang, the rain caused extensive damage to homes and farmland.

The Sarpang River, fed by the monsoon rain, submerged farmland and caused extensive damage to household properties in Sarpang and Gelephu.

The flood water washed away two meat shops and a kitchen. Shopkeepers said they do not feel safe whenever it rains. Meanwhile some of the shops located in more precarious areas shifted to safer places. They were assisted by armed forced personnel, civil servants and public.

The incessant rain also disrupted road and telecommunications. It also hampered the ongoing infrastructure development work. Our reporter Sonam Rinchen said most of the water pipes have been washed away.

The Sarpang Dzongda said the Dzongkhag administration is making efforts to clear the debris left behind by the flood water and repair the damages caused by the flood.

This is the third time that Sarpang has been hit by flood triggered by the torrential rains. The first one occurred in 1996, which washed away the whole town. The second flood occurred in 2002.

2007, August 06: Price of vegetable in Samdrupjongkhar has hiked by almost double since the past two weeks.

The price hike is due to the lack of supply, both local and from India.

A kilogram of green chilies costs between Nu. 60 to Nu. 100 and a kilogram of cabbage costs Nu. 20 at the Samdrupjongkhar vegetable market and the neighboring Indian town of Darranga.

Our reporter says earlier a kilogram of chilly used to cost between Nu. 20 to Nu. 25 and a kilogram of cabbage costs only Nu. 5. Vegetable vendors said the hike is because of the low supply and flash floods in the Indian state of Assam.

Our reporter said, usually when the vegetable season in Bhutan is over it is replaced by vegetables from India.

Local residents told our reporter that the local produce has been on the decline. A farmer from Womrong, Trashigang said initially they could not cultivate the vegetables on time due to lack of rain and after the cultivation the dry spell continued which hampered the growth of the vegetables.

The dry spell was then followed by continuous rainfall deferring harvesting which damaged most of the vegetables.

A vegetable vendor from the Indian town of Darranga said the price hike can partially be blamed on the flash floods experienced by Assam in India. He added that it is also difficult to get fresh vegetables.

Meanwhile vegetable production from the 6 eastern Dzongkhag has gone down according to the manager of the FCB in Samdrupjongkhar.

He said normally at this time of the year vegetable auction is in full swing. However only few sacks of vegetables are arriving.

2007, August 06: South Asia Free Media Association has established a local chapter in Bhutan and also formed a 12 member executive body yesterday.

With the establishment of the local chapter, Bhutanese journalists will get enhanced opportunities to interact with journalists from South Asian countries.

The Chief Justice Lyonpo Sonam Tobgay was the guest of honor at the launch. Also present were government officials and Bhutanese journalists.

South Asia Free Media Association is a non-governmental body consisting of journalists from all media.

It was established in 2000 to strengthen the media by building professionalism, enhance networking and interaction among South Asian journalists, and promoting a free flow of information within the region.

Speaking at the launch, the Chief Justice Lyonpo Sonam Tobgye said free press has a mandated role in the electoral process, securing freedom, guarding liberty, safeguarding political morality, embedding moral values, and protecting the security and sovereignty.

In an interview with the Bhutanese media, the secretary general of the SAFMA, Imtiaz Alam said the establishment of the Bhutan Chapter is timely with the country about to embrace democracy.

The local chapter will initiate interaction among journalists from SAARC countries and coordinate trainings for the journalists.

A 12 member executive body has been formed and the office bearers including the President and the General Secretary have also been elected.

With the establishment of chapter in Bhutan, SAFMA now has chapters in all the eight SAARC countries.

2007, August 07: The People’s Democratic Party yesterday officially submitted their application to the Registrar for political parties of the election commission to formally register the party.

Before submitting the party application the party members settled the accounts with the accounts division of the Election Commission. It is a prerequisite without which the documents will not be accepted.

The party application contains the full and the abbreviated name of the party, the Name Description, Specification and Pictorial design of the election symbol of the party, party charter, name, designation and addresses of the office bearers of the party, location and mailing address of the party head office and regional offices and the names and addresses of the registered members.

The Registrar of the political parties Thinley Wangchuk said this is not the formal registration of the party. It will set in motion the formality of registration of the political party.

Thinley Wangchuk said upon approval for registration as a political party, a certificate of registration will be issued. The registry will be open for public viewing at the office of the registrar and on the website of the Election Commission at www.election-bhutan.org.bt

2007, August 07: With the resignation of the seven cabinet ministers, the planning commission and the advisory committee has been dissolved. The seven ministers were also members of the planning commission. Their resignation officially comes into effect yesterday.

Till the planning commission is reconstituted, the planning commission secretariat will continue its functions in accordance to its existing mandate.

Aid coordination, which has previously been looked after by the department of aid and debt management, will now be looked after by the planning commission secretariat.

According to an executive order issued by the Prime Minister the move will prepare the planning commission for post 2008.

It says as the lead planning and coordination institution, it has to be strengthened by consolidating all planning and programming related functions.

The external debt management function has been transferred to the department of public accounts.

2007, August 08: The Royal Advisory Council has now been dissolved. The Royal Advisory Council has nine members -six elected by the people, two representatives of the clergy, and one nominated by the government who functions as the Chairman of the Council.

The Lodey Tshogdey was established in 1965 to advise the King and government ministers and to supervise the implementation of programmes and policies laid down by the National Assembly.

The Zhung Kalyon Dasho Rinzin Gyaltshen said after the resignation of the Chimis and the cabinet ministers, the royal advisory council has in effect become defunct.

"The reason for the dissolving is because with the last National Assembly and the resignation of the Ministers it seems there is no work for us in the office to function as an advisory body. So on 6th August with consultation with His Majesty we have asked for resignations The royal advisory council has also resolved all pending cases before it was dissolved. We have solved many cases and the last cases about 21 were solved after discussing with the High Court. We had joint verdict for 16 cases and rest 5 we could not jointly commit to it but after putting up to HM it has come through," said Dasho Rinzin Gyaltshen.

The Zhung Kalyon said he will continue to serve the country as a civil servant and has no intentions of joining politics.

2007, August 08: Gasa Dzongkhag is one of the remotest Dzongkhags. This is one of the main reasons why the attorney general Damcho Dorji decided to leave a secure prestigious job to join the uncertain world of politics.

He is joining the People’s Democratic Party. Bhutan’s firs attorney general Damcho Dorji is from Choling village under Khatoey Gewog in Gasa. He will contest from the Khatoey- Laya constituency.

He said there will be no dearth of capable competent people who can replace him as the attorney general and the people in Gasa needs him more.

“But coming from a remote district like Gasa, I felt that there was a need for dedicated people of the Dzongkhag to work for the people more because they need your service more. So it was the combination of the need of the time and also my interest to serve the people. Especially to give something back to the community I belong. This has prompted me to go for politics. Also the people of my constituency have expressed their full support if I join politics,” said Damcho Dorji.

He said the decision to join PDP was made by the people of his constituency. If elected, he will focus on improving the living standard of rural people, narrow the widening income gap between the haves and have-not, and care for the aged and disabled.

“Even among the civil servants I feel the gap between the highest and the lowest paid jobs. I still fail to understand that how people of lowest rank are surviving in a place like Thimphu, with house full of dependents. Therefore I honestly feel that there is a need to improve the living standard and income. That would be done by bridging the gap between the highest and lowest paid jobs,” added Damcho Dorji.

