Addressing teacher shortage: Former teac
2024-4-11
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Digital economy crucial for future employment opportunities
A technology-driven high-end economy could be a promising sector for generating more job opportunities in the future even as Bhutan faces the challenge of tackling increasing youth unemployment.
Source:Kuensel2023-9-15590 -
New study shows Bhutan’s battle against HIV stigma and discrimination
People living with HIV (PLHIV) in Bhutan often face social isolation, discrimination, and violence, which deter vulnerable groups from getting tested and contribute to the spread and progression of the disease, a study h…
Source:Kuensel2023-9-15468 -
Intensifying zero poaching efforts against illegal wildlife trade
The illicit trade in wildlife is gaining alarming traction within the country, as instances of wildlife poaching and apprehensions continue to rise.
Source:Kuensel2023-9-14604 -
Livestock losses worry farmers
Bhutan recorded 2,187 bovine deaths in the past eight months this year incurring huge losses to farmers.
Source:Kuensel2023-9-14905 -
Bhutan achieves over 90% HPV vaccination coverage
Bhutan’s ambition to eradicate cervical cancer in women by 2030 draws closer to realisation, with over 90 percent of HPV vaccinations administered to both girls and boys.
Source:Kuensel2023-9-12404 -
Human-elephant conflict escalates in Gelephu
In the early hours between 2:30am and 3am yesterday, a herd of 12 elephants caused damage to sections of a three-acre paddy field in Samtenthang, Sarpang.
Source:Kuensel2023-9-12688 -
Dratshang reinstates the Day of Offering
To commemorate the birth of Her Royal Highness the Princess, the Zhung Dratshang declared the day as Dratshang Yojay Gi Nyim, or the day to make offerings to central monastic body.
Source:Kuensel2023-9-11733 -
In pictures: Bhutan celebrates the birth of Her Royal Highness the Gyalsem
Bhutan celebrates the birth of Her Royal Highness the Gyalsem
Source:Kuensel2023-9-11450 -
Bhutan welcomes HRH the Gyalsem
On Saturday, as the nation awoke to the news of the birth of the royal baby girl, the country was already swept up in the fervour of ecstatic celebration.
Source:Kuensel2023-9-11663 -
WOW losing the wow factor?
The Wobthang Organic Wonders (WOW) project in Tang, Bumthang, initiated as the largest farming project in the country, is facing sustainability issues with no one monitoring the farm and its activities.
Source:Kuensel2023-9-10706 -
Uncertainty surrounds the appointment of cluster principals
The Ministry of Education and Skill Development (MoESD) is yet to reach a final decision on the appointment of cluster principals, a proposal initially intended for submission to the government.
Source:Kuensel2023-9-7537 -
BCCI explores FDIs
The Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) is exploring ways to attract foreign direct investments (FDIs) in 15 potential sectors.
Source:Kuensel2023-9-7398 -
Growing domestic demand cuts electricity export revenue by 27 percent
The overall electricity export revenue to India declined by about 27 percent in the first seven months of this year compared to the same period last year.
Source:Kuensel2023-9-5535 -
PDP refutes allegations of corruption against its ministers
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) clarified yesterday that the decision to award the contract Package XV of the Northern East-west Highway Project (NEHP) to Empire Construction was made to prevent delays and economic …
Source:Kuensel2023-9-5335 -
Police land biggest seizure of drugs
In the biggest seizure to date, the Police’s Narcotic Drugs and Law Enforcement Unit in Thimphu arrested three people, including a man, aged between 26 to 29 years for illicit trafficking of drugs at Yoeselpang, Thimphu…
Source:Kuensel2023-9-4585 -
Bhutan joins mega regional conservation project
A project that will plant one billion trees and restore one million hectares of land, the Great People’s Forest of Eastern Himalayas, was launched on September 2.
