SARBHANG

Groundwork begins for taking to the air

2010-01-08T00:09:00.000-08:00

Domestic Airports 8 January, 2010 - The Gelephu domestic airport will start operations from June 2011, according to the Mckinsey’s milestone plan for civil aviation endorsed by the government and not December 2010, as stated in the government executive order.

The master plan for Gelephu airport should be developed by June 2010 and by September this year, the department of civil aviation (DCA) should have acquired the land and paid compensation to land owners. This is according to the milestone plan, which was signed between the DCA the ministry of information and communications on December 9 last year.

“The milestone plan will precede the executive order,” said the DCA director general, Phala Dorji.

The Gelephu airport has provisions to be expanded into an international airport, said DCA officials. “We’re looking at having an instrument landing system (ILS) where flights can land at night, unlike Paro,” said the aerodrome officer with DCA, Sangay Wangdi. “To have that we need a huge amount of land.”

Sangay Wangdi said that the Indian airport authority team, who had earlier visited the area, had recommended 840 acres for an international airport.

The DCA is still working on networking routes between the domestic airports and the international airports in Guwahati and Bagdora in India. “It’s something new to us and we don’t want to rush,” said DCA’s director general. “This is because a domestic airport won’t have facilities like immigration and customs and no domestic airports are connected to international airports. You have to come to Paro for international flights.”

He said that Bhutan might have to use Guwahati’s and Bagdora’s facilities if it is to connect a domestic airport to an international airport. “It’s practiced in Europe but we can’t take it for granted that it’ll work here,” said Phapa Dorji. “So we’re still exploring, keeping in mind the legalities.”

Meanwhile, construction of the terminal building and repair work on the airstrip in Yonphula, Trashigang, will begin from January 25, said Phala Dorji. “There’s already an airstrip so what we need is power and water supply and a small terminal building,” he said. The Nu 11.2 mn project has been awarded to Kuenleg construction enterprise private limited, a firm based in Phuentsholing. The project is to be completed by May 2010.

Yonphula should be commissioned and operational by December 2010, according to the milestone plan.

In Bumthang, around 30 to 40 acres of land has been identified in Barpalathang for the domestic airport. While the master plan for this airport is ready, DCA officials said that cadastral survey and cost estimates are yet to be done. Swedavia, an international civil aviation Swedish consultancy firm, does each master plan, which takes about two months.

Officials said the airport in Bumthang would not displace as many people as in Gelephu, since more than 90 percent of the airport land is government owned. “But we might take about 20 to 30 decimal of private land in the southern side of the airport to divert the river,” said Sangay Wangdi.

The Bumthang airport, which will soon see the installation of meteorological equipment, would comprise of an airstrip of 1,200 m, an apron, a taxiway and a terminal building. By March this year, land should be acquired and demarcated and airport construction, tendered out according to the plan and operations, should begin by December.

DCA has come up with three small aircraft that could be used for domestic flights. They are the Dornier 228, which Druk Air first flew when it started, the Beechcraft 200 and the Pilatus PC-12. “The Dornier has a capacity of 13-19 passengers, while the other two can fly between seven to nine passengers at a time,” said the aerodrome officer, Sangay Wangdi.

The feasibility study on helicopter services was to be completed by December 2009, according to the executive order. Phala Dorji said that Bhutan already has a feasibility study on chopper services since 1992. “With the airports coming up, we decided to combine the helicopter and aircraft services,” he said. “Whoever expresses interest in providing aircraft services can also provide chopper services.”

By Sonam Pelden in Kuensel

Cadastral survey completed

2010-01-08T00:08:00.000-08:00

Airport (prior development) Almost half the required land is privately owned

Gelephu Domestic Airport 7 January, 2008 - Around 220 households could be displaced once the construction of the domestic airport at Nayabasti, about two kilometres north of Gelephu town begins, say dungkhag officials.

Officials said that the figure is based on preliminary survey reports and is subject to change.

The director general of the department of civil aviation, Phala Dorji, said that the exact number of people, who would be displaced, will be known only after the cadastral survey report is compiled by the national land commission. The survey, he said, was completed last week.

He however said that, of the 840 acres of land, that would be used to construct the airport, almost 50 percent is owned by the people. “About 400-500 acres of land are owned by the people. Some have built concrete buildings and some are semi permanent structures,” he said. “The rest of the land is government owned. But, since it’s a domestic airport, at this moment, we feel that the houses may not be affected,” said Phala Dorji.

He said that a reassessment has to be done for the concrete buildings, which are two to three storied and fall in the airport vicinity.

According to the executive order issued on November 13, last year, the ministry of information and communications has been directed to develop airstrip and commence aviation operations in Gelephu by December this year. The domestic airport in Trashigang should start operations by spring this year and Bumthang by June 2011.

The domestic airport, which would comprise a runway and a terminal building is today still partly under forest cover. Phala Dorji said that the construction would begin as soon as the civil aviation gets the airport land. “We aren’t looking at a big project, so it’ll be completed on time,” he said.

The Gelephu domestic airport, among other plans, is expected to accelerate economic development, by enhancing domestic revenue and generating employment opportunities.

By Sonam Pelden in Kuensel

Assam strike cloud over Gelephu fair

2010-01-08T00:07:00.000-08:00

GELEPHU GAMBIT For the first time a fair of this sort is to be held in the region

7 January, 2008 - With the Bhutan-India friendship trade fair in Gelephu to open tomorrow, there is apprehension among the organisers that all 45 participants from India may not make it because of continued strikes in the bordering Indian state of Assam.

An indefinite strike from January 1 called by AKRSU, (all Kamtapur student union), who are demanding a separate state for the Kush Raj Bangshi, has stopped movement of vehicles plying the Gelephu-Samdrupjongkhar-Phuentsholing highway via the states of Assam and Bengal.

