Bhutan Daily News 23-03-23

1. Three men in their thirties are under police custody for alleged gold smuggling in Paro. Two of them are from Lhuentse and one is from Dagana. The police following a tip-off intercepted them last Wednesday when they were returning from Bangkok. They were caught at the arrival parking lot outside the airport. According to sources, they were carrying more than seven kilograms of gold in their hand luggage which was not scanned at the custom X-Ray. The gold is currently in the custody of Paro police. Police are investigating the case. This is the first gold smuggling case reported after the border reopening.

2. There are 6 candidates debating in Samdrup Jongkhar.

3. Since its official launch in September last year, the Trans Bhutan Trail has received more than 2,000 trekkers. A few of them were tourists while the majority were locals including DeSuups, students, officials from ministries, and youth. The 400-kilometre-plus historic ancient trail which stretches from Haa to Trashigang was redeveloped in 2018 with the guidance of His Majesty The King.

4. Delay in the operation of an Electric Vehicle charging station is causing inconveniences to EV taxi drivers in Gelephu. EV taxi drivers say work is not progressing as they expected. And this has been affecting their business.

5. The European Union has committed 42 million Euros, roughly Nu 3.7 billion to Bhutan under the current Multi-annual Indicative Programme 2021-2027. It has allocated 31 million Euro for the period 2021-2024, of which a financing agreement of 15 million Euro was signed in September 2022 for promoting inclusive, sustainable and resilient agri-food systems in Bhutan. Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering, made an official visit to the European Union in Brussels and Luxembourg from 16 - 22 March 2023.

6. In the latest development of the alleged bribery case of the Dhamngoi Dzomdu in Punakha, the Election Dispute Settlement Centre revokes the decision of the Punakha District Dispute Settlement Body. The cousin of the aspiring National Council MP of Toedbisa Gewog will not have to pay any fines now. The centre passed the decision yesterday. The District Dispute Settlement Body last Wednesday asked the cousin of the selected NC candidate to pay a fine equivalent to 120 days of the national wage for violating the election act, rules and regulations and guidelines.

7. Around 6,000 international tourists paying the new Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) visited the country since the reopening of borders six months ago. Another 7000 tourists paying the old tariff visited the country in the same period. To attract more tourists, the Tourism Department is working on introducing family-oriented tourism product and making Bhutan an all-season destination.

8. People in Pema Gatshel can now avail themselves of public services from the new Dzong in Denchi. The administrative offices in the old Dzong have been moved to the new one last week. Landowners in Denchi town, which is the district’s new town planning area, are encouraged by this new development.

9. The certification of counsellors in the country will now be done by the Bhutan Qualification and Professional Certification Authority (BQPCA). The Bhutan Board for Certified Counsellors officially transferred the mandate of certifying counsellors to the Authority today. Her Majesty Queen Mother Sangay Choden Wangchuck, the Royal Patron and Founder of RENEW, graced the ceremony.