Prime Minister Lyonchhen Jigmi Y Thinley participated in the opening ceremony of the Festival of Economics shortly after arriving in Trento province, a three-hour drive from the Italian city of Milan, on June 3.
After the inaugural, he attended a talk by Prof Robert D Putnam on the challenges and potential of immigration and ethnicity – the social capital – based on a survey conducted in the United States in 2000.
On June 4, the prime minister met the mayor of Trento, Dr Alessandro Andreatta at the town hall, and visited the university of Trento, a co-host of the festival. This was followed by a press conference at the palace of the province of Trento, and a preparatory meeting with the interpreters for the debate on GNH, scheduled to be held today.
The prime minister and his entourage return to Bhutan on June 8. Source: Kuenselonline
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Coronation Silver Jubilee Archery Tournament
There was an air of suspense and excitement at the Changlimithang archery range yesterday, when 11 men dressed not in gho but similar to gho entered the range carrying bows and arrows.
The archers from Sikkim, the only team outside Bhutan competing in the Coronation Silver Jubilee tournament got the loudest cheer, but could not live up to the expectation of the spectators, who supported them throughout.
Their opponent Karma TMT beat them in two straight sets. It was also one of the few games that took only one day to decide. In the first set, Sikkim managed 10 points and they were slightly better in the second set with 17 points. “I thought they’d get nothing,” said a spectator, Nima from Chang Olakha. “It was a surprise, a good game, given that they are competing for the first time,” he said.
At the end of the game, around 4:30, there were no angry losers or proud winners, as the two teams got together and danced forming a big circle. The general secretary of Sikkim archery association, Dr KB Gurung, said that they came to Bhutan on the invitation of BAF. “Today wasn’t our day, but we should accept that our opponent was better. We’ll come back stronger next year.”
Dr Gurung said that winning or losing didn’t matter to them. “We participated to further the friendship and cooperation we have with Bhutan,” he said.
Meanwhile, players said that they have learnt some lessons to improve their skills. “In Sikkim, our target is double the size of targets here and the distance is 130 m and not 145 m. We’ll change and follow Bhutanese rules,” said a player. Source: Kuenselonline
The archers from Sikkim, the only team outside Bhutan competing in the Coronation Silver Jubilee tournament got the loudest cheer, but could not live up to the expectation of the spectators, who supported them throughout.
Their opponent Karma TMT beat them in two straight sets. It was also one of the few games that took only one day to decide. In the first set, Sikkim managed 10 points and they were slightly better in the second set with 17 points. “I thought they’d get nothing,” said a spectator, Nima from Chang Olakha. “It was a surprise, a good game, given that they are competing for the first time,” he said.
At the end of the game, around 4:30, there were no angry losers or proud winners, as the two teams got together and danced forming a big circle. The general secretary of Sikkim archery association, Dr KB Gurung, said that they came to Bhutan on the invitation of BAF. “Today wasn’t our day, but we should accept that our opponent was better. We’ll come back stronger next year.”
Dr Gurung said that winning or losing didn’t matter to them. “We participated to further the friendship and cooperation we have with Bhutan,” he said.
Meanwhile, players said that they have learnt some lessons to improve their skills. “In Sikkim, our target is double the size of targets here and the distance is 130 m and not 145 m. We’ll change and follow Bhutanese rules,” said a player. Source: Kuenselonline
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Bhutan: work experience of 25 years mandatory for Constitutional heads
All heads of Constitutional offices will need to have at least 25 years of work experience in the government or public service while the other members and commissioners will need at least 20 years of work experience. This was decided in today's session of the Parliament as they discussed the Service Condition Bill for holders of the Constitutional offices.
The National Council had earlier proposed that Constitutional post holder needed at least 30 years of work experience in the government or public service. But, today's deliberation went with the National Assembly's proposal and decided that all heads of Constitutional offices should have 25 years of work experience while the other members and commissioners should have 20 years of work experience.
But what happens to the existing commissioners and the heads of the Constitutional offices? The question was posed by the Economic Affairs Minister.
To this the Speaker informed the House that the work experience requirement will apply only to the new ones.
Following this, the Parliament also deliberated on whether or not the benefits for the other members or the commissioners should be included in the Act.
They then discussed the salary and other incentives of the Constitutional post holders. Source: BBS
The National Council had earlier proposed that Constitutional post holder needed at least 30 years of work experience in the government or public service. But, today's deliberation went with the National Assembly's proposal and decided that all heads of Constitutional offices should have 25 years of work experience while the other members and commissioners should have 20 years of work experience.
But what happens to the existing commissioners and the heads of the Constitutional offices? The question was posed by the Economic Affairs Minister.
To this the Speaker informed the House that the work experience requirement will apply only to the new ones.
Following this, the Parliament also deliberated on whether or not the benefits for the other members or the commissioners should be included in the Act.
They then discussed the salary and other incentives of the Constitutional post holders. Source: BBS
Bhutan; "Himalaya and Beyond" an overland expedition
Driven by the zeal for four wheel driving and the curiosity for Bhutan, an overland expedition entered the capital yesterday. With the theme 'Himalaya and Beyond', the expedition comprises of 23 sports utility vehicles (SUVs) and 67 members. The team will be in the country for about three days.
After cruising through the Phuentsholing-Thimphu national highway for about five hours, the team arrived at the capital towards evening.
