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𝗛𝗛 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗷𝗲 𝗞𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗽𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗗𝗵𝗮𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗟𝗮𝗺𝘀, 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝗳 𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿 His Holiness the Je Khenpo has appointed the new chief auditor of the Zhung Dratshang, the new principal of the Phochhu Dumra central monastic school and the new Lams for the Drakna Goempa and Dongkola monasteries. The new appointees received Dhar from His Holiness at the Trashichhoedzong this morning. 𝗕𝗵𝘂𝘁𝗮𝗻 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝗵𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗵𝘆 Bhutan has made history at the Five Nation Championship as the senior men’s national basketball team clinched Bhutan’s first international trophy at the expense of Bangladesh. The match was played last night. In a nerve-racking final, Bhutan came from behind late into the match to secure a memorable victory in the Maldives. The match was watched by thousands of Bhutanese supporters back home. Her Majesty Gyalyum Tshering Yangdoen Wangchuck and His Royal Highness Gyalsey Jigme Namgyel graced the ceremony to install Sertog on the Utse of Chari Monastery this morning. The ceremony held to install the Sertog (golden pinnacle) was led by the Dorji Lopen. Chari Monastery, which was built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in 1620, is of immense historical and spiritual importance to Bhutan. Major restoration works of the monastery started in 2016, overseen by the Department of Culture and Dzongkha Development. The works include reconstruction of significant structures within the Monastery, as well as fortifying the surroundings to improve safety and access to the 400-year old monastery. The restoration project is expected to be completed in 2024. 𝗡𝗖'𝘀 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗔𝗳𝗳𝗮𝗶𝗿𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗕𝘂𝗱𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 The Economic Affairs Committee of the National Council made two more recommendations on the Budget report. They were presented during deliberations on the Annual Budget Appropriation Bill and Supplementary Budget Appropriation Bill at the National Council today. The committee recommended the government to direct the National Statistics Bureau to reexamine the method of calculating inflation and ensure that the calculation reflects the economic reality in Bhutan. Likewise, the committee also recommended the government to work closely with the Royal Monetary Authority to avert the possible violation of the Constitution and any other economic risks arising from the rapid depletion of the foreign reserves. The House endorsed the two bills without any amendments. The Budget Report along with the Annual Budget Appropriation Bill for FY 2023-2024 and Supplementary Budget Appropriation Bill for FY 2022-2023 will be put to vote on Tuesday for formal endorsement or adoption. 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗻𝘀 𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗹𝘆 During the question hour session in the National Assembly today, Jomotshangkha-Martshala’s member of parliament Norbu Wangzom raised the concern of timely referral of patients and challenges faced by the patients and their attendants in India. The MP highlighted that cancer patients and their attendants are facing accommodation problems as they have to stay in India for years. However, the health minister said there is no delay in referral services while sharing the ministry’s plans to start medical services requiring ex-country referrals. 𝗧𝘄𝗼 𝗗𝗿𝗮𝗸𝘁𝘀𝗵𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗯𝗮𝗴 𝗴𝗼𝗹𝗱 & 𝘀𝗶𝗹𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗢𝗹𝘆𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀 Two students from the Draktsho Vocational Training Centre have bagged gold and silver medals at the ongoing Special Olympics World Games in Germany. 17-year-old Nima Yoezer won gold in the shot-put category. Similarly, 19-year-old Dechen Pem secured silver in the same category. Four students from Draktsho are representing Bhutan in the World Games. Tomorrow, 39-year-old Pelden will compete in the 100-meter men’s track race. More than 7,000 athletes from around 170 countries are competing in 24 sports disciplines at the event. The Special Olympics World Games is an international sporting event for athletes with intellectual disabilities. 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗽𝗮𝗱𝗱𝘆 𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆 Paddy growers across the country are expecting a lower yield this year due to the delayed onset of the monsoon. As a result, most of them have decided to focus on cultivating enough paddy for their consumption. The delay in monsoon has significantly impacted farming practices in the country. In districts that rely on rainwater for irrigation, paddy cultivation has started later than usual. 𝗦𝗢𝗘𝘀' 𝗽𝗮𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗯𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗲𝘀: 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 Finance Minister Namgay Tshering says the pay revision for State-Owned Enterprises will depend on if the boards of these entities utilize their operational and capital investment subsidies for a pay hike. This was revealed when the minister was responding to Opposition Leader Dorji Wangdi’s question today on why the employees of State-Owned Enterprises being public servants were not included in the 6th Pay Revision Report. Article 30 of the Constitution mandates the Pay Commission to recommend to the government, revisions in the structure of salary, allowances, benefits, and other emoluments of civil servants, elected leaders, and other public servants among others. 𝗡𝗼 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘂𝗽𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗪𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘀𝗲𝗹 & 𝗠𝘂𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗲𝘀: 𝗠𝗼𝗘𝗦𝗗 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 The Education Minister was questioned on the government’s plans to provide students of special education needs with opportunities for further studies or employment. The Tashichhoeling MP Dil Maya Rai, citing the Changangkha School as an example, shared that SEN students cannot continue their education after reaching the age of 16 and that there are limited job opportunities for them. Responding to the question, the Education minister said there is no such age limit. He also shared that there are schools such as the Wangsel and Muenselling Institutes that provide high school and undergraduate studies and that there are plans to upgrade them further. 𝗗𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗟𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗙 𝗹𝗮𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗻𝘂𝗻𝘀 The Dratshang Lhentshog and UNICEF Bhutan have launched an Information Management System for monks and nuns in the country. The Tsugla Lopon of the Central Monastic Body graced the event in the capital today. The system is designed to meet the needs and requirements for monastic education such as having data and information of monks and nuns online. Similarly, the Dratshang Lhentshog in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Skills Development, the Akelius Foundation, and UNICEF also launched the Akelius project. Through this project, monks and nuns can learn English using an application. It will be a pilot project.