“The 45 participants from 25 Indian firms and companies have confirmed their participation, but a few may not make it due to ongoing strikes,” said Chandra B Chhetri, deputy secretary of Bhutan chamber of commerce and industry (BCCI), who is organising the fair.

“We have participants from Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and Assam, who will showcase their products of micro, small and medium enterprises for the first time,” said Chandra Chhetri.

According to the vice president of BCCI, Thinley Pelden, they have requested the Gelephu and Assam police to arrange a special escort for all the Indian participants. “They’ve agreed to render all possible assistance and support to bring them together to Gelephu,” he told Kuensel.

More than 100 firms and companies from India and Bhutan are expected to participate in the trade fair, which is scheduled to conclude on January 12. Of the 45 stalls occupied by Indian firms, 12 will be by the north eastern development financial corporation ltd., and 12 by the Bodo of Assam.

This fair, according to Thinley Pelden, will primarily focus on the micro, small and medium enterprises from Bhutan, and eight states of India for participation. Seminars on the B2B business market development model, launch of rural products and services, awareness programs on health, social and environmental issues, demonstrations on management and operation of agro-forestry and backyard farms for the rural folk and cross border cultural exchange, have also been planned every evening.

The five-day fair with the theme of ‘enhancing cross-border partnership’ is the first of its kind in the south-central region. Gelephu was chosen as the venue, based on its strategic location. “It’s also the picnic season for Indians,” said Thinley Pelden. The regional agency of the Bhutan-India friendship association (BIFA) is involved in the promotion of the event.

By Rinzin Wangchuk in Kuensel

About time to deliver?

2010-01-03T21:10:00.000-08:00

2 January 2010

Twenty-one months in power, the MPs are yet to deliver their promises, according to grassroots leaders. Most people observer spoke to said that their representatives had helped them settle disputes, address personal and bureaucratic problems, but most of their election promises remain unfulfilled.

But MPs say that, since most of their promises are in line with the 10th plan activities, they are being fulfilled as the government vigorously carries out the plan activities. They say that they will ensure that their promises are delivered by the end of their term.

Gups say many 10th plan activities are underway at the grassroots level. The plan activities like construction of farm roads, upgrading and renovation of schools and basic health units, provision of electricity, telecommunications facilities and safe drinking water, and increased employment opportunities are being implemented.

But delivering most specific election promises haven’t even begun. According to them, many important village plans like the construction of Maokhola bridge and airports in Gelephu and Bartsham, among others, have been stalled for want of fund and human resource expertise.

National Assembly Speaker Jigme Tshultim, however, said the government had been busy for the past 20 months laying the foundation for a successful democracy, looking for external funds, mapping out plans and programmes, and putting the laws into force. “We are now ready to deliver,” he said. “In fact, works have already started in many places.”

The parliament, in four sessions, has passed 11 bills. “In our first term, democracy has to succeed and promises have to be fulfilled,” he said, adding that what the government has achieved in the first 20 months can never ever be achieved.

“We will do more in five years than what the country has achieved in the last 49 years,” he said. He added that all the party promises could be fulfilled provided that there was proper implementation of plans as government had money.

According to Tshogpoen, by the end of DPT’s term in office, 80 percent of the country will be covered by road network and 100 percent by electricity connection.

Today, 66 out of the 205 gewogs in the country are not connected by road, and 43,951 households do not have electricity supply. By law, the MPs are required to visit their constituencies twice a year. But in 21 months, most of them have visited their constituencies only once or twice. Gups say that, if this trend continues, many promises will remain unfulfilled.

Gangzur-Minjay MP from Lhuentse, Karma Rangdol, said the government had done a lot internationally and diplomatically by building relations with the outside world. However, he admitted that in terms of delivering promises, it was ‘unsatisfactory’. “I would like the government to perform better,” he said.

According to him, the government has the money, but only in principle. The seven billion ngultrums committed by the Indian government for small development projects (SDP) is yet to be received. This, he said, had hampered development works. “If we do not deliver, people will hold us accountable,” he said. “We need to do more.”

Opposition Leader Tshering Tobgay said it was not correct to assess the performance of the government right now as it was not even two years old. The first elected government should be given time to deliver its promises, he said. “I am optimistic and hopeful that they will deliver all their promises,” he said.

However, on the government’s duty to institutionalize democracy in the country, he said, “I am afraid the government is failing to enhance people’s understanding and confidence in democracy. It looks like more and more people from all sections of the society are much more readily expressing their dissatisfaction.”

The Opposition Leader said the government’s track record hasn’t been good, and this may indicate the government’s inability to plan and execute works as promised. “The 10th plan took unnecessarily long time to finalize. What took them so long to get the money?” he questioned. The Department of Public Accounts says that, from July to September 25 this year, the total 10th plan budget utilization stands at 23 percent current and 15 percent capital expenditures out of the total budget outlay of Nu 28,149.3 million for the year. The total budget outlay for the 10th plan is estimated at Nu 148.074 billion.

The 10th plan has a reresource gap of about Nu 10 billion. It is probable that many developmental activities will get prolonged if the gap is not filled. Domestic revenues of Nu 75.39 billion is expected to be sufficient to fund only about 52 percent of the plan activities. Bhutan will still require external assistance, grants and loans of over Nu 71 billion to meet its capital expenditures in the 10th plan.

Meanwhile, voters are waiting for some basic services that formed the election promises of DPT MPs.

Expanding opportunities in tourism sector
Making transportation safer and affordable
One-stop service centres
Preventing losses of crops to wild life
Making roofing materials affordable to remote farmers
Making available basic health care facilities
Sparing children the pain of walking beyond one hour
Making education and vocational training relevant
One-stop job cafes and placement centres Caring for the elderly
Ensuring equal opportunities of and treatment by the law
Developing disaster management capacity

By Sonam Pelden and Jigme Wangchuk in Bhutan Observer

Special audit of postal fraud

2010-01-03T21:07:00.000-08:00

30 December, 2009 - A special audit investigation is being carried out at the Gelephu post office, following a request from Sarpang court, to reinvestigate the misappropriation of Nu 305,785 by the postal in-charge of the branch office in Panbang, Zhemgang.