He was appointed as the first Attorney General of Bhutan in August 2006. Before that he served as the Director of the Office of Legal Affairs. He joined the Civil Service in November 1990 after completing Bachelors degree in economics from Sherubtse College in Kanglung.

2007, August 09: The public has been complaining that the service at the national referral hospital is poor. They have to wait for hours just to register and that it is almost impossible to see the doctor.

They say most often than not they have to go back home without getting to see the doctor.

In an exclusive interview with BBS, Lyonpo Jigme Singye who resigned as the Health Minister last Monday admitted that there is a need to improve the service at the hospital.

The problem, he said, is being aggravated by shortage of doctors. The population is increasing. This, he said, is increasing the pressure on the existing infrastructure.

“So one need to look at the underlined causes, why these things are happening and one of reasons are, Shortage of health personnel, particularly at the doctors level, more serious at specialized level .They are very over stressed .They have to attend the out patient department to see patient coming daily in the department .And at the same time they also have to look at in patient, patients who are in the wards. One of the things that are not often told to the outpatient department is that where the doctors are and what he is doing and at time he will be back? So there is lack of communication.”

Lyonpo Jigme Singye said the situation will improve with completion of the 350 bed hospital. He said changing the hospital timing to suit the needs of the people will also help solve the problem to some extent.

“Regarding the poor services, there are so many areas we can improve. One area is trying to change the timing of the hospital. Right now it coincides with other offices timing’s at certain times they tend to rush. So if we spread this timing, though it would mean increasing manpower requirement we have to do in two shifts. Soon I expect that hospital will change timing like outpatient and emergency timing that would be suitable to the public.”

2007, August 10: Teenage Pregnancies and substance abuse are on the rise in Bumthang. This was revealed by the District Medical Officer Dr. Nima Wangchuk during an awareness campaign on teenage pregnancies and substance abuse conducted in Chummey middle secondary school.

In 2006, the Wangdicholing hospital provided antenatal service to nine teenage pregnant girls. They were all between 15 and 18 years. The figure this year has already reached seven.

The District Medical Officer, Dr. Nima Wangchuk told our reporter that all seven are undergoing regular antenatal checkup at the hospital. He said most of the teenage mothers are from broken families. In some cases they have been sexually abused and have had a traumatic childhood.

Doctors also found that most of them come from low socio-economic background and are usually poor in studies. Doctors say it is risky to become pregnant at an early age.

They say young mothers could die from pregnancy complications such as premature labor, still births and spontaneous miscarriages. At the awareness session, the District legal officer also talked about the legal aspects of teenage pregnancies and substance abuse.

About 400 students and teachers of Chummey Middle Secondary School took part in the session. The team led by the Dzongda will be conducting similar programs in all the schools in Bumthang.

2007, August 10: Continuous rainfall for the past few weeks in Pemagatsel has completely damaged a two storied traditional Bhutanese house.

Two concrete have also developed cracks in the building wall and ceiling following the rain.

Residents are worried about their safety but they said they have no alternative but to continue to occupy the houses.

A two storied mud house collapsed on the night of July 30 at Zophel Gewog leaving 12 people homeless. The families are now living in tents having lost all their belongings.

Our reporter Tenzin Namgyel says these families are facing a difficult time. Following the continuous downpour, cracks have been found in the walls and ceilings of two concrete buildings in Pemagatshel town.

Sonam Zangmo is the owner of one of the houses. The tenants are spending sleepless nights worried that the house may collapse.

Police, Dzongkhag officials and grassroots leaders are investigating the extent of damage.

Their reports will be sent to the Royal Insurance Corporation of Bhutan in Samdrupjongkhar.

2007, August 10: The Royal Government has announced the appointment of five senior government officials at executive level with immediate effect.

The former Education Secretary Dasho Pema Thinley has been appointed as the Vice Chancellor of the Royal University of Bhutan.

The Thimphu Thrompon, Nima Wangdi, has been appointed as the Secretary of Ministry of Works and Human Settlement.

The Director General of Agriculture, Sherub Gyeltshen, is the new Agriculture Secretary.

The Director General of Industry, Sangay Khandu, has been appointed as the Secretary of the National Land Commission.

The Chief of Policy and Planning Division of Foreign Ministry, Pema Choden, is the Managing Director of Bhutan Broadcasting Service.

The RCSC Secretary Dasho Bap Kesang said 121 civil servants have resigned. However exactly how many are resigning to join politics could not be ascertained.

2007, August 11: In another milestone in its history, the Bhutan Broadcasting Service Corporation inaugurated the installation of a new 100 kilowatt radio transmitter yesterday.

The inaugural ceremony of the installation of the new 100 kilowatt radio transmitter was attended by the Indian Ambassador to Bhutan, Sudhir Vyas. Also present were the Information and communications minister, Lyonpo Leki Dorji and other government officials.

Addressing the gathering, the information and communications minister Lyonpo Leki Dorji said Bhutan being a mountainous country with rugged terrain, isolated and inaccessible settlements and far flung communities, BBS radio remains the most powerful medium to inform, educate and entertain the masses.

Speaking at the function, the Managing Director of the Bhutan Broadcasting Service Corporation, Mingbo Dukpa said Radio and TV are powerful tools of communication. He said any development to further enhance the capacity of the broadcast media marks an important milestone in the development of the country. BBS radio has come a long way since it was established as an amateur radio station in 1973. BBS Radio today broadcast 100 hours of News and Programs in 4 languages in a week.

Since its inception, BBS Radio has become the source of news and information for Bhutanese who live in scattered rural settlements across the kingdom.

Its importance cannot be emphasized with historic changes taking place in the country. With today’s inauguration of the new 100 kilowatt shortwave transmitter, BBS Radio can reach listeners around the globe as far as New Zealand and Netherlands.

The short wave transmitter was installed with financial support from the Indian Government.

2007, August 11: Samtse Dzongkhag now has two contestants to the national council election. The second contestant declared his intention to contest the election yesterday.

He is Chhatrapati Phuyel a broadcast journalist by profession. Over the last 6 years he has worked as a program producer and a news editor with the Bhutan Broadcasting Service Corporation.

Chhatrapati Phuyel hails from the Tarigaon village under Dorokha geog. He has a Master’s Degree in Linguistics and Nepali literature from the Tribhuvan University in Nepal and a Bachelor’s Degree in Sanskrit, Nepali, and English from the Banaras Hindu University in India.

He decided to join politics motivated by the desire to serve the people and encouraged by friends, relatives and people of Dorokha gewog.

If elected, Chhatrapati Phuyel wants to focus on ensuring an equitable and balanced development. He also wants to ensure that rural areas are connected with communication facilities and have basic amenities like health, education, water and electricity.

2007, August 12: Politicians do not have a very positive image and politics, especially party politics, is considered dirty admits Dasho Zangley Dukpa, the former vice chancellor of the Royal University of Bhutan.

Politics is essentially not dirty and in Bhutan, it need not become dirty at all he insists. Because the Bhutanese society is small and everybody knows everybody, it would be difficult for politicians to engage in dirty wheeling dealing he said. If and when they do so, the people will see through their act.

Speaking to BBS, Dasho Zangley Dukpa said, it has been very difficult deciding to leave the comfort and security of a high profile job and venture out into the uncertain world of politics.

But having decided to join politics, he wants to go to his constituency and visit every gewog to gain a deeper understanding of the concerns and aspirations of the people.

