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2007, May 31: In the mock general election, the Bhutanese voted overwhelmingly for the Druk Yellow Party which won 46 seats in the assembly. The Druk Red Party won only one seat. Was it a conscious choice?

Was the choice made based on the party manifesto and the capability of the candidates? In Damphu, Tsirang, our reporter Sonam Ugyen posed this question to the voters. Many he said don’t seem to understand who they are voting for or why they are voting for them.

Tshering Euden was a presiding officer at one of the polling booths in Kikhorthang-Mendelgang Constituency. She said though almost everybody knew how to vote, thanks to the voter education campaign, they don’t seem to understand who they are voting for or why they are voting for them.

Tshering Euden is also the Principal of the Damphu Higher Secondary School. She says even her students don’t know much about voting or making a conscious choice.

Those who are politically more conscious ask if people do not know why and who they are voting for, they could be easily influenced or misled. In any case they would not be making a conscious choice.

This will affect the quality of the leaders and the government. It would defeat the very purpose of democracy they say.

The Dzongkhag election officer said once the political parties start campaigning and explaining their party manifestos, people might understand more. And that they will learn to question not only the parties or the politicians but also their choice.

2007, May 31: With a voter turnout of 57.14%, the election commission has described the mock general election a success. The voter turnout in the primary round on April 21was about 51%.

The Druk Yellow Party won the mock general election with a landslide victory. The Druk Yellow Party won the election in all the constituencies except in the Bartsham-Shongphu constituency in Tashigang.

Close to 162,000 voters took part in the general election, an increase of 36,648 voters from the primary round.

The election commission says the mock general election was an improvement over the primary round in many ways. The verification of voters at polling booths in Thim-Throm was made more efficient with the introduction of computers.

It says the practice will be introduced in all densely populated poling stations in the real election. Polling booths were relocated for the convenience of voters resulting in an enhanced voter turnout. The number of postal ballots increased significantly.

The election commission was also able to declare the results before 10pm on the same day unlike the primary round where the results could be declared only the next day.

The election commission says the mock election has bolstered their confidence and they are now in a position to conduct the elections in 2008.

It will be conducting a post poll analysis after receiving feedback from national and international observers and electoral officers. They will identify areas that need strengthening and procedures which need to be streamlined before the real election.

2007, May 29: The Druk Yellow party has won the mock general election. There are 47 constituencies in the kingdom and the Druk Yellow Party has won the election in all the constituencies except one constituency, the Bartsham-Shongphu constituency in Tashigang.

If it is the real election, the Druk Yellow Party will form the government with the Druk Red Party functioning as the opposition. The Druk Yellow Party will have 46 members in the assembly and the Druk Red Party only one member.

With 46 members in the national assembly, the governing party will be strong and powerful. The opposition party will be relatively weak. With just one seat, they will have almost no say in the parliament.

Thousands of voters across the kingdom, from all walks of life, turned out to vote in the general election. Initial reports show that the Druk Yellow Party has won one hundred and eight thousand three hundred and fifteen votes. The Druk Red Party won fifty four thousand thirty one votes. A total of one hundred and sixty two thousand three hundred and forty six voters came to exercise their franchise in the mock general election.

In the primary round, one hundred and twenty five thousand three hundred and thirty eight voters or about 51% of the registered voters turned out to vote. In terms of number, the mock general election drew thirty seven thousand and eight more votes than the primary round.

There was also less confusion among the voters. The election commission was also able to declare the results the same night. During the primary election, the results could be declared only the next day due to problems with communication facilities.

According to our reporters, and observers BBS spoke to, the mock general election was conducted in a free and fair manner.

2007, May 28: About 70% of the Tsirang Dzong construction work has been completed. But some of the people who are involved in the construction work said the timber supply is irregular and this may delay the construction work.

An official involved in the Dzong construction said timber shortage is hampering the work progress. Tshering Nidup is in charge of the timber for the Dzong construction. He said the Forestry Development Corporation Limited has been entrusted with the task of supplying the timber but the supply has become irregular.

Pema Tenzin, the secretary to the chairman of the committee for the Tsriang Dzong construction said the timber supply is likely to affect the timely completion of the Dzong.

Tshering Nidup said he has proposed to the Forestry Development Corporation to allow them to extract the timber themselves or allow them to sit for the auction. Both proposals, he said, were rejected.

The sales manager of the forestry development corporation limited Sangay Gyeltshen said as per the government policy, other agencies are not allowed to extract timber from the forest. Besides, he said there is no need for them to extract the timber themselves because the FDCL has been supplying the timber steadily. He said the FDCL has not received any complaint saying the supply is irregular.

The construction work of the new Dzong started in January 2004 with the estimated fund of Nu. 113 million.

2007, May 26: The government of India is expected to refund about Nu.725 million as excise duty on goods brought from India in 2004. This is an increase of Nu.100 million from the previous year.

The excise duty refund was finalized at a meeting in Thimphu yesterday. The Indian delegation was led by the director general inspections, customs, and central excise Mr. B.K Gupta. The Bhutanese delegation was led by the director of revenue and customs Sangay Zam.