Source:Kuensel2023-9-4246 -
2022 sees economic growth at 5.21 percent
Bhutan’s economy recorded a growth of 5.21 percent last year from 4.42 percent in 2021 in the previous year, mainly attributed to better performance in hotels and restaurants, construction, and wholesale and retail trad…
Source:Kuensel2023-9-2426 -
Two former ministers alleged of abuse of power
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Kuensel learnt, has forwarded a case for prosecution related to abuse of power to the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) implicating two former ministers.
Source:Kuensel2023-9-2398 -
Centre warns farmers about rice blast outbreak
Farmers are on high alert as the National Plant Protection Centre warns of imminent rice blast due to current weather conditions.
Source:Kuensel2023-9-1406 -
Cordyceps harvest lowest since 2018
After the bumper harvest last year, cordyceps production, going by amounts presented at the public auction, fell by 82 percent to 118 kgs this year.
Source:Kuensel2023-9-1542 -
Southern dzongkhags lead forest conservation with 19% growth
Two southern dzongkhags – Samdrupjongkhar and Samtse – have witnessed 19 percent forest growth in the past five years.
Source:Kuensel2023-8-29545 -
Bhutan’s environmental conservation commitment highlighted at GEF7 Assembly
Finance Minister Namgay Tshering led a five-member Bhutanese delegation to the seventh Assembly of the Global Environment Facility (GEF7) in Vancouver, Canada from August 22 to 26.
Source:Kuensel2023-8-29284 -
Month-long campaign to vaccinate against cattle disease
Livestock officials have been scattered across the country to vaccinate the bovine population in time to prevent the Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) from claiming more fatalities.
Source:Kuensel2023-8-29537 -
Govt. can borrow an additional Nu 18.21 billion as non-hydro budgetary debt
The government can borrow an additional Nu 18.21 billion as non-hydro budgetary debt based on the estimated gross domestic product (GDP) for fiscal year 2022-23 with the revised debt policy.
Source:SATV2023-8-27207 -
PHPA-ll likely to commission two units by October next year
With 95.42 percent of the project completed as of July 31, the 1,020MW Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project Authority (PHPA) is expected to commission by October next year.
Source:Kuensel2023-8-26644 -
Govt. can borrow an additional Nu 18.21 billion as non-hydro budgetary debt
The government can borrow an additional Nu 18.21 billion as non-hydro budgetary debt based on the estimated gross domestic product (GDP) for fiscal year 2022-23 with the revised debt policy.
Source:Kuensel2023-8-26448 -
Residents seek permanent flood control measures
Settlements along the banks of Shetikhari stream in Gelephu gewog live under constant threat of flooding every monsoon without proper flood mitigation measures.
Source:Kuensel2023-8-25239 -
Massive slope failures threaten village
Threatened by the risk of massive slope failures, seven households in Mendrelgang village in Pemagatshel have been relocated to relief camps recently.
Source:Kuensel2023-8-25357 -
Women’s participation in political parties increases
With 23 women participating in the upcoming National Assembly elections, the number of women candidates has increased compared to past elections.
Source:Kuensel2023-8-24177 -
Fiscal deficit to surge by more than six-fold in last five years
With the estimated fiscal deficit of Nu 21.35 billion, or 9.7 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) for this fiscal year, the deficit could swell by over six-fold or about 680 percent over the past five years.
Source:Kuensel2023-8-24289 -
NCGS projects come to an end by this month
Over a span of two years, a loan of Nu 852.08 Million (M) has been extended across 213 projects through the avenues of the National Credit Guarantee Scheme (NCGS), signifying a robust stride towards bolstering economic e…
Source:Kuensel2023-8-23342 -
Bhutan’s organic goal on track?
In 2019, Bhutan embraced the ambitious goal of becoming the world’s first 100 percent organic nation by 2020 to make agriculture more sustainable and establish a resilient, productive organic farming system while preser…
Source:Kuensel2023-8-23428 -
LDC graduation is not problem -free, warns top UN official
As Bhutan is set to graduate out of the Least Developed Country category by year-end, UN’s Under-Secretary-General Rabab Fatima said that it will bring both opportunities and problems.