He is joining the Druk Phuensum Tshogpa and will be contesting from the Khar-Urung constituency in Pemagatshel.

2007, August 13: Dungkhar Gewog in Lhuenste cut off from the rest of the kingdom Parts of Dungkhar gewog in Lhuenste have been literally cut off from the rest of the Kingdom for almost a month now after landslides triggered by heavy rains blocked the road at several places.

Our reporter Karma Tenzin says landslides have occurred at 12 different points along the road between Dungkar and proper Lhuentse. Some vehicles are still stranded on the way.

The department of roads has deployed men and machinery to clear the road.

They said it will take another week to clear the road.

2007, August 13: Taxi drivers in Thimphu said that despite repeated request, concerned authorities have done nothing on the taxi stand. The taxi drivers committee also submitted a proposal for a taxi service office to be established in Thimphu.

Dorji Wangchuk, a taxi committee member said the taxi service office if established will benefit the public since taxi service will be made available 24 hours.

The Thrompon Nima Wangdi said the works on the construction of taxi stand has been delayed. He cited dispute over the ownership of the existing taxi parking area and budget constraint as some of the reasons.

The Thrompon said the dispute has now been settled and the works will begin soon. The Thimphu City Corporation will be spending two and a half million Ngultrum towards it.

Speaking to the taxi drivers the city corporation Thrompon Dasho Nima Wangdi said the city corporation will be spending Nu. 2.5 million for the development of the taxi parking.

During the meeting RSTA officials and traffic police briefed the taxi drivers and owners on the road safety rules and cause of accidents. The traffic police superintendent, Karma Tenzin said it is important for taxi drivers to be aware of the traffic discipline.

A meeting was organized for the taxi drivers in Thimphu with the officials from traffic police, City Corporation, and RSTA.

According to Superintendent of the traffic police one of the main reasons for organizing this meeting is to inform and keep the taxi drivers aware of the accidents occurred so far.

About 500 taxi drivers took part in the meeting at the Yangchenphu Higher Secondary School auditorium.

2007, August 14: A 42 year old man has been electrocuted in Nathongla in Tashiyangtse on Sunday.

Eye witnesses told our reporter Tenzin Namgyel that the deceased was erecting an electric pole with two other friends when the incident occurred.

The deceased was thrown off about three meters when the electric pole they were erecting touched a live wire.

The two other friends who were also thrown off sustained minor injuries. They were discharged from the Trashiyangtse hospital yesterday morning.

The deceased was from Shongphu in Trashigang. He was working as an electrician with the Bhutan Power Corporation office in Trashiyangtse. He is survived by his wife and four children.

This is the second electrician to get electrocuted in eastern Bhutan this year. Last month an electrician with the BPC office at Nangkor in Pemagatshel was electrocuted.

2007, August 15: Shumar gewog under Pemagatshel Dzongkhag has been connected with power supply.

There are more than 240 households in the gewog. The Shumar Gup told our reporter Tenzin Dorji that electricity supply is expected to make people’s life convenient and better.

Some of the weavers said they can now weave at night and earn extra income. Power Manager Tshering Tenzin said with this about 50 percent of rural electricity supply in Pemagatshel has been completed.

The rest is expected to complete by 2017.

2007, August 15: Bhutan and the UN Development Programmes will be working closely to promote culture-based industries in the country.

Towards this, representatives from the Ministry of Trade and Industry, The Textile Museum, Handicraft Association of Bhutan and National Institute of Zorig Chusum participated in a two-day workshop to craft a project work plan.

The two-year project aims to help reduce poverty and revitalize community through the use of traditional and indigenous cultural know-how for income generating activities. The project will also provide technical and financial support to existing and emerging cultural industries.

This includes concrete assistance to cultural entrepreneurs in the design, production, certification, and marketing of cultural products.

2007, August 16: A 40 year old man has been washed away by the Gamri Chu in Tashigang.

The incident occurred at around noon on Sunday. He was fishing with two other friends when the incident occurred.

According to his friends, he slipped from the stone on which he was standing and fell into the river. His body has not been recovered as yet. The deceased is survived by his wife and six children.

Meanwhile, his two friends have been fined five thousand Ngultrums each by the forestry department for fishing in a restricted area and on an auspicious day.

Sunday was the 30th day of the sixth Bhutanese month. Fishing on auspicious days is restricted and carries a heftier fine if caught. They were also reportedly using a fishing net which is not allowed.

Earlier this month, an 18 year old boy has been washed away by the Gongri Chu in Tashigang.

The incident occurred at around 10 am on 6th August. After playing a game of Doegor with six other friends, the teenager plunged into the river to refresh himself when he got washed away. His body also has yet to be recovered.

2007, August 16: As India celebrated the 60th Independence Day, the Indian community in Bhutan gathered at the Indian embassy premises to mark the day.

In a message to the Indian President on the occasion, His Majesty the King wished India continued peace, progress, and prosperity.

His Majesty said as a close friend and neighbor, we in Bhutan have noted the highly commendable achievements of the Indian nation since 1947. It is a matter of great pride to us in the region, His Majesty said, that India continues to assume her rightful role in global affairs.

The Indian community gathered at the Indian embassy to celebrate their 60th Independence Day. The day’s celebrations began with the hoisting of the Indian tri-color and the singing their national Anthem.

Then the Indian ambassador to Bhutan Mr. Sudir Vyas read out the Indian President’s address to the nation. The Royal Government was represented at the function by the Gyalpo Zimpon Penjor, the Zhung kalyon Dasho Rinzin Gyeltshen, the Foreign Secretary Yeshi Dorji and other senior government officials. The Gyalpoi Zimpon Penjor offered Tashi Khadhar to the Indian ambassador Mr. Sudhir Vyas. India gained independence from the British on this day in 1947.

2007, August 16:The Druk Phuensum Tshogpa formally elected the former Home and Cultural Affairs Minister Lyonpo Jigme Y Thinley as their party president yesterday.

Following the election of the party president, the Druk Phunsum Tshogpa also submitted their application to election commission to formally register as a political party.

The former home and cultural affairs minister Lyonpo Jigme Y Thinley has been unanimously elected as the party president of the Druk Phuensum Tshogpa at the party’s first Interim Committee meeting.

In his acceptance speech, Lyonpo Jigme Y Thinley said he is honored and concerned at the same time for having been elected as the party president. He said given the support that the party enjoys at all levels across the country, there is no doubt that the party will not win.

The party also unveiled its logo at the meeting. The party also officially submitted their application to the registrar for political parties of the election commission to formally register the party.

The party application contains the full and the abbreviated name of the party, the name, description, specification and pictorial design of the election symbol, party charter, name, designation and addresses of the office bearers, location and mailing address of the party head office and regional offices and names and addresses of the registered members.

2007, August 17: The 16 meter bridge at Simtokha, Thimphu has now been completed and is open to traffic.

The bridge was inaugurated yesterday by the Prime Minister Lyonpo Kinzang Dorji. The Indian ambassador to Bhutan Mr. Sudhir Vyas and senior government officials also attended the inauguration ceremony.

The Simtokha Chu Bridge was constructed by the Border Roads Organization under the project Dantak at a cost of about nine million Ngultrums.

The bridge will facilitate the movement of traffic between Simtokha and Thimphu town.

Project Dantak has constructed about 1600 kilometers of road and approximately 83 bridges in Bhutan in last four decades.