In 2003 the excise duty was finalized at 625 million Ngultrums. The leader of the Indian delegation Mr. B.K Gupta said the cordial relations between Bhutan and India has led to the increase in the volume of trade.

Karma Tsheltrum is the joint commissioner of the Department of Revenue and Customs. He said the tariff rate for excise duty ranges between 8 to 16 percent. “There are two types of goods. Goods bought from factories get 100 % excise duty refund while goods bought from open market get only 40 % excise duty returns. Excise duty is calculated on the balance 60 percent,” he said.

The finalized excise duty refund for 2004 was signed by the leaders of the two delegations. Apart from the excise duty, the officials also discussed other issues of mutual interest.

2007, May 26: Substance abuse is a cause for concern with the number of dealers and users increasing over the years. In 2000, police apprehended only about 54 people using drugs. In 2005, the number increased to 515. This was pointed out at a stakeholders meeting yesterday. Officials from the Bhutan Narcotic Control Agency, the Royal Bhutan Police, Department of Revenue and Customs, Department of Youth and other agencies met in Thimphu to discuss the scenario in the country. The participants also looked at the situation in the neighboring countries. They were briefed by experts from the United Nation’s office of Drug and Crime in New Delhi. According to the Royal Bhutan Police and the Education Ministry most of the substance abusers in Bhutan are concentrated in Thimphu and Phuntsholing. In 2006, 817 people were arrested in Thimphu for possession or dealing with drugs. The executive director of the Bhutan Narcotic Control Agency said substance abuse among youth under 24 years is becoming a serious concern. Despite, the increase in substance abuse, there is only one rehabilitation centre in the country which caters to addicts as well as alcoholic. REWA was established in December 2004. Ugyen Dorji, the program manager says the place is overcrowded and they often have to turn down client in need of help. According to experts from the UN office for drug and crimes, the high rate of youth population and the open border are some of the risk factors. Cross border collaboration is vital to curb the inflow of drugs they said. The meeting decided that Bhutan should take up immediate measures to tackle the issue.

2007, May 24: Most job vacancies require experience. This, job seekers say is aggravating the unemployment problem. Most of the job seekers are fresh out of school or college. They do not have any experience.

Therefore cannot get any job and because they can’t get any job, they don’t get the opportunity to build experience. It is a vicious cycle.

The department of employment says they will be strengthening the apprentice training program to address the problem. Started in 2003, the apprentice program has not been very effective with only a handful of job seekers making use of the program.

The department will now be encouraging more job seekers to make use of the apprentice training program so that they can gain the required experience to apply for jobs. They are also asking potential employers including private companies to waive off the criterion which requires applicants to have experience.

According to the projections of the labor ministry, by 2012 about fifty seven thousand job seekers will enter the job market. Around thirty six thousand would be able to find employment. Twenty one thousand will remain jobless.

2007, May 24: An increasing number of typhoid has been reported in Bumthang in the last few weeks. As the rainy season hits the town, the hospital is treating a number of people suffering from typhoid everyday.

The Wangdicholing hospital in Bumthang is seeing an increasing number of patients suffering from typhoid and other water borne diseases. About four cases are reported daily to the hospital.

According to Dzongkhag health officials only those who are suffering from serious dehydration are admitted in the hospital. The District Medical Officer Dr. Nima Wangchuk says water borne diseases like typhoid are common during the rainy season.

Health officials say most of the patients admitted are those who drink water without boiling. There are two water sources in Bumthang. One is located at Nasphel.

According to the Dzongkhag Engineer Langa Dorji the water is treated before supplying to the town but he said they don’t have proper water treatment facility. He said the source at Nasphel would be shifted soon.

Treating the water properly at the very source before supplying to the residents is seen as one of the answers. Doctors also advise the residents to boil the water before drinking.

2007, May 23: Police, members of the school tshogpa of the Jenkana Primary School and forestry officials are searching the Haa Chu for the body of a 15 year old boy who has been washed away by the river. The incident took place at around 6:30am on Saturday, May 19.

The boy was a class six student. He and three other students accompanied by the school’s cook and the peon were carrying cement for the construction of a water tank on a hillock opposite the school which could be reached only by crossing the river.

They were returning to the school after transporting the cement to the place where the water tank is being constructed. There is wooden bridge across the river but they all decided to cross the river thinking that it was shallow.

Two of the students managed to cross it. When the other two tried to cross, they were both washed away. The peon who knew how to swim managed to save one. The 15 year old boy got washed away.

Two of the students said they were taking part in physical training when they saw the cook and the peon carrying cement and decided to help them. They said the headmaster had asked them once during the morning assembly to help carry the cement to the construction site.

The school is constructing the drinking water project with assistance from UNICEF. Normally the beneficiaries, mainly the parents of the students, would have contributed the labor but most of the people in Haa Jenkana migrate to Samtse in the winter and they have yet to return.

The school’s headmaster said they decided to go ahead with the construction because by the time they return the Monsoon would have started hampering the construction work.

2007, May 23: A young man and his girlfriend, both in their early twenties, have died of drug overdose in Phuntsholing yesterday. The man was 24 years old.

He was brought unconscious to the hospital by his girlfriend and a friend at around 1pm and died about half an hour later.

