Bhutan Daily News 23-05-23

𝗔𝗹𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝟰𝟬% 𝗕𝗵𝘂𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆, 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗚𝗡𝗛 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗲𝘅 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁

If the 2022 GNH Index report released by the Centre for Bhutan and GNH Studies is anything to go by, Bhutanese are generally happy. The report states an increase in the GNH index by 3.3 per cent compared to 2015. The increase shows improvements in housing, positive emotions, income, schooling, services, and literary indicators in the last seven years. However, as happy as the Bhutanese are, the report saw a significant decrease in cultural participation, Driglam Namzha, healthy days, and political participation indicators.

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𝗦𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗴𝗴𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘂𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀: 𝗗𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗹𝗮 𝗚𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗴 𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗮 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁

With unsuitable lands, the people of Dagala Gewog in Thimphu are requesting the government for land replacement. The people complain that their lands which are registered as dry lands are neither suitable for agriculture nor for constructing houses. The issue was raised in the recent Dzongkhag Tshogdu yet again.

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𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗕𝗵𝘂𝘁𝗮𝗻 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗦𝗔 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲𝘀

The tourism industry is one of the hardest hit sectors in the country by the COVID pandemic but recent reports suggest that it is gradually recovering. Amidst all the policy reforms aimed at the revival of the tourism sector, tour guides are now working on standardising their Daily Subsistence Allowance, DSA, and professional fees. With the increase in the Sustainable Development Fee, the guides are now calling for a hike in their wage as well.

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𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗵𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗵𝗮 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗞𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗸𝗵𝗮 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀 𝘂𝗽𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗱, 𝗪𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗱𝘂𝗲 𝗣𝗵𝗼𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴

The recently concluded Dzongkhag Tshogdu in Wangdue Phodrang decided to conduct a feasibility study to upgrade Phetakha Primary School in Athang Gewog and Khotokha Primary School in Bjena Gewog. The decision was reached after some local leaders informed the House that there is enough population to maintain the enrolment of students and adequate facilities in the two schools.

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𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘂𝗽𝘀𝗲𝘁 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗴

The People of Tsamang Gewog in Monggar are not happy with the stone extraction work carried out along their Gewog Centre road. They are now accusing the gup of issuing the public clearance to the construction company without consulting them. They say the stone extraction works are not only damaging the road but are also posing risks to travellers due to falling boulders and landslides.

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𝗔𝗮-𝗣𝗼𝘄 𝗜𝗰𝗲 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗴𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗱𝗼𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗼𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝗚𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗽𝗵𝘂

With the scorching summer temperatures above 30 degrees in Gelephu, what could be more refreshing than ice cream? Aa-Pow Ice Cream, locally made in Gelephu Gewog’s Pelrithang Khamaed is offering a delightful solution. Started manufacturing in March of this year, Aa-Pow Ice Cream now delivers its product door-to-door in and around Gelephu and in Sarpang.

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According to the Department of Surface Transport’s regional office in Lingmithang, the Gyalpozhing Nganglam primary national highway will remain closed to traffic until further notice.

The bailey bridge collapsed along with a ten wheeler dumper truck. The bridge over Drangmechhu connects Pema Gatshel and Monggar. The incident happened at around 2:30 PM today. However, the driver escaped unhurt. The truck was traveling towards Nganglam from Gyalposhing. The police are investigating the cause of the collapse.

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In ongoing Pepsi Bhutan Premier League, a closely contested match between Namlha FC and Tsirang FC saw Namlha FC win the match two - one.

Namlha FC led the match one - nil at the halftime break. Namlha FC doubled their lead midway through the second half. Tsirang FC managed to pull one goal back in the 72nd minute of the match but Namlha's defense stood firm to take their team across the final whistle. With the three points, Namlha FC is just behind BFF Academy in the points table on goal difference. The two teams are the only undefeated teams in the league so far.

Tomorrow, Tensung FC will take on South Druk United FC at the RTC football ground.

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The new UNICEF Representative to Bhutan, Andrea James presented her credentials to Foreign Minister Dr Tandi Dorji at the Gyalyong Tshokhang today.

Prior to the current assignment to Bhutan, Andrea James was the chief of National Committee Relations, at UNIECF in Geneva. Starting with a water supply programme in Bhutan in 1974, UNICEF has supported Bhutan in its efforts to bring about significant improvements to the lives of Bhutanese. The UNICEF country office was established in 1990.