2007, August 17: The RSTA has started issuing the new vehicle registration certificates.

The Road Safety and Transport Authority has come up with three new registration certificates of vehicles. Private vehicles and taxis will have green vehicle registration certificates.

While government vehicles will have white ones, vehicles of diplomatic missions and the royal family vehicles will have brown registration certificates.

Vehicle owners in the capital city are rushing to the RSTA head office. Looking at the crowd, the casual visitor may believe that it is the last minute rush to renew their blue book. But the rush is actually triggered by the demise of the blue book as a new set of vehicle registration certificates is being issued.

The registration forms will be available online from Friday onwards at the website of the authority at www.rsta.gov.bt Vehicle owners do not have to pay for the new registration certificate as long as they produce their current blue book.

The Regional Transport Officer of Thimphu, Dophu told BBS that around 400,000 certificates have been issued so far. He added that issuance of the new certificate will continue till the 28th of October.

He said this will enable the RSTA to update its record of vehicles in the country and to ascertain the exact number of vehicles in the kingdom.

From this Saturday till the 28th of September, the RSTA will remain open on Saturdays from 9am to 5pm to expedite the work of issuing the registration certificates.

2007, August 18: People who are hesitant or too shy to purchase condoms from medical shops do not have to worry any more. The health ministry is increasing the number of outlets where condoms will be made available free. It is also introducing new varieties of condoms.

Condoms are easily available in bars and hotels. But so far there was only one variety. Now you can choose from four different varieties and flavors.

The health ministry is introducing the different varieties to promote the use of condoms. Health officials are also organizing sensitizing workshops to create greater awareness.

While condoms have long been made easily and freely available, the use of condoms remains low. According to health officials, the majority of HIV positive people contacted the virus through unprotected sex with commercial sex workers. The health ministry spends about six million Ngultrums on the condoms but there are concerns that this has not been appreciated by the public and most of the condoms have been misused.

Namgay Tshering, the health ministry’s program officer said they can’t say for sure if the condoms are being misused.

The sensitizing meeting was organized by the health ministry and the multi sector task force in Thimphu. About 100 pan shops and bar owners attended the meeting.

2007, August 18: The Druk Phuensum Tshogpa members have been meeting to finalize the list of candidates who will represent the party in the 2008 elections.

The party coordinators in the Dzongkhags and the Gewogs will also be elected during the meeting which is being held at the Royal Academy of Performing Arts (RAPA) hall.

Over the last two days, the party members discussed various issues ranging from election rules and regulations, party culture and tradition, and election campaign strategy to party membership and fund raising.

The party president, Lyonpo Jigme Y Thinley said their goal is to make the Druk Phunsuem Tshogpa a unique party, a party which is highly ethical and directed towards fulfilling His Majesty’s vision and people’s hopes and aspirations.

The party will decide and appoint the secretary general and establish several committees including the treasury committee, campaign committee, fund raising committee, information and publications committee and disciplinary committee during this meeting.

On Thursday afternoon, the Chief Election Commissioner, Dasho Kuenzang Wangdi briefed the party on the election rules and regulations and postal ballot and associated risks. Dasho Kuenzang Wangdi also informed the meeting that to be a member of a party, one has to be registered voter.

Members also discussed the distribution of membership forms and election campaign fund. The meeting also raised the issue of religious personalities taking part in political activity.

The Chief Election Commissioner, Dasho Kuenzang Wangdi said the commission will look into the matter once all the parties are formally registered.

2007, August 18: Thirty women between 20 and 40 years will be trained as solar engineers in the Barefoot College, India. The participants are semi-literate rural women who have never left their villages.

They will be trained in the installation of solar panels, and fabrication of sophisticated charge controllers and inventors. They will also learn to establish rural electronic workshops in their villages and carry out major repair and maintenance works.

Pema Choden is from Tsamkhor Gewog in Dagana said it was an honor for them to get selected to avail for such training. “We are thankful to India government for taking such initiative. We will work hard and hope to bring back to our villages what we learn there.”

The women were selected from 10 districts after discussing with the grassroots leaders and Dzongkhag officials.

The training is expected to make close to 500 households in 28 villages technically and financially self sufficient solar electrified villages by March 2008.

The project is funded by the Asian Development Bank.

2007, August 18: A 31 year old man from Chaling village in Tashigang has been sentenced to three years in prison for raping a 61 year old woman in April this year.

The Tashigang Dzongkhag Court passed the verdict on Wednesday, August 15.

The court also fined a friend of the rapist who knew about the incident Nu. 9,000 for concealing the case. This is the fifth rape case to be resolved by the Tashigang Dzongkhag court this year.

Sentence for wife battery

Meanwhile, The Wangdiphodrang dzongkhag court has sentenced Tashi Phuntsho, a man from Phongmey in Tashigang to over three and half years imprisonment for wife battery.

On 13th April this year, following a heated argument, Tashi Phuntsho battered his wife. According to the court verdict he then chased her around the house brandishing a knife and caused several grievous bodily injuries.

It says because he remained remorseless, the court refused to allow him to pay fine in lieu of the prison sentence.

2007, August 20: Drugyel Higher Secondary School has been awarded the trophy for the best school agriculture farm by the Asia Pacific Nature Agriculture Network.

The trophy was awarded by the Asia Pacific Nature Agriculture Network. Based in the Thai Capital Bangkok, the organization is a network of countries and promotes organic farming.

Nature or organic farming was introduced by a Japanese professor who foresaw the problems of intensive chemical farming and its impact on food, the environment and human health.

This is the second time Drugyel Higher Secondary School received an international award for its school agriculture program.

In 2003, the school was conferred the Dr. Teru Hega award. It recognizes the use of micro-organism in farming.

The school has also won several inter-school agriculture competitions. The school’s agriculture program officer said the program has helped to impart farming skills to students.

The school agriculture program was initiated as a three year pilot program in six schools in 2000. Today the program has been replicated in 125 schools across the country.

The Secretary of the Ministry of Education Sangay Zam said Bhutanese children know very little about farming. She said the program will equip the students with necessary farming skills. She said with Bhutan importing large amount of food products, it is important for students to be aware of food security.

The school’s agriculture program has generated over fifteen hundred thousand Ngultrums between February and July this year.

2007, August 20: Potato production in the six eastern Dzongkhags has improved in the recent years.

The enhanced production has been due mainly to the assistance provided by the regional agriculture marketing services in Gyelposhing.

The assistance has enabled the farmers to market their potato crop encouraging more farmers to take up potato production. Established last year, the regional agriculture marketing services supports farmers in production, grading and packaging.

It also helps farmers to market potatoes at the auction yard in Samdrupjongkhar. Farmers told our reporter that improved production they have been able to fetch higher price.

This they said has helped enhance their income.

Potato is one of the main cash crops of the farmers in the six eastern Dzongkhags. In recent years potato production has increased. It has emerged as one of the most lucrative business for farmers.

2007, August 20: 2007, August 20: The 6th conference of the South Asian Free Media Association, SAFMA, is being held in the Sri Lankan capital Colombo.

The event will discuss the Media, Peace and Poverty Alleviation. Opening the conference on August 18, the Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mr. Ratnasiri Wikramanayake said, connectivity is the biggest problem in South Asia.

Mr. Ratnasiri Wikramanayake said, if the region is to become a union, it has to overcome the hurdles of access and movement of information.

Delivering the keynote address, the Bangladeshi Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus, said poverty is created by people who create systems.