Bhutan won! Bhutan wins the Five Nation Championship after defeating Bangladesh 60-62 in a nail-biting final. Bhutan lost to the Maldives 0-2 in its first match of the SAFF Championship 2023. Bhutan went behind early on after conceding a penalty in the 6th minute. Despite creating plenty of chances, Bhutan failed to convert them with a goal having been disallowed as well. The Maldives added another goal in the 90th minute. Bhutan will now play against Lebanon on Sunday. 𝗚𝗼𝗲𝗻𝗽𝗼 𝗧𝘀𝗵𝗲-𝗣𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗸𝘂 𝗬𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗸𝘂 𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝘆 𝗛𝗶𝘀 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗝𝗲 𝗞𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗽𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲 The six-day Kurim His Holiness the Je Khenpo presided over at the Tendrelthang in Thimphu concluded today. In the first three days, His Holiness performed rituals to avert natural disasters. This was followed by Goenpo Tshe-Pamed and Tsheku Yangku rituals for the prosperity of the country. Lamas and monks from the central monastic body performed the rituals. Thousands of devotees attended the Kurim. 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆’𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗨𝗦𝗗 𝟲𝟬𝟬 𝗠: 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 The country’s foreign currency reserve stands at around USD 600 M as of now. This, the Finance Minister says, will be sufficient for the essential imports for the next 12 months as mandated by the constitution. The minister shared this while addressing concerns during the introduction of the Annual Budget Appropriation Bill and the Supplementary Budget Bill at the National Council today. 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝗿𝗮𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗿𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 The construction of one-storied houses in rural settings will not require construction drawings, while the government will provide free drawings for rural construction of two-storied and above buildings. This comes after the National Assembly unanimously agreed to this motion made today by one of the members of parliament. The decision is aimed at empowering rural communities to build high-quality houses and reduce rural-urban migration. 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗼𝗿𝗷𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗮 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝘁 𝗗𝗿𝘂𝗯𝗿𝗶 𝗥𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗴𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗟𝗵𝗮𝗸𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴, 𝗕𝘂𝗺𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴 The Dorsem Tongku or one thousand Dorje Sempa Statues Project has been completed and is ready for installation. The project worth Nu 8 M commenced in June last year. It was initiated by the Longchenpa Center in Bumthang in collaboration with Shingkhar Dechenling Phendhay Tshogpa in Thimphu for the well-being of all sentient beings. 𝗣𝘂𝗻𝗮𝗸𝗵𝗮 𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗳𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝘂𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗮𝗱𝗱𝘆 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 People of Chhoeten Nyibu-Uesarkha Chiwog in Punakha say that the new irrigation water project for their Chiwog is not supplying the required amount of water. This is despite the irrigation pipes delivering water to their full capacity to the paddy fields. Farmers say paddy transplantation works have been delayed due to a shortage of irrigation water. 𝗕𝗵𝘂𝘁𝗮𝗻 𝗖𝗦𝗜 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 & 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘂𝗿𝘀 To further promote and develop the cottage and small industries or CSIs in the country, a group of start-ups has formed an association known as the Bhutan CSI Association. This is the first time an association has been formed in the country for the benefit of the CSI sector. The association will formally register with the Civil Society Organisations Authority next week. 𝗣𝗼𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲 𝗯𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘁𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗭𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗴-𝗚𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗽𝗵𝘂 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘄𝗮𝘆 Commuters along the Zhemgang–Gelephu highway are frustrated with the poor blacktopping works on the road. The contractor responsible for the project has been accused of compromising the quality, resulting in a road that still looks dilapidated. The Department of Surface Transport terminated the contract in April this year due to slow progress and repeated contract time extensions. 𝗔𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗼 𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗮 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗲𝗺𝗮 𝗚𝗮𝘁𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗹 Not many took interest when the avocado fruit was introduced in Pema Gatshel about a decade ago. But today, avocados have become one of the most popular cash crops in the district. Our Pema Gatshel correspondent Thinley Dorji brings this story of one of the first farmers in the district to take up avocado farming and his journey thus far.

𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘅𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗡𝗗𝗜 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗹 Continuing the deliberations on the National Digital Identity Bill of Bhutan 2023 today, National Council members raised concerns about the complexity of certain sections. The house referred these sections back to the Social and Cultural Affairs Committee to review and re-deliberate for adoption next week. 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗡𝗮𝗿𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗴, 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗵𝘂 People of Naro Gewog in Thimphu will no longer have to worry about availing themselves of basic health services. The new primary health centre that was inaugurated yesterday brings much-needed healthcare services closer to the community. In addition, an arrangement has been made to deploy a female healthcare worker once every month to the Gewog. This is expected to ease the burden on the existing lone health worker in the gewog. The new health centre will benefit nearly 200 people in the gewog. 𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗖 𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗕𝗵𝘂𝘁𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗴𝗼𝗮𝗹𝘀 The Organisation for Petroleum Exporting Countries or OPEC Fund has pledged assistance to Bhutan in achieving its sustainable development goals related to energy, climate action and non-communicable disease. This includes providing technical assistance, advisory services, and knowledge through their Climate Finance and Energy Innovation Hub. Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering attended the OPEC Fund Development Forum 2023 in Vienna, Austria, yesterday where this commitment was made. OPEC Fund is already involved in financing hydropower projects such as Gamri-1 in Trashigang and Begana hydropower project in Thimphu. According to a joint statement from the Bhutanese government and the OPEC Fund, the multilateral development finance institution has also expressed interest in supporting the Dorjilung Hydropower Project through a World Bank co-financing consortium. 𝗗𝗡𝗧 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 The Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa revealed three more candidates today. The candidates will represent the party from constituencies in Lhuentse, Samtse and Zhemgang. The party has declared nine candidates so far. 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝘀𝗼𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝘄𝗶𝗻 Bhutan’s senior men’s national basketball team is all pumped up to face Bangladesh in the finals of the Five Nation Championship tomorrow on the back of a dramatic semi-final win against Nepal last night. In an evenly contested match, Bhutan broke Nepali hearts in the dying seconds of the game when Sonam Tshering Jattu hit a 3-point buzzer-beater sealing the victory. This is the very first time Bhutan’s national basketball team reached a final of an international tournament according to Bhutan Basketball Federation. 𝗛𝗛 𝗝𝗲 𝗞𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗽𝗼 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗶 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘆 His Holiness the Je Khenpo has appointed Ugyen Dorji as the new principal of the Cheri monastery in Thimphu. The new principal received dhar from His Holiness at the Tashichoedzong today. The 55-year-old is from Khamaed Gewog in Gasa. He began his monastic education at the age of 8 from the Pungthim Dratshang. He did his masters from the Tango Shedra and served as a lecturer for the Shedra for five years. He completed his 3-year retreat at Cheri after which he served as a meditation teacher for the Dechencholing Drubdey in Wangdue Phodrang for 17 years. Before his new post, he worked as the vice president of the Tango Institute for Advanced Vajrayana Studies for three years. 𝗔𝗱𝗱𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗺𝗶𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀: 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗔𝗳𝗳𝗮𝗶𝗿𝘀 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 It has become crucial to improve opportunities and bring development to both the rural and urban areas in the country. This is according to the Home Affairs minister, who shared this during the question hour session of the national assembly yesterday. Lyonpo Ugyen Dorji said all the past developmental plans have been focused on rural places, resulting in all corners of the country being equipped with necessary facilities such as roads, hospitals and mobile networks. However, he says the youth are still not interested to stay back in the villages. Furthermore, the youth today are not interested in even the capital city and want to go abroad. This he said emphasises the need to bring development in the cities. 𝗠𝗲𝗻'𝘀 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗹𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 The men's national football team is all set to face the Maldives in the South Asian Football Federation Championship in India's Bengaluru tomorrow. The team was in Kolkata for almost a week to train and acclimatise to the Indian weather. Bhutan is placed in Group B alongside Bangladesh, Lebanon and the Maldives. Meanwhile, Kuwait, India, Nepal and Pakistan are in Group A. Lebanon and Kuwait are competing as guest teams. Matches in the group stage will be played in a single round-robin format. The top four teams from the group stage will go through to the semifinals. BBS talked with Bhutan's captain Karma Shedrup ahead of tomorrow's 8 PM encounter with the Maldives. 𝗕𝗣𝗖 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝘂𝗽𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗲-𝗽𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲-𝗽𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗲 Works are underway to enhance the power supply in the country including in the rural areas. According to the Energy and Natural Resources Minister, the Bhutan Power Corporation is upgrading the single-phase power supplies to three-phase which supplies more electricity. However, to do that he shared that all the power transformers in the country have to be replaced which the BPC is currently doing. The minister was responding to Maenbi Tsenkhar MP, Choki Gyeltshen during the NA question hour session yesterday. The minister was asked about the government’s plans on increasing power supply in villages considering the changing needs and demands of the people. 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝗲𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗴𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗔𝗳𝗳𝗮𝗶𝗿𝘀 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 The Community Engagement Platform developed by the Ministry of Home Affairs is expected to combat corruption and bring transparency in local government offices. The home affairs minister Ugyen Dorji shared this during the deliberation on the follow-up report on resolutions regarding the ACC annual report of 2021-2022. The report revealed a total of 107 recorded corruption complaints in the local government offices. Considering the high number of corruption reports, the house had recommended the ACC in the last session to strengthen and conduct more advocacy programmes for the local government leaders.