Doctors at the Phuntsholing hospital said all their attempts to try and save him proved futile. They told our reporter Tenzin Wangda that they washed his stomach in their attempt to save him and retrieved several tablets from his stomach confirming drug overdose as the cause of death.

His girlfriend who helped bring him to the hospital died later in the afternoon. Hospital staff said she was already dead when she was brought to the hospital at around 5:45pm.

She is also suspected to have died of drug overdose. She was 22.

2007, May 23: The rate of unemployment among the youth has been increasing over the years. According to the Bhutan Labor Force Survey 2006, unemployment rate among the youth now stands at 9.7%. This is an increase of more than 3% from 6.19% in 2005.

The Survey revealed that of the 7200 people unemployed in 2006, more than 4000 were youth. Of that more than 50% were school drop outs from primary level to university graduates. This is a cause of concern for the Ministry of Labor and Human Resources.

Karma Lhendup is the head of Labor market and Information of the Department of Employment. He told BBS that the growing rate of unemployment among the youth is mostly because of the mismatch of skills the job seekers posses and the demand in the job markets. “Most job seekers do not prefer to work outside government and corporations,” he said.

The survey also found that most youth preferred working in urban towns like Phuentsholing and Thimphu, adding to the problem of unemployment. To tackle the issue, the Ministry has been taking various measures from organizing job fairs to expanding trainings at the vocational training institutes in the kingdom.

Karma Lhendup said that the Ministry is currently studying the demand for skills in the job market and trying to incorporate in the vocational training institutes.

The Ministry has also been working on the apprentice training programs where the job seekers are sent on attachments with private companies and gradually enroll in the companies. These strategies the ministry says will help solve the problem of unemployment in the country.

2007, May 22: The Bhutan Post bus plying between Phuntsholing and Kolkatta in India has been damaged beyond repair when an improvised device planted inside it exploded. The incident happened at 2:30pm yesterday.

The bus was empty when the incident took place and nobody was injured. The bus was parked at the Bhutan Post workshop below the Norgay movie hall in Phuntsholing after returning from Kolkatta last night.

Our reporter Tenzin Wangda says the driver of the bus had left for Jaigaon at around 11 am for servicing the radiator.

There are three buses plying between Phuntsholing and Kolkatta.

Eyewitnesses informed the police immediately after the explosion.

Police are investigating the case.

2007, May 22: The Royal Civil Service Commission (RCSC) launched the Management Development Programme at the Royal Institute of Management yesterday. According to RCSC the course would address the need emphasized in the position classification system policy document to develop professionalism in the civil service.

The short course will comprise of executive seminars for executives, advanced management courses for senior managers, management courses for middle and junior managers and supervisory courses for supervisors.

The course is expected to equip managers at all levels in the civil service with the skills and the competence for executive and managerial performance. It will also prepare the managers for promotion to higher managerial and leadership positions.

According to the PCS policy document the course will be mandatory for all civil servants in managerial and supervisory positions.

Speaking at the opening, the secretary of the RCSC, Dasho Bap kesang said, availing such course would improve the skills, competence and leadership.

Also speaking at the opening, the vice chancellor of the Royal university of Bhutan, Dasho Zangley Drukpa said many civil servants mentioned the organizational climate and culture was not conducive for them to take initiatives or be creative and innovative.

The MDP program is organized by royal civil service commission and conducted by the Royal Institute of Management in collaboration with Humber College in Toronto, Canada.

2007, May 21: To prevent loss of lives and property, a Dzongkhag Disaster Management Committee will be established in all the Dzongkhags. The initiative is part of efforts to develop a preventive approach rather than a reactive approach that deals with the aftermath of disasters. This was revealed at a meeting on Disaster Risk Management in Trashigang.

The Dzongkhag Disaster Management Committee will assist Dasho Dzongda who will act as the Chief Dzongkhag Disaster Manager to analyze potential hazard that poses a serious threat. The committee will consist of a chair person, member secretary and representative from government sectors, monastic body, armed forces and civil societies which include both private and NGOs.

It will study disaster prone areas and prepare emergency safety measures. All in all the committee will play a major role in prevention, preparation and mitigation to avert major catastrophes resulting from natural disasters.

Emergency Operation Centers will also be opened in the Dzongkhags as well as Geogs. The center will help warn and inform people and concerned authorities about the possibility of disasters.

Briefing the participants the Director General of Department of Local Governance, Dasho Dr. Sonam Tenzin said natural calamities like landslides were more common in eastern dzongkhags. He said people need to be watchful for any possible natural disasters.

The meeting was attended by Dasho Dzongda and over 80 participants comprising of Gups, Sector heads, representatives from Rabdeys, armed forces and business communities.

2007, May 19: With the dateline for political parties to register drawing near, several senior government officials are coming forward to join politics. One of them is the Managing Director of the Bhutan Broadcasting Service.

Mingbo Dukpa declared his intentions to join politics to the media yesterday, May 18. He said he will be joining the People’s Democratic Party and contesting the 2008 election from the Deothang-Gomdhar constituency in Samdrupjongkhar.