The noble laureate described poverty as a complicated problem with a simple solution. Participants at the conference pointed out poverty as the greatest problem in the region.

Some 250 journalists from SAARC member countries including seven from Bhutan are participating in the two-day conference.

2007, August 22: The people of Ngatshang Gewog under Mongar Dzongkhag now have access to safe drinking water.

The water supply scheme benefits over 200 people in Farnas and Bakhlumzor villages under Ngatshang Gewog. It was constructed at the cost of over two and a half million Ngultrums.

With the completion of the scheme, only Zhangdari village in the Gewog does not have safe drinking water.

The Ngatshang Gup told BBS that people no longer have to face the problem of drinking water scarcity. Earlier the people of Farnas and Bakhlumzor villages had to walk for about an hour to fetch water.

Meanwhile the construction of a new vegetable market shed in the Gewog has also been completed. The vegetable market shed was constructed for the farmers association of the Gewog.

The coordinator told our reporter Tshering Jamtsho that earlier they couldn’t sell most of their products due to absence of a proper market shed.

The vegetable market shed was constructed by the Dzongkhag Agriculture Marketing Unit with funds from the Agriculture Marketing and Enterprise promotion program at Khangma in Tashigang.

2007, August 22: Namgay Chungku, in his early thirties from Chubu Gewog in Punakha has been sentenced to five years in prison for stealing a thro and kablu.

The sentence was passed by the Punakha Dzongkhag court. Namgay stole the items from Aum Changlom’s house in Reymathang and sold them to an Indian man at Lobesa for Nu. 7,000.

Since Namgay could not identify the individual to whom he sold the items, and there was no way to recover the items, the court has ordered Namgay to pay Aum Changlom Nu. 50,000 for the items he has stolen.

Though the normal sentence for the crime would be one year four month, the court sentenced him to five year since he is an ex-convicted who has been previously served three years in prison for stealing.

2007, August 22: Monggar police have arrested the man accused of raping a class seven student of the Monggar Lower Secondary School.

The 15-year-old girl was allegedly raped by the man in a forest above the school on the evening of August 7.

According to sources, the accused then took her away with him to a hotel in Monggar saying that he will marry her. She was reportedly raped again in the hotel. Police have also apprehended two friends of the accused who according to the victim came to the hotel room around midnight.

Medical examination confirmed the girl has been raped.

Meanwhile the girl has refused to come back to school. The school’s principal, Palden Zangmo, said she and other teachers have tried to persuade her to rejoin the school. The school authority has also spoken to the victim’s parents.

2007, August 23: Commercial activities have picked up significantly in the border town of Gelephu in the past few years.

Commercial activities have picked up significantly in the border town of Gelephu in the past few years. This is evident from the fact that thousands of people from Dadgari in Assam, India enter the town every day.

Our reporter Sonam Rinchen in Gelephu says that some visit as tourists while most come in looking for day jobs. Our reporter adds there are also others who just visit to collect their dues.

According to the immigration officer at the border check post, some1500 to 2000 people of all ages enter every day. Most day workers are employed by Bhutanese in trades like automobile and mechanical workshops, and hotels and restaurants.

Many are also employed as maids and even in paddy transplantation. Most Bhutanese employers say day labourers are of immense help as many Bhutanese aren’t willing to perform manual jobs.

2007, August 23: Youth and Employment, the biggest challenge and employment, the highest priority of the Druk Phuensum Tshogpa.

These were the words of the President of the Druk Pheunsum Tshogpa, Lyonpo Jigmi Y Thinley while addressing party members on the August 20 in Thimphu.

At the meeting attended by more than 500 members, Lyonpo Jigmi Y Thinley presented the 24 articles of the draft manifesto of the Druk Phuensum Tshogpa Lyonpo Jigmi Thinley said it is important to recognize our youth as a vital resource by drawing inspiration from countries such as Singapore whose only asset is human resource in an increasingly knowledge based society.

The DPT president said the 24 articles are just some of the bases for the charter and the manifesto of the party. Lyonpo Jigmi Y Thinley said the manifesto is important because it will be the basis on which the party’s campaign will be conducted and also the basis on which the party would be held accountable if given the mandate to govern.

The 24 articles outlined by the DPT president covered amongst others issues like culture, education and health, environment, private sector development, crime, youth and employment and women.

Lyonpo Jigmi Y Thinley said the farmer, the most important of the electorate and who represent the majority, needs the highest protection through communication infrastructure, income supplementation, rural employment and marketing opportunities.

Lyonpo Jigmi Y Thinley said he would be holding formal and informal rounds of consultations with party members on the draft manifesto.

Saying the DPT’s immediate responsibility is to educate people on the precious nature of the vote and its value, Lyonpo Jigmi Thinley said that party interest will be always be high, but never more than those of the people.

The party is yet to decide and appoint the secretary general and finalize their constituency candidates.

The former trade and industry minister Lyonpo Yeshey Zimba who is taking care of constituency candidate nomination said the selection is being carried out cautiously to ensure that only capable, honest, selfless and sincere people represent the party in the 2008 elections. He also said that it is important for the party to know if the candidates fulfill the criteria set by the Election Commission.

Meanwhile the former Labour and human resources minister, Lyonpo Ugyen Tshering, has been appointed as the interim party secretary general, and the former foreign minister, Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk as the party media spokesperson. The party has also appointed its regional, women and youth spokespersons.

2007, August 23: The Coronation Celebrations must be simple, warm and intimate occasions designed for the Bhutanese people. The Prime Minister Lyonpo Kinzang Dorji said this command was received during the royal audience granted on the August 20.

Speaking to the media today, Lyonpo Kinzang Dorji said during the royal audience granted on the August 20, the Prime Minister received the following commands:

As conveyed during the 87th session of the National Assembly in June 2007, there will be no grand formal Coronation ceremony involving international heads of State and other dignitaries.

The Coronation Celebrations must be simple, warm and intimate occasions designed for the Bhutanese people.

The celebration of the Coronation shall be with the people of the 20 dzongkhags, scheduled and organized to maximize income to the people of the country, while minimizing expenditure.

The Coronation must be founded on Bhutan’s unique image and should focus on: Bhutanese solidarity and pride in our nation Bhutan‘s philosophy of Gross national Happiness embodied in the farsighted policies and development priorities of our nation Bhutan’s unique journey towards democracy Bhutan’s bright economic future – being located strategically between economic giants, and having a large population of motivated young Bhutanese, full of promise.

Bhutan strives to become a nation that respects its unique values and traditions but whose people also embrace the values of Innovation, Creativity and Enterprise.

The Image of Bhutan must be of a nation with sustained growth and success, able to fulfill the aspirations of our people. We must desire this for Bhutan, not only for the celebrations in 2008, but for all time to come.

The Coronation must, therefore, transcend the formal ceremony of the Crowning of the King and should instead symbolize the People’s unified first step in to the bright future of a strong and prosperous democratic Bhutan.

2007, August 24: In Trashigang, the maize production this year may fall by as much as 50% compared to the previous years.

Maize is the one of the main crops in the Dzongkhag.

Agriculture officials attributed the fall to northern corn blight a disease which affects maize. They said farmers in the dzongkhag have lost hundreds of acres of maize to corn blight.

Large tracts of maize have also been damaged by wild boars. In Uzorong and Thrimshing Gewogs, about 30 to 50 acres of maize have been destroyed by wild boars.