Bhutan’s men’s basketball team is into the finals of the Five Nation Championship after defeating Nepal in dramatic fashion. Bhutan’s Sonam Tshering Jattu hit a 3-point buzzer beater in the last quarter to cap off a memorable win with Nepal almost running away with a 2-point lead. The match ended 61–60 in favor of Bhutan. Bhutan will now face Bangladesh in the final. 𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐝𝐫𝐮𝐩 𝐉𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐤𝐡𝐚𝐫-𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐜𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐟𝐟 𝐚𝐭 𝐌𝐨𝐬𝐡𝐢 Due to heavy rain this morning, the road at Moshi has been completely washed away. As a result, the Samdrup Jongkhar-Trashigang Highway is now completely cut off. Moshi is located about nine kilometers away from Wamrong town, towards Samdrup Jongkhar. The road is closed to traffic and efforts to clear the road will resume tomorrow. 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿?: 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗹𝘆 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗻𝗼𝗻-𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲-𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗲𝘀 The National Assembly today held a thorough deliberation on whether to retrench or give for private sector takeover of the underperforming state-owned enterprises. The Economic and Finance Committee revealed that out of the 13 State-Owned Enterprises, ten have experienced substantial losses. 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗺 𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗲𝗱 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗣𝗠𝗦 𝗮𝘁 𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 At the Question Hour session today, issues were raised about people still having to use the Check Post Management System (CPMS) at the border gates while entering and exiting the country. To this, the Home Affairs Minister said the CPMS will remain a necessity at the borders due to its crucial role in upholding national security. 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗼𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝘀𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝘁 Increasing the export of ferrosilicon is one of several strategies the government is looking at to offset the country’s negative balance of trade. This was shared by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade at the National Assembly question hour session today. The minister was questioned on the government’s plans and strategies regarding the growing trade deficit. A trade deficit occurs when the value of a country’s imports exceeds the value of its exports. 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗵𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝟱𝟬 𝗽𝗼𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝗵𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺𝘀, 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 The National Mushroom Centre has confirmed 50 mushrooms in the country to be poisonous, while thousands more are being studied for identification. And with mushroom foraging season just around the corner, the centre is cautioning people to avoid the consumption of unidentified mushrooms. Currently, the centre has sent around 5,000 mushroom samples to Japan and Europe for identification. 𝗥𝗡𝗥 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗮𝗶𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗱 𝗮𝘁 𝗚𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗽𝗵𝘂 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝘆 Addressing the challenge of finding markets for local products, relevant stakeholders are taking different initiatives. In Gelephu, a day-long RNR products fair was held during the weekend. It was to promote and showcase products derived from locally available resources, benefiting both producers and consumers while boosting the local economy. 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐩𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐢 𝐯𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐠𝐞, 𝐧𝐨 𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐝 Two-storied traditional house has collapsed in Shumar Gewog’s Shali village in Pema Gatshel. The incident happened this morning at around 8 AM. The houses were occupied by a family consisting of four members. Officials from the Royal Insurance Corporation of Bhutan, District Disaster Office, and the Gewog Administration assessed the extent of the damages. The district disaster office provided tarpaulin to the affected family for temporary shelter. No casualties have been reported so far. The exact cause of the incident has not yet been confirmed. RCSC to introduce the provision of Annual Leave, alongside existing leave options from the 1st of next month. This is to promote periodic rejuvenation and work-life balance for civil servants. “As per sections 24 and 26 of the Pay Structure Reform Act of Bhutan 2022, the earned leave and LTC will be prorated per month and included as a part of the Monthly Variable Compensation (MVC) under the Variable Pay w.e.f 1st July 2023. The Annual Leave is not a replacement of Earned Leave.” 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝘁𝘆: 𝗠𝗼𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 The National Digital Identity system will ensure digital inclusion, accessibility and equity for persons with disabilities in availing themselves of the service. The Minister for Industry, Commerce and Employment, Karma Dorji who is also the member-in-charge of the National Digital Identity Bill 2023 shared some of the alternatives that have been prepared to address the concern. National Council members shared accessibility concerns about the system for persons with disabilities during the introduction of the Bill today. Bhutan National Digital Identity uses cutting-edge technology to provide citizens with secure and verifiable identity credentials, ensuring the privacy and protection of personal information.