Source:Kuensel2023-8-21210 -
PDP declares three more candidates
People’s Democratic Party (PDP) declared its candidates for the Lhuentse, Mongar, and Trashiyangtse constituencies for the upcoming National Assembly election.
Source:Kuensel2023-8-21365 -
Highlanders accuse thromde of deporting horses and imposing hefty fines
The residents of Lingzhi Gewog in Thimphu claim that the Thimphu Thromde is engaged in deporting horses and imposing substantial fines when their horses are found within the city precinct.
Source:Kuensel2023-8-21175 -
Dealers fear business after govt. extends vehicle import moratorium
The government’s announcement on extending the year-long moratorium on vehicle import for another six months until February 17 next year has left vehicle dealers questioning their sustainability.
Source:SATV2023-8-2068 -
Tenth Parliament session in October
The tenth session of the third Parliament and the last session for the National Assembly (NA) members will commence tentatively around third week of October.
Source:Kuensel2023-8-19169 -
HM Grants Audience to UN USG
His Majesty The King yesterday granted an audience to Rabab Fatima, UN Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for LDCs, LLDCs and SIDs, who is on a visit to Bhutan ahead of the country’s graduation from the Lea…
Source:Kuensel2023-8-1972 -
GDP growth slowest, average of 1.5% in the past five years
Looking at the trend of the past five years, the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) or economic growth
Source:SATV2023-8-1719 -
Exports to third countries grow over 25 percent in first quarter
Bhutan’s export to third countries in the first quarter of this year has grown by 26.62 percent compared to the same period last year.
Source:Kuensel2023-8-11501 -
New private weighbridge to ease trade
To facilitate uninterrupted export and import, a 100 metric tonnes (MT) private weighbridge will be installed in Gelephu to supplement the existing weighbridge at the Gelephu dry port stockyard.
Source:Kuensel2023-8-10694 -
Timber harvesting main cause of forest health decline
Timber harvesting has been causing 95 percent of impact on forest health and disturbance, according to the second National Forest Inventory.
Source:Kuensel2023-8-10362 -
Import ban on non-basmati rice likely to end soon
The supply crunch of non-Basmati rice could ease if the Government of India (GoI) considers the government’s request to lift the ban on its export.
Source:Kuensel2023-8-948 -
His Majesty The King visits Lhuentse
His Majesty The King visited Lhuentse, where a recent flash flood washed away 23 people. His Majesty met with the family members of the victims, and visited the site of the incident at Ungar, where search efforts are sti…
Source:Kuensel2023-7-30827 -
Windstorm damages over 70 acres of crops
Trashigang – More than 130 households in Domkhar and Yenang Brangsa chiwog of samkhar gewog lost at least 70 acres of maize and other crops to a windstorm last week.
Source:Kuensel2023-7-29453 -
Armed Forces pay hike by 55-71 percent
The Armed Forces salary is also revised ranging from 55 to 71 percent. This means Chuma personnel’s gross salary will be little more than Nu 30,000 a month including allowances.
Source:Kuensel2023-7-27666 -
Improving policing services against rising criminal activities
To improve the effectiveness of policing services through enhanced coordination and curb criminal activities in the country, a police team headed by Colonel Passang Dorji recently visited seven western dzongkhags.
Source:Kuensel2023-7-25343 -
Bhutan eliminates Rubella
Bhutan has been successful in eliminating Rubella after almost two decades of battling the disease.
Source:Kuensel2023-7-25462 -
Disputes and lack of irrigation water have led to fallowing of land
The once lush and productive paddy fields along the Indian border near Gelephu main town have remained fallow for over a decade due to the lack of a proper irrigation canal and disagreements among the landowners.
Source:Kuensel2023-7-25630 -
Seventeen still missing in Ungar flash flood
Dechen Pelden, 28, and her husband in Ungar village in Lhuentse heard a rumbling sound and the earth beneath them shake while they were preparing dinner on Thursday at around 7.40pm. Fearing something was wrong, they cam…
Source:Kuensel2023-7-22673 -
GAB proposes standardisation of DSA for guides
The Guide Association of Bhutan (GAB) has put forth a comprehensive proposal for the standardisation of the Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) provided to tourist guides in the country.