The Bhutan Post management found, through internal auditing, that Ugyen Dorji, 25, had misappropriated the money during his tenure as the postal in-charge of Panbang post office, Zhemgang, from March 2008 to January 2009.

Ugyen Dorji had misused the public money order that is transacted through the post by fax and letter. Post offices in other parts of the country had paid to the public money orders sent from the Panbang post office but Ugyen Dorji had not reimbursed the money to the other post offices, according to a Sarpang court official.

There is no pending payment to the public, according to Bhutan Post’s regional manager in Gelephu, Karma Tshering. “Bhutan Post had made immediate payments from our imprest fund,” he said.

Bhutan Post had filed the case against the defendant earlier this year in the Gelephu dungkhag court, where the defendant had admitted misusing the funds and entered a legal agreement to repay the money. “He has failed to repay so we had to file the case again,” the regional manager said.

Once the case was forwarded to Sarpang court, the defendant submitted a petition to reinvestigate the case, stating that he was not satisfied with the investigation carried out by internal auditors. “We requested the audit to carry out the investigation to give fair justice and to satisfy the aggrieved party,” a court official in Sarpang said.

Bhutan Post had recovered Nu 26,275 from the defendant from his monthly salary and other entitlements. “However, the amount is subject to change with the audit investigation, which will be known within next three days” Karma Tshering said.

Ugyen Dorji from Samdrupjongkhar is in police custody.

By Tashi Dema in Kuensel

SARPANG TSHECHU GAINS POPULARITY

2010-01-03T21:02:00.000-08:00

December 26, 2009

Thousands of devotees gathered at the courtyard of the Tali Dratshang in Gelephu for the three day Sarpang tshechu which concludes today. Organizers are expecting the biggest crowds to gather today to witness the closing ceremony.

Government offices in the Dzongkhag remained closed from December 25 to 27 to celebrate the annual festival.

Well known mask dances that carry religious significance were performed besides the traditional Dzongkha dances at the courtyard of the Dratshang. Dzongkhag and dungkhag officials, and the residents here witnessed the festival.

The annual festival, which began in 1991 has been attracting more and more spectators, each year. It is a popular religious event for the people of the dzongkhag.

The reason for the growing crowds in the recent years has been attributed to the increased population in the dzongkhag after resettlement programme began in early 2000, according to elders.

Many people who have been resettled in the dzongkhag say they have not missed the annual festival since they settled in the dzongkhag. “I make it a point to come to witness this holy event every year,” Sherab, 54, said.

Crowds at the Tshechu not only consist of Buddhists populace but a good number of them are Lhotshampas of belonging to Hindu religion. A young resident of Gelephu, Suresh said that he enjoyed the festival. “I don’t differentiate between different religions,” he said.

The festival as usual, has created a short-term business for some residents. Rows of stalls mainly selling clothes and food items have sprung up in the vicinity.

By M B Subba in Sarpang in Bhutan Today

SMALL STEP TOWARDS MAO KHOLA BRIDGE

2010-01-03T21:00:00.000-08:00

December 25, 2009 · Filed Under Top Articals

Mao Khola may finally have a bridge someday! The department of geology and mines are conducting a sub-soil investigation for the feasibility of the promised bridge over the river.

Design of a single-lane motor cable stay-bridge will hopefully be completed in the next six months, according to the Member of National Assembly from Gelephu, Prem Kumar Gurung.

It is not known when exactly the four gewogs on the other side of Maokhola will have a permanent bridge over the river to connect them to the rest of Gelephu. A soil study, however, is some progress, given that most people have simply lost hope.

“We don’t know when the promise will be fulfilled. We only know that it is not happening soon,” a farmer said.

In the meanwhile, they will have to carry on as before.

People of four gewogs on the other side of the Maokhola have just completed building temporary bridges over stretches of sand banks over which water still flows.

It is just another annual routine work for the people here. These temporary bridges, built of bamboos and wood, however, will disappear with the onset of the next monsoon.

Then, as the river comes down from the mountains in fury in summer, the people require boatmen to ferry them across to Gelephu. Boatmen from India are employed every summer for about five months when the ferry is needed due to high floodwaters in the river. But even the boats are paralysed for days during huge floods.

People are accustomed to the problem. They are not complaining as they did before unless an outsider asks about their problem. “Now we are used to it,” said an elderly resident of Chuzargang.

Many of them just see it as a distant dream. The feasibility of building a bridge to span over the meandering river to connect the villages on the other side of Gelephu calls for an engineering feat.

The people of the four gewogs across the river, who otherwise paid Nu 5 for every trip across the river, however, enjoyed free boat service this summer paid for from the constituency development grant (CDG) budget.

MP Prem Kumar Gurung launched the free boat service through CDG budget over Maokhola last August. He faced stiff opposition when he had decided to use CDG fund to pay the salary of the boatmen. The government sanctioned Nu 320,000 for the free boat service project for 2009.

However, given the recurring nature of the free boat service, the people are not sure whether they would be in a position to enjoy the same facility next summer.

MP Prem Kumar Gurung maintains that It was more important to concentrate on the immediate need of the people rather than debating on whether it was recurring or not. “People immediately needed the service and it was delivered,” he said.

By M B Subba in GELEPHU in Bhutan Today

Gelephu waits … and waits … to get a move on

2010-01-03T20:59:00.000-08:00

Despite its boom potential, bureaucratic redtape saps optimism

TIMBER IN ABEYANCE It looks like stockpiled construction material will have to survive another monsoon

25 December, 2009 - Pleasant weather, vast stretches of flat land, a huge army cantonment nearby, and a plan for an international airport. Gelephu has all the potential to become a major commercial centre for central Bhutan like Phuentsholing is for Thimphu.