Corn blight has affected more than 600 acres of maize in Shongphu and around 200 hundred acres of maize in Yangneer Gewog.

The Dzongkhag Agriculture Officer Dendup Dukpa said the actual damage could be more. He said they have not received reports from all the gewogs.

Our reporter Tenzin Namgyel says there were also reports of crops being ravaged by rats in Kanglung.

The village heads, the Gups, told BBS that this is not the first time that they have lost their crops to wild boars and corn blight. They said they have reported the matter to the concerned authorities in the past but they have not received any sort of compensation.

Agriculture officials said they provide improved seeds and pesticides. They said in the absence of crop insurance scheme, they can’t do anything about compensation.

According to records maintained by the District Agriculture Office, Trashigang farmers harvested about 14,000 metric tones of maize last year.

2007, August 24: Rangsit University in Thailand and the Royal Civil Service Commission signed a memorandum of understanding establishing a scholarship in the name of the Trongsa Penlop.

Under the scholarship, Rangsit University will provide 15 scholarships, 5 for master’s degree and 10 for bachelor’s degree every year for ten years. The scholarships will commence next year with formal coronation of His Majesty the King.

The memorandum of understanding was signed by the President of the Rangsit University, Dr. Arthit Ourairat and the RCSC Secretary Dasho Bap Kezang on August 23.

Apart from the 15 scholarships for masters and bachelors degree courses, the Rangsit University has also pledged to offer 30 certificate level short courses annually for next ten years. For the first year, coinciding with the coronation of His Majesty the King, the university will offer 10 additional scholarships for bachelor’s degree in civil engineering.

The scholarship will cover tuition fees, boarding facilities, and medicinal and living expenses. Speaking to the Bhutanese media, the President of the Rangsit University Dr. Arthit Ourairat said Bhutan and Thailand has so many things in common.

Also Speaking to the Bhutanese media, the RCSC Secretary Dasho Bab Kesang said the courses will be selected based on the changing needs in Bhutan.

Under the MOU, the two parties will review the program annually.

So far, 17 Bhutanese students have already graduated from the University and about 26 students are currently studying in the University through private funding. The scholarship is for both public and private sectors.

2007, August 25: Increasing HIV epidemic in the region is seen as one of the major causes of rise in Multi Drug Resistant Tuberculosis.

This was revealed at a workshop to develop regional guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of Multi Drug Resistant Tuberculosis.

Doctors and medical specialist from Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Maldives attended the five-day workshop in Paro earlier this week.

Another reason for the rise in multi drug resistant TB has been cited as patients not completing the full course of medication.

The Program Director of the SAARC TB center, Dr. Lochana Shrestra said the meeting was organized to develop an effective prevention and management strategy in the region.

More than 32 % of global TB cases are in South Asia Doctors also briefed the teacher trainees at the Paro College of Education on TB and HIV/Aids.

They were also informed on prevention measures and what they could do help disseminate information in their communities.

There are 18 Multi Drug Resistant Tuberculosis cases in Bhutan. According to the National TB control program in Bhutan around 456 Tuberculosis cases are detected every year.

2007, August 25: The Royal Advisory Council and the High Court passed a joint verdict on six cases yesterday. With this, the Royal Advisory Council has finished deciding all the pending cases.

Of the six cases, two are related to the fraudulent practices involved in buying and selling kerosene.

Kerosene is bought from India at highly subsidized price for sale in Bhutan only. It is meant to benefit the people in Bhutan, mainly the underprivileged who depend on kerosene for cooking and lighting purposes. And only authorized agents are allowed to purchase and sell kerosene.

The Druk Penden Petroleum Limited, DPPL, is the authorized agent in Samdrupjongkhar and Gelephu. It is a family run business with the father Sonam Wangdi running the Samdrupjongkhar operation and the son Dechen Tshering looking after the Gelephu operation.

They sold the kerosene directly in India where the price is much higher instead of bringing them to Bhutan.

According to the court verdict, the Samdrupjongkhar agent purchased more than two thousand kilo liters of kerosene between January 1998 and July 1999. Of that, the agent brought only half that amount to Bhutan and sold the rest in India.

Between the same period, the Gelephu agent also purchased two thousand kilo liters of kerosene. Except for one truckload, he sold the entire consignment in India.

The Samdrupjongkhar agent has been sentenced to four years in prison. He also has to deposit around six and half million Ngultrums to the royal government.

The Gelephu agent has already served two years, one month in prison. He has to submit nine million Ngultrums to the royal government. The money refund is in lieu of the revenue loss the fraud has caused to the royal government.

2007, August 25: Increasing HIV epidemic in the region is seen as one of the major causes of rise in Multi Drug Resistant Tuberculosis.

This was revealed at a workshop to develop regional guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of Multi Drug Resistant Tuberculosis.

Doctors and medical specialist from Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Maldives attended the five-day workshop in Paro earlier this week.

Another reason for the rise in multi drug resistant TB has been cited as patients not completing the full course of medication.

The Program Director of the SAARC TB center, Dr. Lochana Shrestra said the meeting was organized to develop an effective prevention and management strategy in the region.

More than 32 % of global TB cases are in South Asia Doctors also briefed the teacher trainees at the Paro College of Education on TB and HIV/Aids.

They were also informed on prevention measures and what they could do help disseminate information in their communities.

There are 18 Multi Drug Resistant Tuberculosis cases in Bhutan. According to the National TB control program in Bhutan around 456 Tuberculosis cases are detected every year.

2007, August 25: The class seven student of Monggar Lower Secondary School who was allegedly raped by a man last week has now returned to school.

The girl is only 15 years old. She was reportedly raped in a forest above the school. Later the man took her with him to a hotel in Monggar promising to marry her where she was allegedly raped again.

Following the incident the girl refused to come back to school saying her life has been ruined. School authorities have been trying to persuade her to come back.

The school’s assistant principal has now confirmed that she has rejoined school. The girl joined this morning and came to school escorted by her mother and brother, she said.

The suspect has in the meanwhile been apprehended and the Monggar police are now investigating the case.

2007, August 25: His Majesty the King granted an audience to the Director General of Border Roads of India, Lieutenant General K.S Rao yesterday.

His Majesty the king granted an audience to the director general of border roads of India at the Tashichoedzong.

Lieutenant General K.S Rao arrived in the kingdom on a four day visit on Thursday.

While in the kingdom, he will inspect the road widening work along the Thimphu-Phuntsholing highway and the Chuzom- Paro and the Chuzom-Thimphu roads. En-route to Thimphu from Phuntsholing, he will also inspect the Jumja landslide area and inaugurate a labour camp at Wangkha.

Lieutenant General K.S Rao also called on the Prime Minister and the Works and Human Settlement Minister Lyonpo Kinzang Dorji.

Later in the afternoon, he met the chief operations officer of the Royal Bhutan Army, Major General Batoo Tshering.

Lieutenant General K.S Rao is a graduate of the defense services staff college and has served as an instructor at the college of military engineering in Pune.

A recipient of the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Lieutenant General K.S Rao has also served as the director of the military operations. He was promoted to a lieutenant general and appointed as the director general of border roads in 2005.

2007, August 25: The Election Commission of Bhutan released the draft electoral roll for the national council election yesterday.

The draft electoral roll will be distributed to the Gewogs.

Briefing the media yesterday, the chief election commissioner described as the electoral roll is a fundamental document for conducting free and fair election.

