How Democracy is Evolving in Bhutan
The Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan is taking another step on its road to democracy next Monday. It will hold local elections for the first time in most of the country. This comes just three years after a sweep of democracy was brought in by the then-King, over the protests...
Getting Ready for the Final Phase of Local Elections
By S. Chandrasekharan After many hiccups, the final phase of local elections for the posts of Gups, Mangmis, Tshogpas, Thromde thremis and thromde tshogpas will be taking place on 27 June 2011. There had been considerable delay in holding the elections and it looks that there will be no...
Government decides against NZ job offer
The Bhutanese government decided against sending any Bhutanese to work in New Zealand farms. There was a demand for 2000 Bhutanese in New Zealand. The government said, the decision was taken because the jobs offered were for low skilled labourers. I am bit surprised if Bhutanese farmers were that...
Parliament business on Wednesday
Parliament on Wednesday ratified two conventions – SAARC Convention on Environment and Convention on Anti Doping in Sports. SAARC Convention is the product of the Thirteenth SAARC Summit (Dhaka, November, 2005) where the Leaders of the Member States called for considering the modalities for having a Regional Environment Treaty...
Extra security adds panic in Gelephu
The authorities in southern districts are extra cautious with the approach of local government election. The extra cautiousness was invited by the two simultaneous explosions on May 24 in Gelephu and Phuentsholing. The extra cautiousness has added panic to the general people. A local resident in Gelephu said her...
Parliament discusses Bhutanese refugee issue
The parliament in Bhutan briefly discussed the Bhutanese refugee issue on Friday’s sitting. This part of formality fulfilled by the government to inform the parliament regarding updates on Bhutanese refugee issue. Prime Minister Jigme Y Thinley addressing the parliament appreciated the initiative taken by the western countries for resettlement...