Source:Kuensel2023-7-21414 -
Govt. approves facilitators for ECCD centres to open soon
The 132 vacant Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) centres which remained shut because of shortage of facilitators could open soon.
Source:Kuensel2023-7-21470 -
Bhutan tries electric bus as focus shifts to eco-friendly transport
The first electric bus launched yesterday will hit the Thimphu roads next week.
Source:Kuensel2023-7-20365 -
INR reserves plummet by 44 percent in last one year
The country’s growing imports and declining exports have depleted Bhutan’s rupee reserve by 44 percent as of March this year compared to the same month in 2022.
Source:Kuensel2023-7-20387 -
DHI and group’s revenue rose by 13.77 percent last year
The Druk Holding and Investments (DHI) and the group’s revenue grew by 13.77 percent in 2022 compared to the previous year, according to its press release.
Source:Kuensel2023-7-19259 -
Cyber incidents rise highlight need for strengthened cybersecurity
As government agencies increasingly use the internet to streamline service delivery to citizens, reports of cyber incidents have surged, with a total of 129 incidents recorded last year, according to the Royal Audit Auth…
Source:Kuensel2023-7-18417 -
Govt. will take in returnees on contract
The government would welcome Bhutanese who emigrated to Australia and other countries for further studies or better opportunities, but want to return home and continue with the profession they quit to leave.
Source:Kuensel2023-7-18384 -
Pedestrian road accidents increase in Thimphu
Thimphu has witnessed an increase in the number of pedestrian road accidents compared with the previous year, according to the data collected by the police division.
Source:Kuensel2023-7-16508 -
More than 2,900 civil servants resign
As many as 2,934 civil servants exited the civil service between January to June, which is the highest in recent years. This includes voluntary resignation and superannuation.
Source:Kuensel2023-7-16668 -
Unrelenting rainfall causes flash floods and roadblocks in Gelephu
In the late hours of July 11, the Shetikhari stream in Gelephu experienced a significant rise in water levels due to incessant rainfall, leading to gravel erosion in nearby villages.
Source:Kuensel2023-7-13141 -
Sephu hosts Bhutan’s first mega solar power plant
The groundbreaking ceremony for the country’s first mega solar power plant with a capacity of 17.38-megawatt was held in Sephu, Wangdue yesterday.
Source:Kuensel2023-7-13396 -
Cyber experts warn of more cyber-attacks with generative AI
With generative AI technology evolving, top cyber security experts warn of the increasing danger of cyber-attacks that could compromise countries and organisations.
Source:Kuensel2023-7-11340 -
His Majesty on tour overseas
His Majesty The King embarked on an overseas visit from Paro airport yesterday morning.
Source:Kuensel2023-7-11362 -
Rabid dog bites three children in Gelephu
A black female rabid dog has bitten three children in the army residential colony at Pelrithang, Gelephu. The incident occurred on different occasions on July 5 and 6.
Source:Kuensel2023-7-8117 -
Committee experts indecisive on barrage option for PHPA I
The Inter-Government Group (IGG) committee has still not decided on whether to construct a barrage and dam for the 1,200MW Punatsangchhu Hydroelectric Project (PI) in the last six months since it was formed in January.
Source:Kuensel2023-7-7320 -
Govt. to complete nationwide ePIS rollout by next year
The Health Ministry will roll out the second phase of the electronic Patient Information System (ePIS) in Mongar and Gelephu referral hospitals, subsequently completing the nationwide rollout by June next year.
Source:Kuensel2023-7-5194 -
Public servants set to receive substantial salary hike as Pay Bill passes
The National Assembly of Bhutan passed the Pay Revision Bill 2023 yesterday, paving the way for public servants to enjoy a salary increase ranging from 55 to 74 percent starting this month.