He has already submitted his resignation and will be registering with the PDP this month. Mingbo Dukpa said he is joining politics because people from his constituency have repeatedly called on him to join politics. The decision has also been influenced by the opportunity to serve and work closely with the people at the grassroots level.

Mingbo Dukpa has served as the managing director of the BBS for over four years. Before that he served as the Dagana Dzongda for five years.

He joined service in September 1971 shortly after he completed a two year diploma course in teaching from the teacher training institute in Samtse.

Over a career spanning more than 36 years, he has also served as the Chief Inspector of Schools and as a principal and teacher in schools in several parts of the kingdom.

2007, May 19: Farmers in Monggar are battling army worm and a fungal disease commonly known as blight. The pests have destroyed more than two acres of potato and maize crops in Phozorong, Wengkhar and Pongchula villages in Monggar.

Farmers told our reporter that this is the first time they are seeing the outbreak in their community. The pests usually thrive on the tender leaves and eat maize, potato, cabbage, beans and chilly seedlings.

According to the Dzongkhag Agriculture Officer Tenzing Drukgyel, the outbreak is not new but it is worse this year. He told our reporter it may have been caused by farmers using local seeds instead of the ones provided by the government.

Meanwhile, Officials from district agriculture office have visited the fields. Our reporter says fungicides were sprayed to keep the disease and the pest under control.

2007, May 17: His Holiness the Je Khenpo and the monks of the Zhung Dratshang have arrived in Thimphu. The monk body left the Puna Dewa Chenpoi Phodrang on Wednesday morning, May 16.

As the monk body slowly made their way to the Tashichoedzong, thousands of devotees waited in line along the road to offer prayers and receive blessings. The lines of people stretched all the way from Hungtsho, Yusipang, Semtokha, Lungtenphu and to the dzong.

As they arrived at the Tashichoedzong, the monk body was escorted in traditional chipdrel procession to the dzong. At the main entrance of Tashichoedzong, the monks of the Zhung Dratshang were received by the Prime Minister Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk, cabinet ministers and other senior government officials.

The monk body spends the six winter months in Punakha. They leave for Thimphu on the first day of the fourth Bhutanese month.

The tradition of maintaining a summer and winter residence was introduced by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in the early 17th century.

2007, May 17: All religious institutions and personalities shall not be allowed to participate in the electoral process as a voter, candidate, member or supporter for a political party.

According to Section 3, Article 3 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan; “It shall be the responsibility of religious institutions and personalities to promote the spiritual heritage of the country while also ensuring that religion remains separate from politics in Bhutan.”

It also states that religious institutions and personalities shall remain above politics. According to Section 181 of the Election Bill of the Kingdom of Bhutan; “A truelku, lam, any influential religious personality or ordained members of any religion or religious institution excluding the laity shall neither join a political party nor participate in the electoral process. They shall remain above politics and shall not use their influence for the benefit of any party or candidate.”

The election commission of Bhutan says a religious institution is an entity that may be supported by the State, community or through endowments and is known to principally further religious beliefs and practices.

It says that religious institutions of Bhutan shall include institutions such as the Zhung Dratshang and private and community Rabdeys, Goendays and Gomdeys, shedras, and Drubdas, Partshala etc.

According to election commission a Bhutanese citizen who is a monk, nun, priest, pundit, ordained or a robed person of any religion or denomination, whether or not he is a member of any religious organization or institution, shall come under the category of religious personality.

2007, May 17: The 24th authority meeting of the Tala Hydroelectric Project Authority was held today, May 17 in Gedu. The chairman of the project Lyonpo Yeshi Zimba presided over the meeting.

In his opening address Lyonpo Yeshi Zimba said the project will stand out as a shining example of Bhutan India relationship. “It is satisfying that the largest and the most complicated project is now complete,” he said.

The Indian government’s special secretary Sheela Bhide said the project will stand out as an everlasting symbol of Indo Bhutan friendship. She informed the meeting that the Punatshangchu project one is almost ready while other projects like the Punatshangchu project II and Mangdechu are also progressing.

On the status of the Tala project, the managing director, RN Khazanchi said the project has been fully commissioned and they are now looking into ways of diverting the manpower into some other similar projects. “Although all the six units have been commissioned they need to wait for sufficient water to generate electricity from all the units,” said Mr Khazanchi.

Tala hydroelectricity project has so far generated over 1500 million units of electricity. Around 13 officials were present during the meeting. The Bhutanese ambassador to India, Lyonpo Dago Tshering and the Deputy Minister of Environment Dasho Nado Rinchen were also present.

2007, May 16: In line with the resolution of the 84th session of National Assembly, the Royal Civil Service Commission and the Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs have recruited more than 70 gewog administrative officers. They are attending the first induction course at the Royal Institute of Management in Thimphu.

The first batch of 39 gewog administrative officers is attending a two weeks induction course in the capital. All in all, the Home and Cultural Affairs Ministry and the RCSC have recruited more than 70 graduates as the gewog administrative officers.

The first batch of gewog administrative officers will be placed in the gewogs in Trashiyantse, Monger, Samdrupjongkhar, Gasa, Chukha, Haa, Dagana, Bumthang, and Zhemgang.