The security situation that hampered Gelephu’s development has improved and the town is a now a safer place. Punatsangchhu I and II are also seen as a project that will act as a catalyst to Gelephu’s development.

But the town is not expanding.

In the interim, demarcated plots are overgrown with thickets since construction was suspended in 2000. Residents and landowners are eager to build houses. They know the cost of construction is escalating every year.

“The town has everything a place needs to grow and develop,” said a resident Sonam. “Many civil servants (both retired and working) have bought land here,” he said.

Like Sonam, retired soldier Sangay is among the many who bought land in Gelephu. Sangay invested his entire retirement benefit in purchasing land in the hope of constructing a house, rent it and earn an income. “But, with constructions frozen, I’ve finished the money I kept to build the house,” he said.

A civil servant, Singye, bought a 13-decimal plot in 2000 and bought timber to construct a house. Today, his timber is piled in front of his cousin’s house, while his land is overrun with bushes.

Except for a few buildings coming up in the town proper, there is no sign of any construction in the planned town. In 2006, a few landowners got the permit to construct but, even as they readied with the material, the municipal office stopped them again. “The municipal officials told me that they’d allow once the structural plan was ready,” said a retired civil servant. “Three years have passed and I don’t understand what’s taking them so long to develop a structural plan.”

Some landowners also complained that the municipality has allowed some to construct, while barring others, which according to them was unfair.

Meanwhile, the Gelephu municipal office is under pressure from people to allow construction. “Everyday a person comes and approaches us to let them construct,” said the municipal officer-in-charge, Chophel Dorji. “But, without any order from our ministry, the ministry of works and human settlement, and the land commission, we can’t allow them.”

Chopel Dorji said that the structural plan for the re-planning of the main town and local area plan (LAP) I, the area between the new taxi parking and Tali dratshang, was completed in early 2008. “Construction will be allowed if MoWHS and the land commission gives us the order to hand over the plots to owners,” said Chopel. “We know people are suffering but what can we do,” he said.

However, the municipality has allowed constructions to landowners in LAP I, who own more than one acre of land. “We allowed them because land owners with more than an acre will have excess land when we pool land,” Chopel Dorji said.

Gelephu municipal area is spread over an area of eight sq km. While LAP I and II have been identified, the municipality is still sto identify phase III and IV. LAP II is in the match factory area.

There is no clear sign when the ministry will give the go ahead to hand over the plots, and landowners will have to witness yet another monsoon pound the material they have gathered for construction.

By Tashi Dema in Kuensel

Gelephu balks at sewerage charge

2010-01-03T20:57:00.000-08:00

LONG OVERDUE: Bhutan’s third urban centre awaits connection to sewage network

24 December, 2009 - Residents of Gelephu, the third largest urban centre in the country to have a modern sewerage system after Thimphu and Phuentsholing, are not so keen to have one.

Residents, who were asked by the municipal to pay for their sewerage connection, say that the government is giving them “stepmotherly treatment”. “In big towns like Thimphu and Phuentsholing, building owners didn’t have to pay anything,” a building owner said. “In Gelephu, we don’t have much income and we have to pay.”

Building owners will have to pay from Nu 30,000 to more than Nu 100,000 to connect the sewerage in accordance with their network. “From where will I bring the money,” said a building owner, who was told she would have to pay about Nu 70,000 to connect her two-storied house to the sewerage system.

The Nu 26mn DANIDA funded 18-month project to lay a network of underground sewer lines in the core area of the town and connect 350 households to the network was supposed to be completed in February 2008. The delay has frustrated town residents, who say that Gelephu is turning out to be a sick town.

The process of implementation went wrong from the initial stage, said a restaurant owner. “The work took too long to complete and now they’re taking too long to connect.”

At present 34 governmental buildings in the town are being connected to the sewer network, while the municipal, according to the municipal officer-in-charge, Chophel Dorji, has worked on the cost estimation to connect the sewer networks of 50 plots.

Chophel Dorji said that house-owners were not at all cooperative. “We had to call them for one meeting three times,” he said, adding, “Whenever we call them for a meeting, only a few turn up to complain about the charges.” People should have raised that issue when the municipality discussed it at the initial stages in 2007, he said.

The municipal is not in a position to give them free connection since it was not in DANIDA’s commitment.

But building owners say that they were not aware of it before.

The municipal officer-in-charge said that the 50 plot owners were asked to endorse their estimate by December 31. “So, if they don’t turn up, we’ll assume that they endorse our estimate and we’ll ask them to deposit the money,” he said. “After that we’ll tender it and then the connection work will start.”

Gelephu town is spread over an area of eight square kilometres and has about 900 households. Once connected, the sewerage is expected to improve hygiene and sanitation in the town.

The sewer network will flow into a Nu 34mn treatment plant at Pelrithang, about 400 m from the Indo-Bhutan border.

By Tashi Dema in Kuensel

Strike in India affects Bhutanese

2010-01-03T20:56:00.000-08:00

Dec 22: The continued strikes in bordering Indian states have badly affected the transportation and economic activities of the country.

Bhutanese have been facing the burnt of strike in Assam shortly after one ended in Gorkhaland. Assam had experienced similar strike some weeks ago as well.

The latest strike called for Monday and Tuesday has turned Gelephu-Samdrup Jongkhar-Phuentsholing highway completely deserted the road.

Due to the 24-hour strike called by armed groups operating in the states, many vehicles have been stranded in Gelephu.

On the other hand, Bhutanese are also facing troubles due to strike in West Bengal called by anti-Gorkhaland movement groups. The strike in Gorkhaland was called on the eve of tripartite talks between the Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha, the central and the state government of Bengal.