Dasho Kunzang Wangdi said it is crucial to have a comprehensive, inclusive, and correct electoral roll. The draft electoral roll includes more than 300,000 registered voters.

Trashigang Dzongkhag has the maximum number of voters with close to 34,000 voters.

Gasa Dzongkhag has the lowest with more than 1,500 registered voters in the electoral roll.

The draft electoral roll has been prepared based on the information and photographs obtained from the national civil registry. The draft electoral roll will be distributed to the gups for Bhutanese voters to verify the information given in it. The verification will be conducted between September 1 and September 15.

The documents will then be returned to the election commission to incorporate the changes in the electoral roll. Voters can also visit www.election-bhutan.org.bt to check their electoral roll and to point out necessary change if required.

2007, August 27: To prevent avian influenza or bird flu from entering the kingdom, agriculture officials conducted a daylong awareness campaign in Gelephu.

As our correspondent Sonam Rinchen reports local authorities have alerted the public ever since a bird flu outbreak has been reported in north eastern state of Manipur in India.

Officials from the Bhutan Agriculture and Food Regularity Authority explained the risks of bird flu entering the kingdom and what the public could do to help prevent it.

Dr. Chador, a BAFRA official, also explained how humans get infected and the risks of infection. He urged the gathering not to remain complacent and seeking their support.

Dr. Rinzin Pem, a veterinary doctor, from the regional veterinary laboratory in Gelephu said because of the porous border, there is risk of bird flu entering Gelephu. She asked the participants to comply strictly with the government imposed ban on the import of poultry products from India to help prevent bird flu from entering the kingdom.

Officials also informed poultry farmers in the dzongkhag to maintain sanitation on their farm and report any incidence of poultry falling sick or dying to local authorities.

2007, August 27: 70 households in six villages under Kazhi gewog in Wangduephodrang have now been connected with electricity.

The electricity supply was formally inaugurated on Saturday by the Wangdiphodrang Dzongrab.

The electrification project was carried out by the Bhutan Power Corporation with about Nu. 5.5 million from the sustainable development secretariat.

Beneficiaries who attended the inauguration said the arrival of electricity will improve their living standard. It is also expected to cut down the use of firewood and improve health and hygiene.

The electricity will be supplied from the Basochu and Chukha grid.

According to K.P. Phuyel, the Bhutan Power Corporation’s assistant manager in Punakha, more than 530 households have been electrified in Wangdue Dzongkhag with funding from the sustainable development secretariat.

2007, August 27: The double laning of the Thimphu-Phuentsholing highway and the extension of the Paro international airport are Project Dantak’s priorities at the moment, said India’s Border Roads Director General, Lt. General. K.S Rao.

Lt. General. K.S Rao was in the kingdom on a four day visit. Speaking to the Bhutanese media on Saturday, he said the double laning of the Thimphu-Phuntsholing highway is on track and will be completed on schedule in 2010.

The extension and resurfacing of the Paro international airport is also on schedule. Lt. General. K.S Rao said it will be complete by the end of this year.

Lieutenant General K.S Rao left the kingdom yesterday morning. While in the kingdom, he received an audience with His Majesty the king.

Before he left, he inspected the road widening work along the Thimphu-Phuntsholing highway and the Chuzom Paro and the Chuzom-Thimphu roads.

2007, August 27: About 50 people from SAARC countries attended a seminar on carbon trading in Paro this week.

A large delegation of Bhutanese industrialists also attended the seminar.

The discussions focused on the benefits of carbon trading. The information and Communication Minister Lyonpo Leki Dorji also attended the seminar.

Carbon trading is a new concept in Bhutan. It is used for controlling pollution by providing financial incentives for reductions in emissions.

Carbon trading allows companies that pollute beyond the limit set by the government to buy credits from those who pollute less or face heavy penalties. In effect, the buyer is being fined for polluting, while the seller is being rewarded for having reduced emissions.

Carbon trading has become an important feature of the effort to control global warming and green house gas emission.

Carbon trading projects can help companies which produce less pollution to earn money by trading carbon emission reduction credits.

The seminar was jointly organized by the SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

2007, August 27: The double laning of the Thimphu-Phuentsholing highway and the extension of the Paro international airport are Project Dantak’s priorities at the moment, said India’s Border Roads Director General, Lt. General. K.S Rao.

Lt. General. K.S Rao was in the kingdom on a four day visit. Speaking to the Bhutanese media on Saturday, he said the double laning of the Thimphu-Phuntsholing highway is on track and will be completed on schedule in 2010.

The extension and resurfacing of the Paro international airport is also on schedule. Lt. General. K.S Rao said it will be complete by the end of this year.

Lieutenant General K.S Rao left the kingdom yesterday morning. While in the kingdom, he received an audience with His Majesty the king.

Before he left, he inspected the road widening work along the Thimphu-Phuntsholing highway and the Chuzom Paro and the Chuzom-Thimphu roads.

2007, August 28: The People’s Democratic Party is meeting in the capital to discuss various issues.

Close to 600 people including the party president Lyonpo Sangay Ngedup, and Lyonpo Jigme Singye are attending the meeting.

During the two day working committee meeting, the party’s regional, Dzongkhag, and Gewog coordinators will be briefed on the dos and don’ts.

The party is yet to confirm the candidates in some of the constituencies.

Both the People’s Democratic Party and the Druk Phunsum Tshogpa have already submitted their applications to register formally with the election commission.

They are as of now waiting for confirmation from the election commission.

2007, August 28: A 33-year-old man has been stabbed and beaten to death by a couple in Yoelseltse Gewog in Samtse.

The incident occurred last Thursday. The Yoelseltse Gup told BBS that the deceased was stabbed on the leg and beaten several times on the head with a bamboo stick. He said all three were under the influence of alcohol at the time of incident.

The incident followed an argument among the three. It is not clear what caused the argument.

Our correspondent Tshitrium Gyeltshen says the couple is in police custody and the case has been forwarded to the district court.

Meanwhile an unidentified body of a 65 year old man has been found by the river side near Chuzom Bridge on August 25.

The body was found wrapped in white cloth. The body has been kept at the national referral hospital’s mortuary

2007, August 29: The new version of Dzongkha Linux was launched yesterday at the Ministry of Information and communications in Thimphu.

Speaking at the launch, the information and communications minister Lyonpo Leki Dorji said, globalization has promoted the use of the English language. And with the kingdom undergoing rapid socio-economic development, Bhutanese youth are more interested in the English language than in Dzongkha.

To promote the national language, Lyonpo Leki said the use of Dzongkha must be promoted among the government ministries, institutions, corporations and the private sector. He said with the launching of the new version of Dzongkha Linux, people will be able to write in Dzongkha using computer as easily as English.

The new version of Dzongkha Linux has Microsoft word, internet, graphics and desktop-administration-users and key broad selection.

The new version of Dzongkha Linux was funded by the International Development Research Centre.

2007, August 29:The arrival of electricity has had a major impact on the lives of people in rural areas in Pemagatshel according to the Shumar Gup.

It has improved living standard, helped enhance rural income, and improved health and hygiene. The Shumar Gup said it has also cut down the firewood consumption. For generations, people depended on firewood for cooking and keeping the houses warm. He said with the arrival of electricity, people now use electronic cooking appliances.

The villagers said it is not only made life easier but has also helped save time and money.