The chief programme officer of the Department of Local Governance, Karma Lhamo said the participants will be briefed on their roles and responsibilities during the induction course. They will also be acquainted with the key government plans and policies.

“The main roles and responsibilities of a GAO is to provide administrative support to GYT and the government. They will also assist Gup and assists GYT in planning, monitoring and implementation of developmental activities.”

Speaking at the opening the secretary of the Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs, Dasho Penden Wangchuck said the gewog administrative officers have a very important role to play. “In the context of the changing political scenario, we need strong local governance.”

Dasho Penden Wangchuck also told the gathering that as a gewog administrative officer they must cooperate with the grassroots leaders. “They must also help to combat corruption from the grass roots level.”

Some of the graduates told BBS that they have been waiting for the administrative support cadre and they have no other alternative than to join as the gewog administrative officers. However, some said working in remote gewogs will be challenging as well as interesting.

During the two weeks course, the participants will also be briefed on administrative, office, and financial management. The induction course for the first batch will end on 26th of this month.

2007, May 16: Stakeholders met to discuss the tobacco control Bill in Thimphu yesterday. The Bill will be put up for endorsement to the first parliament under the new government after the 2008 elections.

The tobacco control Bill has 13 chapters. It covers issues like protection from exposure to tobacco smoke, trade and commerce of tobacco products and tobacco advertisement, promotion and sponsorship.

It also has a chapter on tobacco dependence and cessation. The director of Public Health, Dr. Ugyen Dophu said the ministry would establish a clinic that would diagnose and treat tobacco dependence by providing counseling services.

The Act would also require the formation of a tobacco control board. The board will be responsible for taking all administrative, legislative and executive measures to control tobacco. The draft Act also has provisions for offences and penalties.

Dr. Ugyen Dophu said till now there has been a problem in implementing the ban in night clubs, discotheques, and other entertainment places. “It (Bill) will help them and they have law to back them and enable them to go and conduct physical inspection of places. At the moment some people are selling tobacco from their houses and we don’t have the right to enter somebody’s house but this act will give us some right,” said the director adding that the Act would also help curb black marketing.

He added that the ministry of health will make sure that the Act is implemented in collaboration with the other stakeholders.

“Tobacco control Act is for the public benefit. It is to preserve and promote the health of Bhutanese people.” It is in the interest of Bhutan and the one of the mandate of the ministry of health, especially the department of public health is to promote the health of Bhutanese people, to prevent disease and help them.”

Meanwhile the ministry of health will be carrying out a nationwide survey on tobacco consumption sometime in August.

2007, May 13: The Standards and Quality control Authority has completed the preliminary study of the Thimphu Valley earthquake risk management project. The project conducted a study of about four thousand five hundred buildings in Thimphu.

The SQCA says most of the buildings in Thimphu are not safe incase of an earthquake measuring eight on the Richter scale were to strike the valley.

The preliminary study revealed that 62 percent of masonry buildings fall in the damage grade G4, meaning there will be heavy structural damage in case of an earthquake measuring eight on the Richter scale. Of the 1091 reinforced concrete buildings studied, 60 percent were found to be in the G3 damage grade. This means the extent of damage will be substantial to heavy.

The study covered about four thousand five hundred buildings in the valley. Of this 1091 was reinforced concrete building, 2448 were masonry buildings and 928 were wood house.

Karma Wangdi is the Deputy Executive Engineer with the Standards and Quality Control Authority. He said according to the preliminary study most of the buildings in Thimphu are not safe. He however added that people need not be alarmed.

“The result gives a basis for the house owners to decide on the next course of action with the advice of a competent structural engineer. if the report states that their building is falling under G4 or G3 we would advice them to get in touch with a structural engineer and do a detailed study of the building and detailed study may indicate that their building is safe which is good and if not we would recommend retrofitting the buildings,” he said.

Karma Wangdi said the second phase of the project will focus on strengthening the technical capacity. He said a detailed study of two buildings one each of reinforced concrete building and masonry building will be conducted. The study he said will be carried out with the help of experts from the National Society for Earthquake Technology based in Nepal. Works will begin in June 2007.

“We have also formed the core working group consisting of engineers from the pension board, Ministry of works and Human Settlement, education sector and the city corporation. So during the whole process these six or seven engineers will be with the consultant throughout the period and they will be trained and in future these engineers will train other engineers in Bhutan,” said Karma Wangdi.

Officials from the standards and quality control authority said a strong earthquake is very much overdue. It says a major earthquake measuring eight hit Bhutan in June 1897. The quake whose epicenter was near Rangjoli in Assam destroyed Punakha and Lingzhi dzong and damaged wangdi, Trongsa, Jakar and Tashichhodzong. Last year three earth quakes struck the kingdom in the month of February.

2007, May 11: Bhutan will soon have its first private college in Thimphu. The first private college will be established under the initiative of the promoter Her Royal Highness Ashi Kezang Wangmo Wangchuck. A memorandum of understanding to this effect was signed today, May 11.

The memorandum of understanding was signed by the vice chancellor of the Royal University of Bhutan Dasho Zhangley Drukpa, the education secretary Dasho Pema Thinley, and the representative of the promoter Dasho Tenzin Yonten.