From Bhutan News Service

BHUTANESE WORKERS TO REPLACE INDIANS IN GELEPHU HOTELS

2010-01-03T20:54:00.000-08:00

December 22, 2009

Hoteliers here, mostly Indians, fear that Bhutanese workers – difficult to find in the first place – will not be as pliable, and will surely charge more than the Indians

As a part of its exercise to clamp down on illegal Indian workers in Gelephu, the immigration office here has given a deadline to the hotel operators to employ Bhutanese workers.

Starting this January, the hotels will have to replace the existing Indian waiters and cooks with Bhutanese workers, the hoteliers say. They have just about a week to comply with the order.

Although actual figures of the number of Indians working in Gelephu hotels was not available, almost all the hotels have Indian nationals working as waiters, cooks and sweepers.

The hotel operators have submitted their lists of the number of workers required to the Ministry of Labour and Human Resources. However, they have not yet received any workers, which they were assured of being sent by December end.

“We have been told to employ Bhutanese workers from the beginning of the New Year, and we have submitted our requirements to the ministry. But we have not yet received any information on when they are coming,” a hotel manager, Arjun told BHUTAN TODAY.

Interestingly, there is also scepticism among a few hoteliers as to whether a Bhutanese waiter will be able to work as diligently as the present ones. “Indian workers easily obey the manager, but Bhutanese workers may show us their red eyes when we order them to work,” said an Indian running a hotel in town.

But it is the manager’s skill to deal with his workers politely, and I hope the Bhutanese workers will co-operate, said another.

Businesspeople say employing Indian workers is cheaper and they are easily available.

Currently, an Indian worker receives monthly salary of just Nu 1,500 to Nu 2,000 in most hotels in the town. But it is obvious that a Bhutanese would demand a much higher price.

Though the regional immigration office here had started the clampdown on Indian workers as early as 2007, the hotel industry has been so longer resisting it.

Enforcement of the law picked up full steam earlier this year. For instance, all the Indian cobblers left the town some months ago and the number of coolies has been reduced from 73 last year to about 20 at present, according to the immigration sources.

Cobblers, scrap dealers and laundry workers were asked to reside in Dadghari. But they felt discontented and many of them went back home. Most workers in Gelephu are from Rajasthan, West Bengal and Bihar.

Indian nationals holding business licenses registered in Bhutan, however, have been allowed to reside in Gelephu. Currently, Indian nationals hold about 60 per cent of the total trade licenses in Gelephu, with the similar proportion of licenses held by the hoteliers, the officials had disclosed earlier.

There are 138 business license holders in town, of whom, 83 are Indian nationals.

Now, how the business community will cooperate with the enforcement of the order will have to be watched.

By M B Subba in Gelephu in Bhutan Today

ASSAM, BENGAL STRIKES CRIPPLE TRADE IN BHUTAN

2010-01-03T20:49:00.000-08:00

December 21, 2009

Not even a week has passed after people recovered from a series of strikes in Assam that the crucial Gelephu-Samdrup Jongkhar-Phuentsholing road has been blocked again since yesterday morning by another strike.

The 24-hour strike – called by some separatist groups in Assam on December 21 and 22 – has left many vehicles stranded in Gelephu. Hence, it has severely affected transport operators, travellers and the business community.

Oranges from Gelephu depot could not be exported yesterday and the picking of oranges in the orchards has been halted.

The otherwise busy Gelephu auction yard looked deserted. Most of the parties who usually come to the auction are from Assam. Farmers and retailers from Gelephu and Sarpang sell their cash crops like oranges, ginger and cardamom here.

However, the transporters’ loss has been a boon on Gelephu hoteliers. The hoteliers, who otherwise complain of low business, are enjoying a boom this winter.

Travellers, who arrive late afternoon, may not find a hotel room because more of their ilks are already stranded here. “I checked in almost all the hotels here but they are already packed,” a young lady, who fortunately met her old friend in town, told BHUTAN TODAY.

“I was not aware of the strike in Assam and now I am stranded here paying for food and lodging for two extra days,” another traveller heading towards Samdrup Jongkhar said. There should be a public information system through the national media to inform people about a possible strike beforehand, he suggested.

Winter usually boosts the hotel business in Gelephu. But this time the business is very good, a hotelier admitted. A hotel manager Dal Bahadur said the business is ‘good’ this season.

Not only is the highway important for travellers and transport operators alike, it is the lifeline of all the southern districts. Any prolonged strike would dry up supplies of necessary food items like vegetables, fish and grocery items.

About 400 people are estimated to be travelling the Assam route every day.

The India state of West Bengal is also facing the same fate due to the serial strikes. A 24-hour bandh called by anti-Gorkhaland movement groups has also affected Bhutanese.

The strike has come amidst the crucial tripartite talks between the Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha, the central and the state government of Bengal.

Observers say more frequent disruptions on the Assam highway are expected this year. Government and the major political parties have ruled out the formation of separate states in Assam and Bengal, denying the demands of various tribal and militant outfits.

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) General Secretary, Prakash Karat ruled out the formation of separate state of Bodoland in Assam while addressing a political rally in Guwahati on Sunday. But Bodo People’s Front (BPF) is currently ruling the autonomous Bodo Territorial Council (BTC) of Assam.

Similarly, West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadev Bhattacharjee rejected the formation of Gorkhaland ahead of the tripartite talk in Darjeeling scheduled for yesterday, Indian media has reported.

Unfortunately, Assamese politics gets heated mostly in winter, the busiest season of the year for business community and transporters.

While Bhutanese citizens are suffering due to the external political situation, which they have nothing to do with, the issue it seems has caught the least attention of the government of Bhutan. None of the five sessions of parliament have anything to discuss on the issue, which has potential to affect the Bhutanese economy.