Weather and flood advisory Cloudy weather with light rain is expected over the northern and western parts of the country with moderate to heavy rainfall over the central, southern and eastern parts of the country during the next three days. Rainfall is expected to continue in the following days. There is a possibility of landslides and flash flood over the isolated places of the country. On June 16, 2023, the RBP Thimphu apprehended a 28-year-old man from upper Mothithang who was found in possession of 587 capsules of Spasmoproxyvon-Plus (SP+), which contains Tramadol. Tramadol is a controlled drug listed in the NDPSSA (Amendment) Act of Bhutan 2018. Through intensive follow-up, the RBP also apprehended his supplier, a 32-year-old man (the other drug distributor), on June 17, 2023, in Thimphu. The supplier was found with 2093 capsules of Spasmoproxyvon-Plus (SP+). He had been charge-sheeted in November 2022 in an ITNDPS case, which is currently under trial with the RCJ Thimphu from where he availed bail. In this case, 2670 capsules of Spasmoproxyvon-Plus (SP+) were seized from these two individuals. The RBP seeks continued support from the public to combat the drug menace and create a safe and healthy environment, especially for our vulnerable youth. 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗲𝗴𝗴 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 The country is currently facing an egg shortage leading to soaring prices. Owing to the shortage, a tray of eggs costs as high as Nu 490 in the capital. A few weeks earlier, a tray of eggs costs between Nu 350 to 380. Moreover, some residents said it is not easily available. 𝗧𝘄𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗟𝗵𝘂𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀𝗲’𝘀 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗷𝗲𝘆 𝗚𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗴 The Lhuentse District Administration and the District Level Technical Committee terminated the contract works of two contractors in Minjey Gewog. The contracts were terminated last month for repeated delays in completing the drainage works along the Minjey Gewog Centre road and for failing to start wall construction works at the Amdrangchhu bridge. The cases have been registered with the Bhutan Alternative Dispute Resolution Centre. 𝗟𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝘁-𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗯𝗼𝘅𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗧𝗩 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 Many cable TV subscribers in the country are expressing frustrations about having to purchase new set-top boxes every time they switch cable services, resulting in unnecessary expenses. However, according to the Bhutan InfoComm and Media Authority (BICMA) cable TV subscribers are unaware of the availability and benefits of interoperable set-top boxes. Interoperable set-top boxes allow customers to use their existing set-top boxes when switching television cable services. BICMA issued a notification emphasising the interoperability feature last November. 𝗖𝗢𝗩𝗜𝗗-𝟭𝟵 𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿 Despite the high attrition of teachers and lack of an education policy amongst a myriad of shortcomings in the education sector, educationists say that the COVID-19 pandemic has propelled the country’s education system into the future by two decades in terms of technology use. This is according to participants of a recent education seminar in Paro. They said in just a few months, the pandemic brought about years of change in the use of technology like online learning, Google Classroom and television to continue education remotely. 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗞𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗰𝗵𝗵𝘂 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘀𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗟𝗼𝗸𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗮 The Druk Green Power Corporation is in the process of securing financial support of around Nu 55bn from India for Kholongchhu hydropower project. This was said by the energy and natural resources minister during the National Council Question Hour session on Friday. The DGPC is the 100 per cent shareholder of the Kholongchu hydropower project. 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝘂𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗶 𝗬𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘁𝘀𝗲 Since the construction of irrigation water project by the Desuups last year, farmers in the two chiwogs of Pang-Lhauzhing and Maenchhu-Tsangdung in Trashi Yangtse’s Tongmajangsa Gewog have started reaping benefits from the project. The project helps water almost 200 acres of paddy field belonging to 90 households in the two chiwogs. 𝗩𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗸 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘄𝗼𝗼𝗹-𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲 The wool-processing machines in Merak in Trashigang have changed the way the people of Merak make wool yarns. However, due to frequent breakdowns of the carding machine, villagers are concerned that they may have to resort to the traditional method of using handmade brushes and spindles to make yarns. Carding is crucial for ensuring that all wool fibers are untangled and aligned in one direction, which makes for smooth spinning. Bhutan to face Nepal in semi-finals of Five Nation Championship Bhutan’s senior men’s basketball team is readying to face Nepal in the semi-finals of the Five Nation Championship tomorrow. Wins against Nepal and the Maldives sealed Bhutan’s spot in the semi-finals. Bhutan’s captain Rinchen Dorji said the team is confident and motivated going into the match against Nepal which has topped the league round. The other semi-final will be played between Bangladesh and Pakistan.

𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗰𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗹 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 In the National Assembly, today, the Prime Minister said that to retain civil servants, the government is looking into the possibility of providing a retirement home package to retired civil servants, reviewing the national pension fund policies, and providing more employment opportunities in the teaching and health sectors. The prime minister was responding to a question from the Monggar MP, Karma Lhamo, about the government’s plans to address civil servant attrition. 𝗣𝗠 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗲𝘀’ 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗶𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗥𝗖𝗦𝗖’𝘀 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲 Prime Minister, Dr Lotay Tshering, addressed the issue of regularising consolidated contract employees during the Question Hour in the National Assembly session today. While the final decision lies with the Royal Civil Service Commission, the Prime Minister supported the RCSC’s decision to allow those willing to appear in the Bhutan Civil Service Examination multiple times including contract employees, which aids in their regularisation process. 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗴𝗮𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗮𝗺𝘁𝘀𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗱𝗲: 𝗠𝗼𝗜𝗧 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 The Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Dorji Tshering, indicated that Monggar and Samtse are likely to be established as the next two thromdes based on their ongoing developmental activities and land areas. The minister said this in response to a question from the Chhumig-Ura Member of Parliament, Karma Wangchuk, regarding the government’s plan to establish thromdes before their term ends. 𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘁 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗴𝗼 𝗯𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗰𝘁: 𝗣𝗠 The prime minister says that the government cannot extend the postal ballot facility during elections to people other than the ones prescribed in the Election Act. The prime minister was responding to the Jomotsangkha-Martshala MP, Norbu Wangzom, in the question hour session today about the need for the postal ballot and facilitation booths. According to the Jomotsangkha-Martshala MP, people employed in the private sector and those living overseas were dissatisfied since they were not able to participate in the recent National Council Elections. 𝗡𝗔 𝗮𝗱𝗼𝗽𝘁𝘀 𝗕𝗜𝗠𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗖 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗿 The National Assembly unanimously adopted The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation, BIMSTEC, Charter. All 44 members present in the house voted in favour of the Charter. The Foreign Affairs and External Affairs Minister, Dr Tandi Dorji, said that with the ratification of the Charter, efficient economic cooperation among the member states can be achieved. The agreement will now be forwarded to the National Council for deliberation. 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗼 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗱 With the National Assembly elections not far away, herders of Merak and Sakteng Gewogs in Trashigang are finding different ways to stay informed about political candidates to help exercise their democratic rights. Despite their nomadic lifestyle and geographical and connectivity challenges, most of them rely on social media platforms and BBS FM radio. The construction of a new bailey bridge over Gongrichhu along the Nganglam-Gyalpozhing highway was completed today. It will be opened to traffic this evening. The new bailey bridge has a load capacity of 35 metric tons. The old bridge collapsed last month due to overloading and speeding of a dumper truck ferrying soil. His Holiness the Je Khenpo will preside over a three-day prayer ceremony at the Tendrelthang in Trashichhoedzong starting Saturday to pacify the risk of natural disasters. The prayer ceremony will be conducted by the monks of the Central Monastic Body. Similarly, His Holiness will also preside over a Goenpo Tshe-pami ritual, which includes Tshe-khu Gaypa and Yangku prayers, for the country’s economic prosperity from 20th to 22nd of June at the Tendrelthang in Thimphu. 𝐌𝐨𝐞𝐧𝐥𝐚𝐦 𝐂𝐡𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐦𝐨 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐙𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐠 Yonten Lopen of the Central Monastic Body is presiding over the 11th annual Zhemgang Meonlam Chhenmo. The prayer ceremony began today. Hundreds of devotees from in and around the district are attending the three-day prayer ceremony. 𝗡𝗔 𝗮𝗱𝗼𝗽𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰-𝗶𝗻-𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗕𝗵𝘂𝘁𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗮𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗵 The National Assembly unanimously adopted the agreement on the movement of traffic-in-transit between the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and the Royal Government of Bhutan today. Among the 44 members present during the session, all were in favour of the agreement. Although a few members expressed their concerns regarding the challenges after its implementation, the agreement remained mostly unchanged. The agreement will now be forwarded to the National Council for deliberation.