Upon arrival at the clock tower square, the team was received by His Excellency the Minister for Information and Communications, Lyonpo Nandalal Rai.
This year, the organiser recorded the highest number of participation so far. This is attributed to having Bhutan as the destination.
This is also the first time the expedition designed Bhutan as its destination.
“Bhutan to me is so exotic because Bhutan has never been conquered. So Bhutan is like separated from the world. It is pure, original and you maintain the culture. Here we are seeing Bhutanese wearing their traditional dress. To us, it is something like treasure because we have lost a lot of our culture,” said Najuib Hasan, the Expedition Director.
The Expedition is organized by All-Terrain Convoy Malaysia, a Malaysian overland traveller's club, however, participation has come from as far as Australia. Few from Brunei and Taiwan are also participating.
The team en-route to Malaysia will also travel through India, China, Laos, Nepal, Tibet and Thailand. Source: BBS
After cruising through the Phuentsholing-Thimphu national highway for about five hours, the team arrived at the capital towards evening.
Upon arrival at the clock tower square, the team was received by His Excellency the Minister for Information and Communications, Lyonpo Nandalal Rai.
This year, the organiser recorded the highest number of participation so far. This is attributed to having Bhutan as the destination.
This is also the first time the expedition designed Bhutan as its destination.
“Bhutan to me is so exotic because Bhutan has never been conquered. So Bhutan is like separated from the world. It is pure, original and you maintain the culture. Here we are seeing Bhutanese wearing their traditional dress. To us, it is something like treasure because we have lost a lot of our culture,” said Najuib Hasan, the Expedition Director.
The Expedition is organized by All-Terrain Convoy Malaysia, a Malaysian overland traveller's club, however, participation has come from as far as Australia. Few from Brunei and Taiwan are also participating.
The team en-route to Malaysia will also travel through India, China, Laos, Nepal, Tibet and Thailand. Source: BBS
Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan Bill
After much deliberation the Joint Session of the Parliament unanimously agreed on adopting the recommendations of the Joint Committee on the Royal Monetary Authority (RMA) Bill today.
The Joint Committee was formed to review the Bill and the 11 points of contention. The 11 points of contention were on the appointment of the members, election and appointment of governor and chairman among others. Before adopting the Bill the Finance Minister said it is vital to review and amend the Bill with the change in time and the development taking place.
While casting votes on enacting the Bill all the 66 members present during the Joint Sitting agreed upon the adoption of the Bill.
The Act states that the governor of the central bank will not be the Finance Minister but he or she will be appointed by His Majesty the King on recommendation of the Prime Minister.
The governor will also be the chairperson of its seven member board. The governor must be with recognised experience and with qualification in financial and economic matters.
The Act also states that the governor should not be a member of any political party.
The Act states that henceforth the board shall determine the salaries, allowances and benefits of the employees of the authority. Source: BBS
The Joint Committee was formed to review the Bill and the 11 points of contention. The 11 points of contention were on the appointment of the members, election and appointment of governor and chairman among others. Before adopting the Bill the Finance Minister said it is vital to review and amend the Bill with the change in time and the development taking place.
While casting votes on enacting the Bill all the 66 members present during the Joint Sitting agreed upon the adoption of the Bill.
The Act states that the governor of the central bank will not be the Finance Minister but he or she will be appointed by His Majesty the King on recommendation of the Prime Minister.
The governor will also be the chairperson of its seven member board. The governor must be with recognised experience and with qualification in financial and economic matters.
The Act also states that the governor should not be a member of any political party.
The Act states that henceforth the board shall determine the salaries, allowances and benefits of the employees of the authority. Source: BBS
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Bhutan; Tobacco Control Bill, 2009
Any Bhutanese found smuggling, supplying or distributing tobacco products shall be punishable with a minimum sentence of felony of fourth degree - a prison term ranging from three to five years without thrimthrue (payment in lieu of imprisonment).
This was decided yesterday at the joint sitting of parliament, while discussing the tobacco control bill, 2009. Parliament also decided that any Bhutanese selling tobacco products would be punishable with misdemeanour, if the source of supply is revealed. “If the accused fails to disclose the source, he or she shall be liable for the offence of smuggling, in addition to the offence of illegal sale.”
This was decided yesterday at the joint sitting of parliament, while discussing the tobacco control bill, 2009. Parliament also decided that any Bhutanese selling tobacco products would be punishable with misdemeanour, if the source of supply is revealed. “If the accused fails to disclose the source, he or she shall be liable for the offence of smuggling, in addition to the offence of illegal sale.”
This was proposed by the joint committee of the two houses after the bill was discussed in the two houses last year, during the fourth parliament session. The two houses stood divided on section 11 c, which states, “No person shall sell tobacco and tobacco products”. The national council wanted to remove the section. However, consensus could not be reached before intense debate among the parliamentarians.
Gasa MP Damcho Dorji opposed the decision stating that fourth degree penalty should not be imposed to all level of offenses, but should be based on the degree of crime. He said it was not fair to penalise a person, who illegally sold a packet of cigarette equally to those who sold huge amounts. He suggested that, for the first offence, fine was more effective, as it contributed to country’s revenue, as well as eased the present congestion problem in the detention centres. “The country is already running out of space in detention and lock-up centres and, if minor offenders are put in jail, it’ll be an additional problem,” said Damcho Dorji.
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