The strikes have been triggered by the recent decision of government of India to split Andhra Pradesh to carve out a new state called Telengana. Therefore, trouble riddled Assam, it seems, will continue to suffocate Bhutanese citizens with its continuing political unrest.

Although there is no way that a diplomacy between the two countries could solve the problem, the only way forward to get rid of the impact of Assam strikes is to go ahead with an alternative interior highway, observers say.

By M B Subbain Gelephu in Bhutan Today

Water scarcity at Sarpang resettlements

2010-01-03T20:45:00.000-08:00

Fields have fallen fallow and farmers look for manual work

No flow: A dry tap stand in Umling

21 December, 2009 - The temperature has dropped and the rains that caused streams and rivers to swell and block roads have stopped. It is a perfect winter in Sarpang’s Umling and Tarithang, located at the foothills of the black mountain range. But, at this time of year, water is scarce in the gewogs.

Villagers, mostly resettled from eastern Bhutan, are not happy. The acute shortage of drinking and irrigation water for their winter crops has made them do a rethink. “We could have been happier in our village,” said a villager. The only drinking water source is drying up quicker than they thought, according to villagers.

Not long after many farmers were resettled, the rural water supply connected 124 houses in Rijung and Gaden villages of Umling with drinking water, but today all the taps run dry. Tshogpa Tshering Zangpo said that the water source is lower than the villages and today villagers walk to other villages to fetch water. Although the fields are fertile, some villagers have already left, looking for non-farm work.

“If only there’s enough water, our men won’t have to go out in search of manual work and we could have been self-sufficient,” said a farmer, Sonam Zangmo, 40.

The mother of six said that they buy everything from Gelephu with their fields are becoming fallow. The vast flatlands of the two gewogs are fertile and best suited for paddy cultivation but, without enough water, the residents of the 11 villages in the two gewogs grow maize instead of rice. They plant maize out of an obligation not to leave their fields fallow.

In Tarithang C, not even a single household of 24 houses cultivated paddy. The people of Dungmin in Umling also could not cultivate. In Thongazor and Tashithang, paddy cultivation was discontinued after the heavy monsoon washed away the irrigation channel constructed in 2000. “We request all the officials, who came to our village to do something, but nothing has been done till now,” said a village tshogpa, Tashi.

Gups said that they are aware of the problem and have raised the issue to the dzongkhag. “We’ve received the materials and construction will begin soon,” said Umling gup, Ugyen Norbu. In Tarithang, the gewog prioritised the irrigation channel construction, but the funds were not approved from the department of budget. “People here think that the gewog don’t want to give them water and it’s difficult to convince them,” gup Dorji Wangdi said.

Meanwhile, Gelephu town is also suffering from water shortage for more than a week. Residents say that there is not enough water to wash their faces, forget cleaning. “We’re losing customers as we can’t keep our hotels clean,” said an hotelier.

Gelephu municipal engineer, Chophel Dorji, told Kuensel that the water shortage was caused because two submersible pumps were damaged on November 20. “Since then, we’ve been supplying water through pump,” he said. As of now, water is supplied on a rotation basis.

Chopel Dorji said that residents would have to bear with the rationing until new pumps are procured. He said that the water problem would end once the new water treatment plant starts functioning, which is expected to be by the end of this month.

By Tashi Dema in Kuensel

Solar fence suffers from ownership issues

2010-01-03T00:35:00.000-08:00

Beneficiaries should be enabled to take care of the facility

18 December, 2009 - With farmers in Umling and Tarithang gewogs in Sarpang losing crops and even property to wild animals, especially elephants, the royal Manas national park (RMNP), with assistance from the world wildlife fund (WWF), provided solar fencing not long ago to offset the conflict.

A10.5 km in all solar fencing worth Nu 782,000 was set up along three different stretches. Today, however, the fencing has almost gone to waste. The solar powered fencing, which produces electric current, are defunct. The project was implemented by RMNP against human-wildlife conflict in the park’s buffer area.

The energisers, which locals refer to as batteries, are down, while the wires are damaged. In Rijung, Umling and Tarithang C, several metres of the wires were stolen, according to residents.

According to the Umling gup, Ugyen Norbu, the first 4.46 km solar fencing was set up in 2003 and it really benefited the local residents. “It helped to curb the elephant menace,” he said.

During the insurgency, the fence wires were stolen and damaged and since then it has not been restored, according to the gup. “The park provided us with another fencing at Tashithang in 2007,” the gup said. “That machine got damaged and we’re waiting for the park officials to repair it.”

However, the solar fencing in Tarithang, provided in March 2008, had functioned for only a month, according to Tarithang residents. The Tarithang gup told Kuensel that the solar fence was damaged after the army, on their patrol, disconnected the wires to get their vehicle through. “The machine operator started the machine without checking it, and the circuits got damaged,” he said.

Meanwhile, RMNP is in the process of replacing the solar fences in Tarithang. Wooden posts were replaced by iron ones with concrete support and the park has proposed a budget to replace and repair the one in Rijung.

But observers say that it will be of no use even if it repaired and replaced if no one shoulders the responsibility to take care of the facility. “It’s a wastage of funds,” said an official.

Park officials say that it is the responsibility of the villagers to take care of the fencing as beneficiaries. But locals say that, without any proper training, it is difficult to maintain it.

According to an RMNP official, Sangay Tenzin, for conservation activity to succeed, local support is a must. “They (gewog officials) should have taken action when the earlier one was damaged, but they didn’t do anything,” he said. “For how long will the park go on monitoring it?”

For farmers, the solar fencing is indispensable since they depend on subsistence farming for livelihood and an elephant attack can destroy the whole crop in a single night. “The solar fencing really helped us and park should look into our problem to repair it,” said a resident, Tashi.