The first private college will be established in Nagbephu, under Chang gewog in Thimphu. It will be located about 10 kilometers from the capital city.

The construction will begin in July this year with the college expected to open in July 2009.

The first private college will offer various courses including Bachelors of Arts, Commerce, Business Administration, Computer Applications and Science. The college will have an intake capacity of 900 students.

The vice chancellor of the Royal University of Bhutan, Dasho Zangley Drukpa described the signing of the MOU as a new venture in the history of higher Education.

“The Royal University of Bhutan has been facing lots of pressure since Sherubtse College is not able to take more than 35% of class 12 passed out students,” he said. He added that the first private college definitely will ease the pressure. Dasho Zhangley Drukpa said the first private college will set the trend for the other private colleges in the future.

Meanwhile the Jigme Singye Wangchuck College of Business studies in Gedu will be opened in 2008.

2007, May 11: Farmers in the kingdom who have not been able to get the Japanese power tillers need not worry. They can now buy Chinese power tillers. The first batch of Chinese power tillers were demonstrated and sold to eager farmers today, May 11.

The Japanese power tillers are very popular in Bhutan. It is a must have commodity for farmers both rich and poor. They are light, easy to handle, and custom made for the terraced fields in Bhutan. They can be put to multiple uses. They are therefore much sought after. But the supply has not been able to keep up with the demand.

Every one to two years, Japan provides about 200-300 power tillers but the ministry of agriculture receives around 1000 applications. The power tillers are highly subsidized. They are sold for a fifth of their price and costs a little over Nu. 100,000.

To meet the huge demand for power tillers, the agriculture ministry conducted a research on power tillers from India, China and Korea.

The Chinese power tillers cost about Nu. 110,000. They are being imported and supplied by a private firm based in Thimphu. The firm brought eight power tillers on a trail basis. They were all sold out on the first day itself.

2007, May 10: The second call centre in Bhutan was opened in Paro on Monday, May 7. Established by the TST system private limited, the call centre is located at Satsam. The new call center is fully equipped to start their telemarketing business. The center was jointly established by three young entrepreneurs. They told our reporter Wangchuk that they will promote their business internationally through voice over internet.

Currently, the call center has employed 36 Bhutanese telemarketers. With funds from the ministry of labour and human resources, 24 of the employees were trained in Kolkota, India.

Speaking at the opening of the centre the secretary of ministry of labour and human resources, Dasho Pema L Dorji said the initiative would promote private sector development and help create employment opportunities in the country.

2007, May 09: Lyonpo Dawa Tshering, the former foreign minister passed away yesterday evening at the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital in Thimphu. He was 72. He had been admitted to the hospital on Monday evening. He was suffering from haemochromatosis – a condition of excessive iron deposition in the liver, a spokesperson from the hospital told BBS.

Lyonpo Dawa Tshering was born on 29th September 1935. He joined service shortly after he graduated with a double bachelor’s degree in economics, political science and law from the University of Calcutta in India.

After serving in various posts, he was promoted as the secretary general of planning and development in 1965. In 1969, he was appointed as the first minister of planning and development. One year later, he assumed the additional portfolio of the newly created ministry of foreign affairs.

In 1972, he was appointed as the minister of foreign affairs, a position which he held for 26 years till his retirement in 1998. For his meritorious service to the nation, Lyonpo Dawa Tshering was awarded the Druk Thuksay medal in 1966 and the coronation gold medal in 1974.

After his retirement, he participated in several south Asian bodies dealing with international issues.

Lyonpo Dawa Tshering is survived by his wife, two sons, two daughters, and several grandchildren.

2007, May 08: The Works and Human Settlement minister, Lyonpo Kinzang Dorji said Bhutan is a developing country and cannot afford to make mistakes while building infrastructure. The Zhabto Lyonpo said the quality and planning of any project cannot be compromised.

Most of the infrastructures, he said, are built with loans. He was speaking at the conclusion of the annual engineering conference. “The debt burden is increasing and we are going to pass it to our children. We have to be responsible when we pass down the burden of actually building the infrastructure that would last tomorrow for our children.”

The Zhabto Lyonpo urged the participants to enhance productivity and professionalism. The theme of the conference this year was enhancing productivity and professionalism.

He said construction is a visible industry. It therefore attracts criticism and media’s scrutiny. He gave the examples of the Chanjiji housing project and the Thimphu Babesa high way. “What we built is highly visible (Changigi and the express highway). We know the mistake we made and is repeated all the time every where. We are under public and media’s scrutiny which is good of course because we can learn not to make similar mistakes again,” said the minister.

The three days conference in the capital came out with a 31 point resolution. Some of it highlighted insufficiency of engineers, needs to improve management capacity among construction companies, strengthening of Construction Development Board and also lack of capacity and professionalism of Dzongkhag engineers.

2007, May 07: Dzongkha has little or no relevance in the job market according to a survey by the education ministry. This they say is mainly due to the mismatch between the subjects taught in schools and the actual requirements in the job. The survey found that many university graduates cannot write a simple application or a leave letter in Dzongkha. This was revealed during the Dzongkha Development Commission’s annual conference.