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗻𝘀 𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗕𝗵𝘂𝘁𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗮𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗵 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗹𝘆 Can the agreement on the movement of Traffic-in-Transit between Bhutan and Bangladesh weigh heavy on the country’s environment, culture and society in future? This was one of the concerns shared by some members of the national assembly during the deliberations on the agreement in the house today. The transit agreement aims to establish a comprehensive framework to enhance connectivity between Bangladesh and Bhutan through various modes of transportation such as road, rail, air, river and coastal waterways. 𝗗𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗰𝗵𝗵𝘂 𝗚𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗴 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 The 18-kilometre Dangchhu Gewog Centre road in Wangdue Phodrang is in bad condition. The road is riddled with potholes and the blacktop has also worn off. Residents attribute this to an increasing number of visitors to a hot stone bath in Dangchu and heavy vehicles ferrying wooden logs. The road was constructed in 2008. 𝗪𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗚𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗽𝗵𝘂 𝗚𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗴’𝘀 𝘄𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲 𝗶𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲 The increasing population in Gelephu Gewog in Sarpang has led to growing waste issues in the locality. In the absence of a proper dumping site, residents have resorted to disposing of waste in open areas. However, there is good news as the Sarpang district administration will be providing a garbage collection vehicle to collect waste starting this week. 𝗯𝘁𝗡𝗢𝗚 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝘃𝘂𝗹𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗼𝗳𝘁𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲 If you are using a cracked version or pirated software, you could either get your data destroyed or lose your confidential data to unauthorised individuals. Records maintained with the Government Technology Agency or GovTech Agency show that there are at least three cases of ransomware attacks on agencies and a few cases at the individual level annually. To educate about such threats, IT personnel from different agencies including schools took part in the 10th annual Bhutan Network Operators Group or btNOG conference conducted in Paro on Friday. The Senior Men's National Basketball Team left the country today to take part in the Five Nation Championship 2023 held in the Maldives. The tournament will begin on Wednesday. Bhutan will play alongside Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and the Maldives. It will end next Thursday. Yesterday, the Integrated Check Post (ICP) duties at the entry point (Main Gate) Phuentshogling intercepted a vehicle ferrying a huge quantity of Spasmo Proxyvon, N10 and ONEREX (Syrup). The illicit drugs were found concealed underneath the back seat of the vehicle. 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐛𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐨𝐨 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐡𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐧: 𝐘𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐚 𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐚, 𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐚𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐦𝐨 𝐘𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐤𝐚-𝐃𝐞𝐰 A team of researchers, including bamboo expert Sangay Dorji, conducted a study in Wangdue Phodrang and recently confirmed the discovery of a bamboo species new to science named Yushania sagittifera. The bamboo, commonly known as Damo Yangka-Dew or Dew Yangka, is highly valued for arrow making and holds cultural significance in Bhutan. The research article was published in the Journal of American Bamboo Society. The herbarium specimens of the species are deposited at the National Herbarium and live plant is planted at the Royal Botanical Garden Serbithang under the National Biodiversity Centre. Two other Yushania species were also renamed, bringing the total number of Yushania species in Bhutan to seven. The researchers believe that more bamboo species remain to be explored and studied in the country. The study was supported by the National Biodiversity Centre and received assistance from various organizations and individuals. 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐋𝐡𝐚𝐤𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐊𝐚𝐫𝐩 𝐢𝐧 𝐇𝐚𝐚 A forest fire that had been almost contained after starting above Lhakhang Karp in Haa on Thursday is ablaze again. Today, due to intense sunshine and strong winds, the fire, which was not completely contained earlier due to rugged terrain, has resurfaced. Around 60 volunteers, firefighters and officials are combating the fire. According to sources, there is minimal risk of the fire spreading to new areas, settlements and religious sites at the moment. No casualties have been reported. BNB partners with T Bank as an official visa associate To offer access to Visa’s payment solutions, Bhutan National Bank (BNB) and Tashi Bank (T Bank) announced their partnership as an official Visa associate on June 9. This collaboration is aimed to enable customers to make their transactions secure and convenient. A press release from BNB stated that this collaboration was a milestone in broadening the reach of Visa’s payment solutions and delivering improved financial services to customers. “Through this partnership, T Bank will have access to various Visa payment solutions, thereby offering its customers more convenient and flexible financial transactions.” Sonam Tobgay, Chief Executive Officer of BNB said that the partnership underlines the bank’s dedication to staying at the forefront of the industry by providing customers with the most innovative and secure financial solutions available. “We are keen to further support Bhutanese community” Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Western Australia Michelle Hopkins Roberts, who visited Bhutan last week, talks with Kuensel’s Choki Wangmo on the Australia-Bhutan relationship and future collaborations. Excerpts. Our purpose here is to build on our partnership between Western Australia (WA) and Bhutan. It is a partnership that goes back very many years. Since the 1960s, Bhutanese people have been studying in WA. In fact, WA is home to more Bhutanese people than anywhere else on earth, more than any other state in Australia or any other country. So, it is a strong partnership we have and it is the partnership post-Covid we want to build on and strengthen. We see lots of opportunities of working together for the benefit of WA, but more importantly for the benefit of Bhutan and Bhutanese. Plastic waste management: Striving for change amidst challenges Karma Gyelpo, a 53-year-old regular customer at Centenary Farmers’ Market (CFM), stands out among the crowd as one of the few individuals who brings his own jute bag—a reusable and eco-friendly alternative to plastic. Vendors at CFM command Gyelpo for his conscious choice, recognising that he represents a minority in a country that has struggled to fully champion the ban on plastic bags, which was implemented on April 20, 1999. Despite the national headlines generated by the ban over two decades ago, Bhutan has yet to achieve the desired level of success in eradicating plastic from its ecosystem. The lingering question remains: is it impossible or merely a reluctance to take a more decisive stance? The discussions surrounding the need to outlaw the use or sale of plastic carry bags, wrappers, and homemade ice cream pouches persist. Karma Gyelpo believes that Bhutan, as an emerging economy, can learn lessons from countries where plastic consumption is kept to a minimum.

𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘄𝗶𝗻 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗵𝘂𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗳𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗲𝘀 The country is experiencing a concerning investment scheme that has captured the attention of Bhutanese citizens, particularly those in rural areas. The Tallwin Life Plan Scheme, operating through social media platforms like Telegram and WeChat, has been luring illiterate individuals with promises of high returns in a short span of time. Some are even promised investments in cryptocurrency. The Royal Monetary Authority has called the Tallwin Life Plan a Ponzi scheme and is refraining people from participating in and propagating the scheme. 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘄𝗶𝗻 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗵𝘂𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗳𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗲𝘀 The country is experiencing a concerning investment scheme that has captured the attention of Bhutanese citizens, particularly those in rural areas. The Tallwin Life Plan Scheme, operating through social media platforms like Telegram and WeChat, has been luring illiterate individuals with promises of high returns in a short span of time. Some are even promised investments in cryptocurrency. The Royal Monetary Authority has called the Tallwin Life Plan a Ponzi scheme and is refraining people from participating in and propagating the scheme. 𝗣𝗮𝗸𝗵𝗮𝗱𝘂𝗿𝗮 𝗟𝗮𝗸𝗲’𝘀 𝗲𝗰𝗼-𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗲𝗰𝗼𝘁𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗮𝗺𝘁𝘀𝗲 In Samtse, the Pakhadura Lake in Sang-Ngag-Chhoeling Gewog, is set to become a destination for nature lovers and families seeking a getaway. The ongoing efforts to transform the lake into a recreational park are nearing completion. The recreational park is expected to promote ecotourism and enhance local economic activities. 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗽𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲 𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 Nestled at the base of the mystical Black Mountain forest in Trongsa, the Monpa community in Jangbi, Wangling, and Phumzor villages of Langthil Gewog has embarked on an 18-month-long research project. For the first time ever, they will conduct research about their community through the project. With a deep connection to their land and ancestral wisdom, the Monpas aim to preserve their rich culture, language, and environment. 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 "The monsoon arrived in the country on 10th June. The onset was delayed by a few days from the normal onset of the southwest monsoon on 5th June for Bhutan." BTP announces two more candidates Bhutan Tendrel Party (BTP) announced three candidates from Gasa and Trashiyangtse to contest the upcoming parliamentary elections last week. Dhendup, 31-year-old is its candidate from Khamaed-Lunana constituency in Gasa. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and Environmental Studies from the Royal Thimphu College. A social worker and private businessman, Dhendup believes in the holistic development of Bhutan’s highland community. He also worked in the tourism sector. DTT’s Panbang candidate Druk Thuendrel Tshogpa (DTT) introduced Karma Dema as its candidate from Zhemgang in Trashigang yesterday. The 31-year-old from Ngangla is the candidate for Panbang Constituency in Zhemgang. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Language and Literature from the College of Language and Culture Studies, Trongsa. Bangladesh designates 15 entry–exit points to Bhutan Bhutan has been granted access to 15 entry and exit points in Bangladesh for the transit of goods, following the signing of an “agreement on the movement of traffic-in-transit” between the two countries in March of this year. Poor ECCD centre, grateful parents and happy children Despite its delayed opening (by two years) for lack of facilitators, parents who send their children to the government Early Child Care Development centre ( ECCD) at Babesa count it as a blessing. The ECCD centre for low-income group families has 52 children aged four to six years.

𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰-𝗶𝗻-𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗮𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗕𝗵𝘂𝘁𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝘁 𝗡𝗔 The Minister for Industry, Commerce and Employment introduced the agreement on the movement of Traffic-in-Transit between the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and the Royal Government of Bhutan yesterday. The transit agreement aims to enhance connectivity between Bangladesh and Bhutan through various modes of transportation such as road, rail, air, river, and coastal waterways. 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝘁 𝗡𝗔 After over a decade of keeping it on hold, the National Assembly yesterday, unanimously decided to deliberate on the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Bhutan signed the convention in September 2010. The minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Dr Tandi Dorji, introduced the Convention on The Rights of Persons Living with Disabilities to the National Assembly yesterday. 𝗕𝗜𝗠𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗖 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝘁 𝗡𝗔 The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation, BIMSTEC, Charter was introduced for ratification in the National Assembly yesterday. Introducing the charter to the House, the foreign affairs and external trade minister said that the charter will strengthen the country’s social, economic, cultural, environmental, and political state. The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation was established in 1997 and is represented by the Heads of States of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. 𝗛𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝗮𝗷𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗠𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗼𝗿𝗷𝗶 𝗪𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗺𝗼 𝗪𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗰𝗵𝘂𝗰𝗸 𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘂𝗴𝘂𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗕𝗵𝘂𝘁𝗮𝗻 𝗧𝗦𝗛𝗔𝗥 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗼𝗼 𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗻𝘀 Her Majesty the Queen Mother, Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, virtually inaugurated Bhutan TSHAR Institute in Monggar’s Kalapang Gewog today. The Tarayana Foundation established the institute as part of the project “Promoting Integrated Bamboo-Based Enterprises Development among SAARC Countries”. The institute, funded by the SAARC Development Fund aims to provide livelihood opportunities for bamboo artisans, farmers, youth, and rural communities in the country. 𝗚𝘆𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗲𝘆 𝗗𝘂𝗺𝗿𝗮 𝗮𝗱𝗱𝘀 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗺 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘄𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗱𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗭𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗻 After the inauguration of the Gyalsey Dumra, a recreational park earlier this month, the otherwise dull Zhemgang town is brimming with life. The Gyalsey Dumra located in the centre of the town has flowers, plants and other amenities spread over an acre of land. The Zhemgang district has been doing beautification works since 2020. The park has now become a place of recreation for Zhemgang residents. 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗱𝗿𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗗𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗰𝗵𝗵𝘂𝗸𝗵𝗮 – 𝗣𝘂𝗻𝗮𝗸𝗵𝗮 A Flower Group of Punakha’s Goenshari Gewog has faced a significant challenge in drying and processing flower and other raw materials due to the lack of a proper drying facility in the community. However, this problem is expected to be resolved as the flower group recently acquired a new drying processing unit. 𝑼𝒑𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑴𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚 𝑫𝒓𝒖𝒈 𝑻𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝑹𝒆𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕 Since May 29, 2023, The Royal Bhutan Police, in collaboration with Bhutan Construction and Transport Authority started administering mandatory drug tests on Professional Driving License (PDL) holders. As of June 9, 2023, a total of 1,914 PDL holders have undergone drug testing. Out of this group, 12 individuals, all of whom are cabbies, have tested positive for drugs. Among the 12 who tested positive, 6 have been referred to the JDWNRH, 2 to Phuntsholing Hospital, 1 to the Central Regional Referral Hospital in Gelephu, and 1 to the Bajo Drop-In Centre. Out of the 12 individuals who tested positive, 10 have been recommended to seek outpatient services, while the remaining cases may require further assessment or treatment. 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗻’𝘀 𝗷𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗸𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 Twenty-two-year-old Passang Tobgay from Sarpang has managed to achieve remarkable success in martial arts despite the challenges he faces. Juggling an eight-hour job in the Royal Bhutan Police, his passion and perseverance have led him to win both a gold and a silver medal within a span of just eleven months . The first-ever shipment of boulders from Lhamoi Dzingkha Dungkhag has embarked on its journey to Bangladesh via India. Eight truckloads of boulders were dispatched today. This development comes after a new trade route was opened in December last year. The Dungkhag currently operates four dredging sites, with two yet to start stocking up boulders. The dredging sites were formally established in February earlier this year. 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝗕𝗵𝘂𝘁𝗮𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝘁 𝗡𝗔 The National Digital Identity Bill of Bhutan 2023 was introduced in the National Assembly today. The Industry, Commerce and Employment Minister Karma Dorji who is the Member In-charge of the Bill said the bill is the first of its kind in the world and shared the importance of having a legal framework to back the initiative.