By Tashi Dema in Kuensel

Maokhola – The three-month boomtown

2010-01-03T00:32:00.000-08:00

Orange season sees these Gelephu river banks spring to night-life

TENTED TOWNSHIP Busier than Gelephu at night, business is booming as is urban blight

17 December, 2009 - Quite and secluded most part of the year, the banks of Maokhola become a hive of activity come winter. It is already 9 pm and most of the Gelephu residents have retired to their bedrooms or TV rooms. On the left bank of the river, it seems like day has just broken.

The bank of the river, especially the left bank, is filled with makeshift huts, inhabited by temporary business people. With music blaring from portable music players, women are busy washing pots and pans. Not far from them, workers for the depots are packing their last boxes of oranges to be exported to Bangladesh the next day. By 10 pm, the huts are cramped with both workers, students on holidays and even civil servants from Gelephu.

The night is the time for the tired workers to relax with beer and rum. To some it is a gambling place and to others, a place to hang out. “It’s a nice place to hang out after a hectic day in office,” said a civil servant, who had come with his friends. Drinks are also much cheaper here than in Gelephu town.

The pleasant winter is an added advantage. There is no curfew or timings for bars to close. For three months, from November to January, it becomes the commercial hub for workers in the orange depots. It all started when a few huts catered to hungry and tired truck drivers and workers. As the orange business picked up, the small temporary settlement expanded and drew more people. Today, for three months, it is busier than Gelephu at night.

Business is lucrative, according to shopkeepers and bar owners. “I earn about Nu 1,500 to Nu 3,000 a night,” said a 25-year-old young businesswoman. They earn more during weekends when more people gather.

The temporary settlement, however, has also started experiencing problems.

Although rape or “night hunting” is not reported yet, two groups of students were seen fighting on the night of December 14. “We use bamboo fences by 11:30 pm, so that the people don’t come here and create nuisance,” said a depot owner, Gopilal.

Observers in Gelephu say that soon there will be many problems, as most of the workers in the depot were women, some as young as 16. “Most men go to the place to check out the girls and try their luck for sexual adventures,” said a businesswoman in Gelephu. “It’s the time of the year when young innocent girls gets exploited by civil servants and business people,” she said.

By Tashi Dema in Kuensel

Anti-poaching mandate for army

2010-01-03T00:31:00.000-08:00

Wildlife crimefighters Security personnel at the NCD/WWF workshop in Gelephu

15 December, 2009 - The nature conservation division is seeking the help of the royal Bhutan army to prevent poaching and help farmers save crops and property from wild animals.

“Armies can apprehend poachers and hand them over to the forest department,” said the division’s forest officer, Sonam Wangdi, to about 60 army and three police personnel, who attended a awareness campaign on poaching and illegal wildlife trade activities in Gelephu on December 14.

He said that, in Gelephu, where elephant rampage is common, armed forces could help forest officials to drive away wild animals while on patrol. “Informing the forest officials of approaching animals will prevent human-wildlife conflict. It’s easier than tackling the conflict.”

One of the major activities under the anti-poaching program phase III funded by WWF Bhutan, the awareness campaign for law enforcement agencies is expected to reduce wildlife crimes, according to NCD officials.

Am army patrolling team apprehended one illegal timber extractor in 2009 and three in 2008 in the royal Manas national park (RMNP).

Armed forces in Gelephu and forest officials of RMNP conduct joint anti-poaching patrols along the border to control illegal activities, such as hunting, logging, and harvesting forest products in the park.

“Poaching of endangered animals, export and import of wildlife material, smuggling by concealing wildlife products, and smuggling prohibited wildlife items to another place, where such restriction don’t exist, constitute wildlife crime,” said NCD’s anti-poaching coordinator, Norbu Wangdi.

Norbu Wangdi explained the penalties for killing and smuggling of endangered species. “If a person kills a tiger, he’ll be penalised with three components of penalties as per forest and nature conservation rules, 2006,” he said. “He’ll have to pay the sale proceed (market value of the item), in compensation, which is equivalent to 100 percent of the sale proceed and penalty for breaching the conservation rule, which can go up to maximum of Nu 50,000.”

A RMNP ranger, Yeshi, said that, since illegal activities had increased this year, it’s most appropriate for the army and forest officials to work together. “It’s unsafe for foresters to travel alone,” he said.

The awareness campaign was educative, according to Gelephu’s wing commander, Rinzin Dorji. “We assure that army will give full support to conserve.”

Manas park was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1966, and upgraded to a national park in 1993. The park has a vast diversity of tropical grasslands, temperate moist forests, alpine meadows, and scrublands. Among a variety of species, the park holds about 58 species of mammals, 427 species of birds and 900 species of vascular plants.

By Tashi Dema in Kuensel

Govt to subsidise transport on non-profitable routes

2010-01-03T00:27:00.000-08:00

14 December 2009

Most routes that haven’t seen buses will soon have transportat services available with the recent government approval to subsidize the operation of bus services on non-profitable routes in the country.

The government will bear the interest on loans taken by the willing operators to buy transport bus(es) while the principal amount will be paid by the operators themselves.

The most likely arrangement to be approved, according to the Director for Road Safety and Transport Authority, Tashi Norbu, would be 30:70 percent, where 30 percent of the cost shall be borne by the operators and the interest on rest will be taken up by the government.

The very same scheme, which was applied in the past, failed owing to small numbers of commuters. Since it stopped in 2007, no private entrepreneurs have shown any interest to take up business in non-profitable routes owing to high cost of operation and low return.

The Director said how the scheme would work is yet to be seen. To maximize profit, the operators would be allowed to charge higher fares, a little more than the normal fares, if road conditions are bad.

The need for such services was felt for the convenience of the people, particularly in the rural areas. Most of the remote gewogs today do not have transport services. The roads are mostly rough feeder roads.