The promotion of the national language has been discussed at the highest level of the government including the national assembly. And as decided in the National Assembly, the Royal Civil Service Commission also issued an office order stating that seminars and workshops should be conducted in Dzongkha. All press releases and office orders should also be written in Dzongkha. However, Dzongkha experts say the rule is not being implemented. They said hardly any workshop or seminar is conducted in Dzongkha. Also all office orders and press releases are written in English and not in Dzongkha.

According to the Dzongkha Development Commission works to reform the Dzongkha curriculum have started and the new curriculum will focus on reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills like in English.

The Director General of the Dzongkha Development Commission, Dasho Sangay Dorji said they would like to train all civil servants including those in managerial and executive positions in writing of official correspondences in Dzongkha by the end of the tenth five year plan. “It will go a long way in promoting the national language,” he said.

Dasho Sangay Dorji also said many Bhutanese were not keen to learn Dzongkha. “It is because people who excel in Dzongkha are not given any recognition whereas anybody who can speak English reasonably well is looked up to. Also a better command of English enhances training opportunities and studies abroad.”

Chhimi Tenzin, the people’s representative to the national assembly from Chang and Kawang told BBS that with globalization and the kingdom undergoing rapid socio economic development, there was a huge risk that Dzongkha might become neglected. “English is important and should not be neglected but Dzongkha is the national language and its preservation and promotion is important for our shared identity,” Chimi Tenzin said.

Some of the Dzongkha language teacher from schools in the capital said students do not take much interest in Dzongkha. They said there is prestige in being able to speak English but those who can speak Dzongkha equally well receive no such recognition. They said it may also be partly because most parents converse in English at home.

2007, May 07: The forest fire in Wangdiphodrang has almost been brought under control. The Director General of the Department of Forest Dasho Dawa Tshering told BBS that almost 80% of the fire has been contained. He said there is now no threat of the fire restarting.

Hundreds of forestry officials from Thimphu, Wangdi and Tsirang, armed force personnel, trainees from the NRTI and Samthang vocational training institute and local villagers fought the fire for seven days before it was contained.

The fire started on Monday, April 30 from Taktsa Dolay Wo village in Waklayter. From there it spread to Kamichu Beychu and Ula and after crossing the river the fire then spread to Jarigang on the other side of the river.

In another forest fire also in Wangdiphodrang, large tracts of forests have been damaged in Nazhina in Sha. The fire started from Nazhina and spread in two directions, one towards Kamichhu and the other towards Ada.

Dasho Dawa Tshering said the forest fire in Taktsa Dolay Wo village in Waklayter was started while burning debris in the agriculture fields.

Two people have been arrested and handed over to the Dzongkhag authorities. Together the two fires have damaged more than five thousand acres of forest.

2007, May 07: Dzongkha has little or no relevance in the job market according to a survey by the education ministry. This they say is mainly due to the mismatch between the subjects taught in schools and the actual requirements in the job. The survey found that many university graduates cannot write a simple application or a leave letter in Dzongkha. This was revealed during the Dzongkha Development Commission’s annual conference.

The promotion of the national language has been discussed at the highest level of the government including the national assembly. And as decided in the National Assembly, the Royal Civil Service Commission also issued an office order stating that seminars and workshops should be conducted in Dzongkha. All press releases and office orders should also be written in Dzongkha. However, Dzongkha experts say the rule is not being implemented. They said hardly any workshop or seminar is conducted in Dzongkha. Also all office orders and press releases are written in English and not in Dzongkha.

According to the Dzongkha Development Commission works to reform the Dzongkha curriculum have started and the new curriculum will focus on reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills like in English.

The Director General of the Dzongkha Development Commission, Dasho Sangay Dorji said they would like to train all civil servants including those in managerial and executive positions in writing of official correspondences in Dzongkha by the end of the tenth five year plan. “It will go a long way in promoting the national language,” he said.

Dasho Sangay Dorji also said many Bhutanese were not keen to learn Dzongkha. “It is because people who excel in Dzongkha are not given any recognition whereas anybody who can speak English reasonably well is looked up to. Also a better command of English enhances training opportunities and studies abroad.”

Chhimi Tenzin, the people’s representative to the national assembly from Chang and Kawang told BBS that with globalization and the kingdom undergoing rapid socio economic development, there was a huge risk that Dzongkha might become neglected. “English is important and should not be neglected but Dzongkha is the national language and its preservation and promotion is important for our shared identity,” Chimi Tenzin said.

Some of the Dzongkha language teacher from schools in the capital said students do not take much interest in Dzongkha. They said there is prestige in being able to speak English but those who can speak Dzongkha equally well receive no such recognition. They said it may also be partly because most parents converse in English at home.

2007, May 05: The 16th border coordination meeting between Bhutan and India was held in Darjeeling, India on 30th April and 1st May. The Bhutanese delegation comprising of the Chukha and Samtse Dzongdas, and representatives from police, transport authority, and forest, was led by Dasho Tshering Wangda, joint secretary, ministry of home and cultural affairs.

