“Faster and friendlier”
Kuensel, 1 February 2010
home 1 February, 2010 - Obtaining a security clearance certificate (SCC) within
24 hours or sooner will soon become possible when the procedure goes online
next month, according to the home ministry. SCC, essentially a criminal record
check, is required when applying for citizenship, employment, various licenses,
higher education, promotions and travel documents.Introduced in the 1970s as
the no objection certificate (NOC), the process has remained a manual and
lengthy affair for applicants. Recognising the inefficiency of the process, the
government issued an executive order in March last year to update the system.
http://www.kuenselonline.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=14624
RAA’s explosive report
Kuensel, 2 February 2010
2 February, 2010 - A royal audit authority (RAA) report found large quantities of
explosive materials missing and not accounted for, as per the records of the main
‘mother magazine depot’ in Tsimasham, and also with end users like mining
companies, dzongkhags, construction companies and the department of roads.
(see box).“The study was done by RAA on the request of the home ministry for
the safety and security of the nation and to take measures based on the report,”
said home minister Lyonpo Minjur Dorji. The report was carried out in two phases,
covering the period from July 2007 to October 2008.
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Come down harder on culprits: ACC to MoIC
Kuensel, 4 February 2010
The anti corruption commission (ACC) has asked the ministry of information and
communications (MoIC) to take stronger action against 13 employees of the
department of civil aviation in keeping with existing laws.The 13 employees were
charged last year for taking bank loans they were not entitled to. The
mastermind, Thinley Namgay, a fire and rescue crew member, had forged the
signature of the assistant finance officer and manipulated loan application forms,
enabling him and 12 other colleagues to take loans in excess of what they were
entitled to.
http://www.kuenselonline.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=14643
GoI funds for gewogs
Kuensel, 4 February 2010
Small Development Projects4 February, 2010 - About 441 projects that include
building farm roads, rural water supply schemes and basic health and education
infrastructure in all 205 gewogs should begin immediately with the Indian
government releasing Nu 394 mn yesterday.The ambassador of India to Bhutan,
Pavan K Varma, handed over the cheque of Nu 394 mn to prime minister
Lyonchhoen Jigmi Y Thinley as mobilisation advance to start implementing the
projects, which constitute the first lot of small development projects (SDP) worth
Nu 1.3 bn in all.
http://www.kuenselonline.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=14654
Drukgyal Zhipa addresses the people of Mongar
Kuensel, 6 February 2010
Addressing the people of Mongar dzongkhag affected by natural disasters
yesterday, His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo Jigme Singye Wangchuck, assured
that all the 1,476 affected households will receive the King’s kidu of Nu 21.6
million depending on the level of damage to their homes.His Majesty told the
people gathered in Mongar that some of them did not receive the Kidu soelra
because the assessment of the damages was not completed when His Majesty
King Khesar visited the affected areas. “In addition to the kidu, you will receive
free CGI sheets and timber,” said His Majesty. “It has been made clear that it will
not simply be handed over to you by the dzongkhag administration. Wherever
required, the army will carry them and deliver them to you. Timber shall be sawn
and granted,” said His Majesty. “150 soldiers are being stationed here with three
officers for your benefit during this time of need and for the future.”
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Record slump in tourist arrivals
Kuensel, 8 February 2010
Tourist arrivals dropped by 15 percent in 2009 from the year before, prompting
people in the industry to call it one of the worst slumps in recent years.Arrivals
fell to 23,480 in 2009, compared to 27,636 tourists in 2008, a drop of 4,156
tourists.Tourist arrivals have been increasing by 35 percent annually for the past
six years, but 2009 saw a drop mainly because of the global recession, said tour
operators. They said that other reasons could be the political unrest in
neighbouring countries such as Bangkok, Thailand and the H1NI
outbreak.Operators said the year began with more than 1,500 tourists cancelling
their trips to Bhutan following the international credit crunch.
http://www.kuenselonline.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=14681
Huge power shortage expected
Kuensel, 9 February 2010
Bhutan, rich in hydropower could face power shortage, up to 20 MW, by the late
winter months of 2010 and early 2011.This, according to Bhutan Power
corporation (BPC), is because, for the first time since the conception of Chukha,
Bhutan’s total winter generation at 288 MW will not be able to meet the expected
demand of 308 MW.“The winter demand has already touched 237 MW and, by the
end of this year, it will increase because of the 42 MW demand from Dungsam
cement and two BCCL factories, 12 MW from Punatsangchu I and II, Dagachu and
Mangdechu construction, 10 MW from domestic users and 8 MW from rural
electrification,” said BPC managing director, Dasho Bharat Tamang. “The
shortages are expected to get worse in the coming years with even the best-case
scenarios showing gaps.”
http://www.kuenselonline.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=14690
Tata interested in Bhutan’s development
Kuensel, 11 February 2010
Tata group would like to increase its presence in Bhutan in areas beyond
hydropower projects, and not necessarily for money, the chairman of India’s
industrial and commercial giant, Tata group, Ratan Tata, told Prime Minister Jigmi
Y Thinley.Calling on the prime minister in Gyalyong Tshokhang yesterday, Ratan
Tata said that Tata Group has always looked at national development as more
important than running business. He said he appreciated Bhutan’s desire to
maintain its traditional roots and at the same time create prosperity for its
people.
http://www.kuenselonline.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=14705
Airtel interested in Bhutan
Kuensel, 15 February 2010
Mobile Phone Service 15 February, 2010 - The government has said that it would
give serious thoughts to Bharti Airtel’s proposal to enter the Bhutanese telecom
market.If allowed, it would be the third mobile phone service provider and the
first company from outside the country.The chairman and group CEO of Bharti
enterprises, Sunil Bharti Mittal, met with prime minister Lyonchhoen Jigmi Y
Thinley yesterday in New Delhi and expressed his keen interest to gain a foothold
in the Bhutanese telecommunications sector and several other areas in which the
government is looking for outside investors.
http://www.kuenselonline.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=14742
Lafarge keen on Bhutan’s gypsum
Kuensel, 16 February 2010
16 February, 2010 - The government’s mining policy, which is still being finalised,
will determine whether Lafarge, a France-based multinational company and Druk
Satair corporation ltd., a mining company in eastern Bhutan, can partner to
manufacture value-added gypsum products.“We signed a document to work
together,” said the chairman of Druk Satair, Rinchen Dorji. “But whether the
partnership takes off will depend on what the mining policy says. We’ve been told
that it will be out by April.”
http://www.kuenselonline.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=14749
Absconder nabbed in Bumthang
Kuensel, 17 February 2010
The Thimphu district jail prisoner, who escaped from the national referral hospital
on February 11, was re-arrested in Bumthang on February 15. The prisoner,
Taula, absconded while waiting to be being treated at the hospital.According to
police, following information from their source, Taula was arrested from a bar in
Bumthang. Police said that Taula was wearing the robes of a monk and was
intoxicated at the time of arrest. The convict will be charged to court for
enhancement of sentence police said. He was serving a five-year sentence at the
district jail in Thimphu for criminal misappropriation of property and criminal
breach of trust.
http://www.kuenselonline.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=14759
His Majesty the King celebrates his 30th birthday in Paro
Kuensel, 21 February 2010
His Majesty the King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck joined the people of Paro
who had gathered in Ugyen Pelri Palace grounds to celebrate the 30th birth
anniversary of His Majesty the King.His Majesty was on his way from Paro
Taktshang where he had spent the night praying for the continued well-being and
happiness of all the Bhutanese people.
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