Source:Kuensel2023-7-5325 -
UN willing to explore deployment options for Bhutan, says USG
On his visit to Bhutan, the Under Secretary General (USG) for Peace Operations of the United Nations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix USG, expressed the organisation’s willingness to explore other deployment options in collaboratio…
Source:Kuensel2023-7-3342 -
Gelephu: Rabies outbreak a serious concern
A 29-year-old RBA soldier has been admitted in the intensive care of the Central Regional Referral Hospital (CRRH), Gelephu after a rabid dog bit him on May 31 at the Tareythang army outpost.
Source:Kuensel2023-7-3146 -
Industries suffer frequent power disruptions in Pasakha
Industries in Pasakha, Chukha, have been experiencing frequent power outages, disrupting their operations for more than three months.
Source:Kuensel2023-7-2809 -
10 percent remittance incentive’s future hinges on six-month evaluation: PM
Ugyen Wangdi, MP for Drametse Ngatshang, proposed yesterday that Bhutan should extend the 10 percent incentive on remittance until the country accumulates sufficient foreign currency reserves (FCR).
Source:Kuensel2023-7-1136 -
Her Majesty graces opening of National Recovery Symposium
Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen graced the opening ceremony of the National Recovery Symposium, a three-day event organized by The PEMA Secretariat to help address the issues of substance use and substance use disorder on June…
Source:Kuensel2023-7-1118 -
Questions on questions on loan moratorium
The government had not received a satisfactory answer from the Royal Monetary Authority (RMA) even after discussions, formally and informally, with relevant officials of the central bank on the proposals to lift the mora…
Source:Kuensel2023-6-28326 -
Farmers lock horns as shortage of water affects cultivation
While police have asked elected local government members to mediate the issue, the complaint on June 25 to police, highlights the problems of water shortage during the crucial paddy transplantation season.
Source:Kuensel2023-6-28398 -
VP alleged of assaulting teacher
An assault case involving the vice principal and a teacher has reached the drungkhag court following a heated clash over a carton of biscuits at the Nganglam Middle Secondary School in Pemagatshel. The incident, which oc…
Source:Kuensel2023-6-28434 -
Annual leave for civil servants increases to 21 days
In a move aimed at promoting work-life balance and rejuvenation among civil servants, the Royal Civil Service Commission (RCSC) has introduced a provision for annual leave (AL).
Source:Kuensel2023-6-28461 -
Improved irrigation canal transforms farming in Tshankhardung
The villagers of Tshankhardung in Trashiyangtse are making the most of their day, attending to their farmlands and taking a well-deserved mid-morning break. Among them, Jatshola and his friends are particularly content t…
Source:Kuensel2023-6-26506 -
Sarpang sees surge in areca nut growers
Areca nut business in Sarpang is expected to grow in a few years, as an increasing number of farmers have been cultivating areca nut in recent years.
Source:Kuensel2023-6-26313 -
Govt. funding needed to stabilise: SOEs
The State-owned enterprises (SOEs) say they need government funding for their long-term financial stability since 10 out of 13 SOEs incurred losses in the past two consecutive years.
Source:Kuensel2023-6-22287 -
OPEC to fund renewable energy in Bhutan
The Organization for Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Fund is actively involved with the Government of Bhutan to finance Gamri-I (45MW) hydropower project in Trashigang and the Begana (25MW) hydropower project in Thi…
Source:Kuensel2023-6-22325 -
EFC urges government to take action on non-performing SoEs, tourism incentives, and credit access
In a significant development, the Economic and Finance Committee of the National Assembly has put forth recommendations for the government to address critical issues concerning non-performing State-Owned Enterprises (SOE…
Source:Kuensel2023-6-21214 -
ACC clears DCCL of corruption allegations
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has dropped all allegations of corrupt practices against the Dungsam Cement Corporation Limited (DCCL) management after conducting a review of the complaint letter they received recen…
Source:Kuensel2023-6-21291 -
New irrigation scheme disappoints Kabjisa farmers
The paddy saplings are ripe, and paddy fields in Yousakha-Chorten Nyingpo chiwog in Kabjisa gewog, Punakha are ploughed and ready for cultivation. Usually the landscape would be covered in greenery by now.