The Indian delegation was led by BL Meena, the commissioner of the Indian district of Jalpaiguri. The two day meeting discussed security matters along the border, issues related to insurgent groups and anti national elements, and exchange of information between Bhutanese and Indian officials.

The meeting also saw discussions on the creation of eco-friendly border in the towns of Phuntsholing and Jaigaon, ways to curb illegal felling of trees along the border, and the adverse effects of dolomite mining on wildlife and rivers in West Bengal.

It was decided that the district magistrate of Jalpaiguri and the Dzongdas of Samtse and Chukha will look into the environmental issues. It was also decided that Bhutanese and Indian officials will work closely to curb illegal activities.

The leader of the Bhutanese delegation Dasho Tshering Wangda said the meeting was conducted in the most cordial environment. The leader of the Indian delegation BB Meena described the meeting as a success. The leaders of the two delegations signed an agreement at the end of the two day meeting.

A meeting is scheduled between the Chief Conservator of Forest, North Bengal, and his Bhutanese counterpart on 15th of May to discuss the issues related to illegal mining.

2007, May 05: The annual engineering conference began yesterday in Thimphu. The conference will focus on enhancing productivity and professionalism. The conference will see presentation and discussions on enhancing professionalism in construction, improving the productivity of Dzongkhag engineering sector and the problem and prospects of improving productivity and professionalism from the private sector’s perspective. The engineers will also discuss professional approaches towards urban planning in Bhutan.

Opening the conference the Prime Minister, Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk said developing infrastructure was a major component for the socio economic development of a country especially for developing countries. He said the construction industry was the fastest growing industry with the royal government spending 70-80 percent of its budget on various constructions.

Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk reminded the engineers of the importance of planning saying that quality should not be compromised. “Fronting and undesirable sub-contracting should be discouraged,” said the Prime Minister.

Also speaking at the function, the Zhabto Lyonpo, Kinzang Dorji said skilled and experienced local workers in key trades are crucial in providing leadership and making sustained progress in quality and productivity.

The Ministry of Works and Human Settlement introduced a construction excellence award from this year. The award was given to the project management team of the Ministry of Health and the Nima Construction for the construction of the Ministry of Health headquarters building. The award is in recognition of the excellence in construction.

2007, May 05: The Tarayana Foundation is organizing its annual fair at the clock tower square in Thimphu. The fair is being held to commemorate its foundation day. From about 30 beneficiaries when it was first founded in 2003, the foundation today has more than one hundred beneficiaries spread across the country.

The Tarayana Foundation was founded by Her Majesty the Queen Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck on 4th May, 2003 to support the needy, the vulnerable, and the underprivileged. Tarayana also sponsors students from financially disadvantaged families. The foundation has more than one hundred beneficiaries spread across the country. It also supports 783 students in schools across Bhutan through its scholarship endowment programme.

The foundation also helps promote arts and crafts by providing training to low income groups thereby enhancing their income. The fair at the clock tower includes cane and bamboo products from khenpa community in Mongar, traditional paper products from Lhops and nettle products from Trongsa.

Her Majesty the Queen Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck graced the opening of the fair. Her Royal Highness Ashi Kezang Wangmo Wangchuck was the guest of honor.

Also present at the opening was the Prime Minister Lyonpo khandu Wangchuck, cabinet ministers, senior government officials and representatives from international organizations. Several stalls selling arts and crafts and food stalls and games stalls have been set up at the fair.

Last year one of the major attractions was clay pots from Wangling, under Langthel gewog in Trongsa. They had sold all their products within two days. Owing to the demand they said this year they had brought more clay pots.

Cane and bamboo products from Kheng Silambi of Werringla dungkhag in Mongar are being sold for the first time at the fair. The fair will end on 6th may.

2007, May 01: The court is not an institution to display power and authority, frustrate the litigants but to provide fair justice to the public. The Chief Justice Lyonpo Sonan Tobgay was speaking at the opening of the annual judicial conference in the capital on Monday, April 30.

Drangpons and judiciary officials from across the kingdom and the high court are attending the three day conference.

As Bhutan moves into a new era, the judiciary will face challenges in administering justice. The judiciary, the chief justice said must therefore rise to the challenges and ensure that the rule of law continue to flourish.

“The quest for faster, better and inexpensive delivery of justice by the judiciary, enhancing the respect for the rule of law is essential to promote and strengthen Gross National Happiness. Independence of judiciary must be preserved as a citadel of the public justice and public security,” said Lyonpo Sonam Tobgay.

The Chief Justice said the primary focus of the judiciary must be to reduce the length of adjudication. There are only 27 cases which are pending beyond 18 months. The judiciary, will try to minimize the length of adjudication to one year from the day the case is registered, he said.

The judiciary will also open registry in bigger Dzongkhags to facilitate prompt legal services by issuing certificates and other necessary papers.

Talking about the developments in the judiciary, the chief justice said the civil and criminal procedure code has enhanced the access to justice and the enactment of the penal code has reformed the criminal justice system. The judicial service act has further guaranteed the independence of the judiciary.

During the three day conference, the participants will discuss various issues including the use of information technology in the judiciary, human resource development, physical infrastructure, and the role of the media.