The project manager of rural electricity supply in the eastern region, Tshering Tenzin said about 50 % of rural electrification in Pema Gatshel have been completed. They expect to complete the rest by 2017.

2007, August 29:The arrival of electricity has had a major impact on the lives of people in rural areas in Pemagatshel according to the Shumar Gup.

It has improved living standard, helped enhance rural income, and improved health and hygiene. The Shumar Gup said it has also cut down the firewood consumption. For generations, people depended on firewood for cooking and keeping the houses warm. He said with the arrival of electricity, people now use electronic cooking appliances.

The villagers said it is not only made life easier but has also helped save time and money.

The project manager of rural electricity supply in the eastern region, Tshering Tenzin said about 50 % of rural electrification in Pema Gatshel have been completed. They expect to complete the rest by 2017.

2007, August 29: The Cultural Properties Division of the Department of Culture has completed registering cultural properties owned by the government and the public and in Lhakhangs and Goendeys in 16 dzongkhags.

The cultural properties include statues, scriptures, precious stones, antiques, and art and artifacts like ritual daggers or phubs, Kuthang and Thangkas.

The department will start registering antique properties in the capital soon. The registration work was started in 2002 after the 81st session of the National Assembly decided that there is a need for registering all antique properties.

Speaking to BBS the Chief Culture Officer Tshewang Gyelpo said the exercise will help build a comprehensive record of all antique properties in the country. This, he said, will help protect and preserve the cultural properties. In the event of theft and loss, it will also help efforts to recover them.

2007, August 30: The incessant rain last month caused road blocks, disrupted communication, damaged crops and even flooded homes but Sarpang farmers are not complaining.

Unlike last year, they have been able to transplant their paddy on time. Last year due to the late and scanty Monsoon, farmers in some places had to even leave their fields fallow.

In Sarpang as our correspondent Sonam Rinchen reports, farmers are hopeful of a bountiful harvest this season. Last year farmers in most of the paddy growing regions in Sarpang had not been able to carry out paddy transplantation on time.

First the monsoon was delayed by about a month and when it did arrive, the rain was insufficient.

The monsoon was also short-lived and was followed by a long dry spell. Farmers who do not have access to assured source of water even had to leave their fields fallow. However this year, farmers have been blessed with abundant rainfall.

The residents of Chuzergang said the heavy downpour also brought down the temperature and gave them a respite from the sweltering heat.

2007, August 30: Twenty national football players and 10 officials from the Bhutan Football Federation will be representing Bhutan at the FIFA world cup qualifying match.

For the first time, Bhutan will be taking part in the qualifying match for the FIFA world cup in 2010. The match will be held on October 11 in Kuwait.

In preparation for this, the Bhutan football Federation is giving intensive training to senior national players. The players include students, out-of-school youth and armed force personnel.

They practice from six in the morning till twelve noon. The team will be leaving for Kuwait at the end of September. They will be playing a couple of matches in Thailand before proceeding towards Kuwait.

Meanwhile two other teams are undergoing selection training for the Asian cup qualifying matches.

2007, August 30: The two day working committee meeting of the People’s Democratic Party concluded on August 28. Apart from discussing various issues, the meeting also briefed the party members on the political process, the election bill, fund management and the party’s projections and goals.

Close to 600 people from across the country attended the two day meeting. In his closing remark, the party president Lyonpo Sangay Ngedup outlined the party’s priorities and goals.

He said if the party wins the 2008 election, they will focus on poverty eradication, help achieve gross national happiness, and promote balanced socio economic development.

To help enhance rural income and improve the livelihood of the rural populace, Lyonpo Sangay Ngedup said the PDP led government will establish a farmer’s bank and promote rural enterprises and agriculture manufacturing.

The PDP president also mentioned unemployment as one of their top priorities.

During the two day meeting, the party members were also briefed on the changes that have been incorporated in the party’s charter. They were also briefed on the election rules and regulations.

Speaking to the media, the party’s general secretary Lam Kezang said it is important for the party workers to know the elections rules and regulations. The meeting also decided the role and responsibilities of the regional officers.

The party has four regional officers. They will be responsible for monitoring and supervising the Dzongkhag coordinators. They will also coordinate the campaigning once the election commission announces the dates.

2007, August 30:In Trashiyangtse, a woman has been mauled by a wild boar in Maymung village under Tongzhang Gewog.

The incident took place at around 4 a.m. yesterday morning.

The 38-year-old woman was guarding her maize field when the incident took place. She is being treated at the Tongzhang Basic Health Unit.

The health worker said the woman has sustained injuries on her left hand and left leg. She has also lost two fingers on her left hand.

Our correspondent Jigme Lhendup says the boar also attacked a man who had come to help the woman and chase away the boar. He has not been hurt.

The Tongzhang Gup Neten Dorji told BBS that boars and monkeys cause major destruction to crops in the Gewog.

2007, August 31: Samdrupjongkhar residents have to walk all the way to Daranga in India to buy meat. The four local meat shops have been closed for more than two month now.

Their license has been cancelled by the regional trade and industry office for fronting.

Since then Samdrupjongkhar residents walk all the way to the Indian town of Daranga about a kilometer away from the Samdrupjongkhar town.

Previously, the meat shops were run and operated by Indian nationals from across the border but from January this year, the license for operating the meat shops were given to interested Bhutanese shopkeepers to promote local trade and commerce.

But while the licenses were in the name of the Bhutanese shopkeepers, they continued to be operated by Indian nationals.

The regional trade and industry director Sonam Jigme said the vendors were repeatedly warned but they continued to operate in violation of the law of the kingdom.

2007, August 31: Shortage of classrooms and other infrastructural inadequacies are some of the problems faced by teachers and students of the Thrisa community primary school in Zhemgang.

The Thrisa community primary school is four days walking distance from the nearest motor-able road. The school has currently 122 students. But the school has only one academic block.

The school head teacher told BBS that lack of classrooms has led to classroom congestion. Besides, the school also does not have access to proper drinking water supply.

The only water tape in the school campus is always dry. Often teachers and students have to go to fetch water from a far away pool. Teachers said under such circumstances, it is extremely difficult to maintain cleanliness.

The District Education Officer said the matter has to be looked after by the Gewog leaders. He said the District Education Office looks after larger issues like construction of main academic block and school up-gradation.

Teachers told our reporter Kinzang Lodey that the matter has been reported to the concerned local leaders.

However nothing has been done so far. Thrisha Community primary school was established in 2001. It benefits about 300 households in the village. The school has four permanent and two apprentice teachers.

2007, August 31: The National Commission for Women and Children has appealed to the High Court on behalf of a 17 year old high school student who has been given a three year prison sentence for rape.

The incident took place about a month ago in Khasadrapchu. He raped a neighbor’s 15 year-old babysitter.

The director of the National Commission for Women and Children said they decided to appeal to the high court because the boy has shown remorse.

He was also reportedly regarded as a role model in school and excelled in studies. Dr. Rinchen Chophel said considering his young age and the potential he has for becoming a productive citizen, they decided to appeal to the high court in the hope of a more lenient sentence and save the boy’s life from being ruined.

Meanwhile police in Thimphu have charge-sheeted a 31 year old man to the Thimphu Dzongkhag court for raping his 16 year old baby sitter.

The case was reported to the police by the National Commission for Women and Children.

The National Commission for Women and Children came to know about it after the babysitter gave birth and hospital officials contacted them looking for somebody who might be willing to adopt the baby.