Source:Kuensel2023-6-20210 -
DGPC to construct Kholongchhu hydropower project
The Druk Green Power Corporation (DGPC) will construct the 600MW Kholongchhu Hydro Energy Ltd which will be financed through a debt-equity ratio of 70:30.
Source:Kuensel2023-6-20436 -
His Majesty The King graces the passing out parade of the pilot BMT
His Majesty The King graced the passing out parade of the pilot basic military training (BMT), 56th batch Desuung training at Pelrithang, Gelephu yesterday.
Source:Kuensel2023-6-18339 -
Reservations on the convention could deprive rights: Experts
In what is a welcome development for people with disabilities, the National Assembly ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) on June 14.
Source:Kuensel2023-6-18288 -
Inward remittance becomes more attractive
Sending money home from abroad has become more attractive after the Royal Monetary Authority (RMA) revamped the incentive on inward remittance from 2 to 10 percent from yesterday until December this year.
Source:Kuensel2023-6-16489 -
News of the third Royal Child excites Bhutan and the Bhutanese
The entire nation is brimming with joy and enthusiasm following the news shared yesterday morning by Their Majesties regarding the expectation of their third Royal child.
Source:Kuensel2023-6-16117 -
Govt. proposes 55-74 percent pay hike for civil servants
If the parliament passes the Pay Revision Bill of Bhutan 2023, the civil servants will draw a salary hike of 55 to 74 percent on their minimum pay scale from July 1 this year.
Source:Kuensel2023-6-12224 -
A new biological corridor to connect parks
Agriculture Minister Yeshey Penjor introduced the declaration of a biological corridor (BC) connecting Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary and Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary at the National Assembly yesterday.
Source:Kuensel2023-6-10421 -
Egg demand soars in meat-less month
Demand for eggs has spiked in the capital as meat shops remain closed for the holy month until June 18.
Source:Kuensel2023-6-10549 -
More than 10,000 graduates to attend convocation this year
The convocation for graduates of colleges under Royal University of Bhutan (RUB) from 2019 to date is likely to be held by October this year, according to Vice Chancellor Nidup Dorji.
Source:Kuensel2023-6-9106 -
Anticipation rises as Parliament discusses Sixth Pay Commission Report
The much-awaited Pay Revision Bill of Bhutan 2023 will take center stage during the ninth session of the Third Parliament, fueling excitement and high expectations among the public and civil servants alike.
Source:Kuensel2023-6-9356 -
His Majesty the King graces opening ceremony of 9th Session of Parliament
His Majesty the King graced the opening ceremony of the 9th Session of the Third Parliament yesterday.
Source:Kuensel2023-6-9419 -
Demo project shows Bhutan’s potential in solar energy
The 11.7-kilowatt solar panels installed in the campus of Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (MoENR) generated 19,753 units of energy in kWh as of May 26.
Source:Kuensel2023-6-8568 -
Light session for newly constituted NC?
It could be a light session for the newly-constituted National Council going by the agenda on the table. The elected members to the 4th National Council received their dhar from His Majesty the King on Wednesday, June 6.
Source:Kuensel2023-6-8248 -
Coming together against plastic waste
If urgent action is not taken against plastic waste, this is what the class V student of Changangkha Middle Secondary School, Ugyen Sonam Pelbar, imagines the world he will be living in.
Source:Kuensel2023-6-7368 -
CFM rooftop solar plant launched
Commemorating the birth anniversary of Her Majesty the Gyaltsuen, a solar rooftop plant was launched on June 4 at the Centenary Farmer’s Market in Thimphu.
Source:Kuensel2023-6-7367 -
Inflation rises to 3.29 percent in April
Bhutan experienced a rise in the cost of goods and services, with the inflation rate reaching 3.29 percent in April compared to the same month last year.
Source:Kuensel2023-6-7452 -
Power generation dips by 7.5 percent in first 4 months
Hydropower generation saw a drop of 7.5 percent between January and April compared to the same period last year.
Source:Kuensel2023-6-4159
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