𝗪𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘁 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝗻𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗕𝗵𝘂𝘁𝗮𝗻 Western Australia is exploring opportunities to strengthen the educational ties between Bhutan and the state. The Speaker of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly and the delegates who are in the country said the Western Australian Premier’s University Scholarship Programme will be extended to Bhutanese from next year. The Western Australian government announced the scholarship programme last year and it is provided to ten postgraduate international students to study in five universities in the state. The forest fire in Haa above the Lhakhang Karp which broke out yesterday is almost contained. Due to rugged terrain, some of the pockets that are inaccessible are still burning. However, officials said the risk of the fire spreading towards settlements and Lhakhangs located atop the ridge is stabilized. Today, over 300 volunteers helped in combating the fire. There are no reports of any casualties. However, the fire destroyed over 61 acres of the forests. Forestry officials and volunteers will continue the firefighting efforts tomorrow. 𝗗𝗿𝘆 𝘄𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝘀𝗶𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴 With no or little spring showers, the monsoon season is already upon us but without much rain. An untimely rainfall hurts some people more than others. Farmers, especially, are at the receiving end of it, some having to uproot and discard their crops as immature as in Phuentshogling and Tsirang. In desperation, others had to appease deities for rainfall. 𝐏𝐚𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐥 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 The Commission proposes an upward revision of 50 per cent of the minimum pay scale across all position levels in the civil service. Factoring in the effect of both the pay revisions, since it is expected that the outcome of the Sixth Pay Commission will also come into implementation from July 2023, the increase in the overall pay package will range from 55 per cent for staff at the higher level to 74 per cent for staff at a lower level. A forest fire that initially broke out near Benshingmo village of Udzorong Gewog in Trashigang on Monday evening has now been contained. Thanks to the timely rainfall that led to the successful containment of the fire last night. The fire caused significant damage, burning more than 550 acres of Chir pine forest. The cause of the fire has yet to be ascertained. 𝗗𝗧𝗧 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲 The Druk Thuendrel Tshogpa declared one more candidate in Trashigang today. 31-year-old Karma Dema is the party’s candidate for the Panbang constituency in Zhemgang. Karma Dema graduated from the College of Language and Culture Studies in Trongsa with a Bachelor of Arts in Language and Literature. Before joining politics, she operated an online business in her village. The Druk Thuendrel Party has declared 39 candidates so far. 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗯𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗲 The Lhamoi Dzingkha Dungkhag court in Dagana has sentenced a 30-year-old male teacher from Lhamoi Dzingkha Middle Secondary School to three months in prison for a child battery case. The judgment was passed yesterday. According to the judgment, the teacher was found guilty of beating 14 class II students when they were found shouting during class hours on 1st May. The father of one of the students reported the incident to the Lhamoi Dzingkha police in the evening. In a phone interview with BBS, the father said that he reported the incident because his son sustained severe bruises on both thighs. The teacher can pay Thrimthue in lieu of imprisonment. Currently, he does not plan to appeal to higher courts. 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐲𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐋𝐚𝐲𝐚 𝐆𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐠, 𝐆𝐚𝐬𝐚 More than 280 individuals from Laya Gewog in Gasa have departed for cordyceps collection this year. On the 23rd of last month, the gewog administration issued permits to 282 people, which is fewer than the previous year's count. According to Laya Gup Tshewang, more than 400 permits were issued last year. The gup added that people opted out of collection due to a poor yield this year. On the 1st of next month, cordyceps collectors will be required to return their permits. The collection period for cordyceps spans one month, during which people gather them from the Jakabu, Wakeyla, Tsharijatsha, and Ridruzhi areas. However, the residents of Lunana have not yet commenced cordyceps collection due to snow-covered mountains. The gewog administration will begin issuing permits for Lunana from Thursday next week. Fiscal Budget 2023-2024 In the morning session of the National Assembly today, the finance minister Namgay Tshering, will introduce the Budget Appropriation Bill for the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 and the Supplementary Budget Appropriation Bill for the Fiscal Year 2022- 2023. The finance minister will also report on the budget of the previous fiscal. The members of the National Assembly will also adopt the two bills during the same session.

𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗶𝘁 𝗞𝘂𝗿𝗶-𝗚𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗶 𝗯𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗲𝘆 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 It could take some more time before the Kuri-Gongri confluence Bailey bridge along the Nganglam-Gyalpozhing highway is relaunched. However, this time the bridge’s load-bearing capacity will be enhanced. Commuters are desperately waiting for the completion of the work. The Bailey bridge collapsed 16 days ago along with a ten-wheeler dumper truck. 𝗛𝗶𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝗷𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 His Majesty The King graced the opening ceremony of the ninth session of the third parliament this morning. Members of the Royal family, senior government officials, and other dignitaries attended the opening ceremony. The ceremony was also attended by the Speaker of the Western Australia Legislative Assembly and her delegation. 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗦𝗗𝗙 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗶𝗻 𝗛𝗮𝗮 The government’s announcement of the new Sustainable Development Fee incentives has brought hope to those in the tourism business in Haa. They say the incentives will encourage tourists to stay longer in the country, leading them to explore other parts of the country beyond the usual tourist spots. The new SDF fee incentives provide tourists with extra days with SDF waive-offs under three conditions. 𝗝𝗶𝗴𝗺𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵 Jigmeling Industrial Park in Sarpang is finally expected to receive a reliable water supply by the end of this month. The industrial park has been without one since the water supply project which was supposed to complete last year, got delayed due to the COVID pandemic. Today, there are two factories operating at the industrial park. 𝗕𝗢𝗖 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗕𝗵𝘂𝘁𝗮𝗻’𝘀 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲𝘀 To promote sports and also to help retain potential athletes, the Bhutan Olympic Committee has decided to increase allowances and benefits for national athletes in six sports. The six prioritised games are athletics, archery, boxing, judo, football, and taekwondo. The revised entitlement guidelines for athletes were approved during the general assembly of the BOC held last week. 𝗕𝗵𝘂𝘁𝗮𝗻’𝘀 𝗺𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘆 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗽𝗹𝘆 The percentage of Bhutanese living in multidimensional poverty reduced from 5.8 per cent in 2017 to 2.1 per cent last year. Multidimensional poverty assesses if a person is deprived of health, education, and certain living standards. The report published by the National Statistics Bureau, last month, shows that improvements in access to cooking fuel and schooling, and a reduction in child mortality as the reasons for the drop in multidimensional poverty. 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐘𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐩𝐡𝐮𝐩𝐚𝐦 𝐯𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐠𝐞 A forest fire that initially broke out near Benshingmo village of Udzorong Gewog in Trashigang on Tuesday evening, has now spread to Younphupam village in Kanglung Gewog. Due to the rugged terrain, firefighters including forestry officials, DeSuups and volunteers have been unable to bring the fire under control. They are now focusing on saving lives and properties. The fire has damaged more than 300 acres of Chir pine forest. But no casualties have been reported so far. 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐬 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐋𝐡𝐚𝐤𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐊𝐚𝐫𝐩 𝐢𝐧 𝐇𝐚𝐚 The forest above Lhakhang Karp in Haa caught fire at around 10:00 this morning. According to sources, the fire is believed to have started during a ritual when pine leaves (sang) were being burned in the area. More than two hundred officials are engaged in combating the fire. However, due to the rugged terrain, strong winds and dense pine vegetation, officials said it will not be possible to contain the fire today. There are no reports of casualties or loss of properties as of now. 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗸𝘀 𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝗼𝗻𝗴𝘁𝘀𝗵𝗼-𝗬𝗼𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗴- 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗵𝘂 Residents living on the outskirts of Thimphu City such as in Chamgang, Hongtsho and Yoeselpang are calling for the Royal Bhutan Police to establish community police stations in their gewogs. They say crimes such as robbery, vandalism and brawls are on the rise in recent years with an increasing population. Local leaders from Dagala and Chang Gewogs raised the concern in the recently concluded Thimphu Dzongkhag Tshogdu.

The National council will begin its 31st session tomorrow. The House of Review will deliberate on disputed clauses in the Forest and Nature Conservation Bill of Bhutan 2021 and Civil Liability Bill of Bhutan 2022. Similarly, the house will also deliberate on the Annual Budget Appropriation Bill for fiscal year 2023 to 2024 and Supplementary Budget Appropriation Bill for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. The month-long Parliament session will also introduce the Pay Revision Bill of Bhutan 2023. According to the deputy chairperson of the National Council, the house will also introduce and deliberate on the National Digital Identity Bill of Bhutan 2023 as an urgent bill. 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐠𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐭 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐓𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐬𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐩𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐟𝐭 The Wamrong Dungkhag Court in Trashigang sentenced Tshering Dorji, a student of Tashitse Higher Secondary School to almost three years in prison for burglary in connection with the missing answer scripts case. The judgment was passed today. The convict is 21 years old. He has to pay more than Nu 500,000 as restitution and compensation. The case came into the limelight after the Bhutan Council for School Examinations and Assessment discovered that the answer scripts of 40 students of Tashitse Higher Secondary School were missing on the January 13 this year during the paper evaluation. Following the incident, the police investigated the case and detained the convict in February. According to the judgement, the police found pictures of the physics answer script in his mobile phone and ashes of the answer script at the site where he burnt the papers. The convict also confessed to the police and the court. However, Tshering Dorji can pay in-lieu of imprisonment. The court also ordered Tshering Dorji to restitute Nu 220,418 to the government for expenses incurred during the re-examination. The judgment further stated that the convict has to pay Nu 40,000 to the Wamrong Dungkhag who arranged lodging and transportation for the students and teachers during the re-examination. Additionally, the convict has to pay Nu 111,553 to students as restitution for the expenditure incurred during the re-examination and compensation of Nu 3,750 to each student for the trauma and stress experienced due to the re-examination. He has to pay the amount within three months from the date of the judgement. Eight Bhutanese archers competing in the 2023 Asia Cup Stage 3 in Singapore have all been knocked out in the individual elimination round played today. The archers entered the elimination round after qualifying through the ranking round. The archers are competing in recurve and compound bow categories. They will now compete in the recurve mixed team and compound team category, which begins from tomorrow. There are four male archers in the compound category and two female and two male archers in the recurve category. The 2023 Asia Cup Stage 3 began on the 5th of June and will end on Saturday. Foresters, DeSuups, police and locals are still battling the fire, which started on Monday night at Benshingmo village in Trashigang's Udzorong Gewog. The fire has damaged hundreds of acres of chirpine forest, so far. Firefighters almost contained the fire this afternoon before a strong wind. Continuous strong winds and rugged terrain are hampering the firefighting efforts. So far, no casualties have been reported and firefighters are prioritizing lives and public property. The cause of the fire has yet to be ascertained. His Majesty The King arrived back in Bhutan this morning, following a Royal Visit to the State of Qatar and the United Arab Emirates last week. His Majesty The King visited Qatar from 30th May to 1st June, and the United Arab Emirates from 1st to 3rd June. While in Qatar, His Majesty met with the Deputy Amir of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani, as well as members of the Qatar Royal Family, and senior leaders of the government and business community. His Majesty also granted Audience to over 800 Bhutanese in Doha, the capital of Qatar. In the UAE, His Majesty The King met with the The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, as well as members of the Royal Families, and senior government and business leaders. His Majesty also met over 600 Bhutanese who are in the UAE, in Dubai. The historic Drukgyel Dzong in Paro, Bhutan, has been lovingly restored to its former grandeur, commemorating the birth of His Royal Highness the Gyalsey, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, and Guru Rinpoche. The project was allocated a budget of Nu 500 million and progressed in seven phases, with 99 percent of the work completed. Bhutan recorded 27 white-bellied herons (WBH) this year, four more than last year. WBH is a critically endangered species found only in the Himalayan region and is a top predator in the aquatic ecosystem. The highest number was found in Punatsangchhu, followed by Mangdechhu and Wangchhu. Residents in Punakha can walk in casual dress on the bazam over Mochhu, but must be in formal dress to enter the dzong compound. The Dzongkhag Tshogdu's second Local Government leaders' decision requiring people to wear formal attire when crossing the Bazam was never implemented. Authorities must consider the welfare and problems of those using the bridge. The Department of Surface Transport inaugurated two newly-constructed bridges in Khasadrapchu and Begana with a load capacity of 70MT, replacing nine old Bailey bridges on the national highways. The Khasadrapchu bridge was built at a cost of Nu 31.447 million and the Begana bridge cost Nu 33.370 million.