“Hiring vehicles has become very expensive for me but I don’t have any choice as my family lives in Samdrup Jongkhar,” said a businessman from Lhuentse, adding that a cheaper transport arrangement would be a blessing.

However, whether all the non-profitable routes will have bus services would depend on the number of proposals that come forth. “We have already received some proposals through the regional transport offices,” said Tashi Norbu.

Today, there are less than 10 non-profitable routes in the country, mostly from Samdrup Jongkhar to nearby dzongkhags. Chances are that places like Pemagatshel will not have bus services because of people being dependent on gypsum trucks that ferry people on a regular basis.

Although it was decided that the subsidy would come into effect from the next financial year, the Director said it could be implemented immediately provided that proposals come through. “It’s not necessary to wait – we can request the government,” he said.

The Ministry of Information and Communications has requested the Finance Ministry to approve the proposals so that the operators could start the procurement process. The ministry, so far, has received two proposals, one for a bus service between Samdrup Jongkhar and Trashiyangtse and the other between Sarpang and Singye Gewog.

According to Tashi Norbu, there has to be only about Nu 0.3 to 0.5 million annually as loan interest, which won’t have huge financial implication on the government.

Subsidy is included as an activity in the 10th five-year plan. Meanwhile, bus operation between Samdrup Jongkhar and Phuentsholing highway, that was stopped in 2000, will resume soon.

The government will bear the interest on loans taken by the willing operators to buy transport bus(es) while the principal amount will be paid by the operators themselves.

According to Tashi Norbu, there has to be only about Nu 0.3 to 0.5 million annually as loan interest, which won’t have huge financial implication on the government.

Subsidy is included as an activity in the 10th five-year plan. Meanwhile, bus operation between Samdrup Jongkhar and Phuentsholing highway, that was stopped in 2000, will resume soon.

By Sonam Pelden in Bhutan Observer

Children overworked

2010-01-03T00:26:00.000-08:00

12 December 2009

Child workers work far beyond the time and day limits set by the Labour and Employment Act, according to a study conducted by National Commission for Women and Children (NCWC).

The child labour study, which was conducted by sampling 650 child labourers between 6 and 14 years of age from six dzongkhags – two each from three regions – in the country, found that 37 percent of the children worked between eight and a half hours to 12 hours, and 20 percent worked for more than 12 hours a day. Eighty-nine percent of them started work before 8 am.

Ninety-three percent of children worked for six days a week, with majority of them in the agriculture and service sector reportedly working seven days a week, the study revealed.

Kesang, 13, from Trashigang, works as a domestic helper in Thimphu. “I work the whole day, even at night sometimes,” she said.

Similarly, Karna, 14, from Sarpang, who works in a workshop at Olarongchu in Thimphu, said he went to work at 7 am and returned home at 7 pm. Some 14.3 percent of the children surveyed were below the minimum age of 13 years qualifying them as child labourers.

Ninety percent of the children did not attend schools, according to the study, and the most common reason stated was poverty, family break-up and census problems.

Diverging from common thinking, the study found out that majority of the child labourers were reportedly happy in their profession and had not experienced any hardships or inconveniences. However, most regretted not having completed school and missing out the opportunity of availing a better job.

Most children were found working in service sectors (domestic helpers, hotels) and the agriculture sector. None of the sectors paid the children according to the prescribed daily minimum wage, the study found out.

The average salary for a month, according to their age, ranged from Nu 685 for children less than 10 years of age, Nu 1,238 for those between 10 and 15 years and Nu 2,078 for 15 to 18 years of age.

Most of the children were employed in the industry and services sector by a middleman.

In the agriculture sector, children took up farming mainly to help their families in the absence of adequate farm hands.

There were only a few cases where children actually went to seek employment in agriculture. Bhutan is not a member of the International Labour Organization and has not ratified the minimum age and the worst forms of child labour which protects children against child labour.

NCWC is the lead agency that works to promote and protect children and women in the country.

By Tandin Pem in Bhutan Observer

PRODUCTION DOWN BY 40%, MANDARIN EXPORTS HIT

2010-01-03T00:24:00.000-08:00

Blame it on climate change or an outbreak of the huanglongbing disease, but this year the export of mandarin to Bangladesh or India is not up to the mark or expectation as compared to the 2008-2009 season. Barely 1,000 trucks have been sent to India and Bangladesh so far, traders say, and business is tardy.

The year 2008-2009 saw record exports of mandarin: 23,198.08 metric tonnes (mt) were exported to Bangladesh while for India the figure was 4,296.471 mt, taking the total to 27,496.55 mt.

In fact, barring 2006, mandarin exports have been steadily increasing since 2001. But the season this year may not be so fruitful, traders feel, because of a drop in production.

The total mandarin exported till November 28 to Bangladesh has been only 579.743 mt, while to India it is 72.868 mt.

Mandarin export for this season officially began from November 15 and will continue till mid March next year.

In a telephonic interview with BHUTAN TODAY, Galey Nima, President of Export Association said: “Last year, the export was very good but this year it is not up to the expectations. Production has been hit, may be due to an outbreak of huanglongbing or due to early fruiting. This year, there was 40 to 50 per cent decrease in production. With the Bangladeshi government reducing the import duty tax on 18 Bhutanese products from 50 per cent to 15 per cent, the mandarin export next year could have been very profitable.”

But that is perhaps not to be, it seems now.

He further added: “Last year, mandarin yield was very good. Besides, with kind support from the Ministry of Agriculture, and with the Agriculture Marketing Services sponsoring farmers and exporters for a marketing tour to Bangladesh, we had managed to exploit 38 new importers, making a total of almost 60 plus importers. This had generated competition amongst them, fetching us higher prices.”

Areas under mandarin plantation had seen a hailstorm and other natural events this year during the flowering season, leading to a fall in production, growers from the mandarin growing areas.

However, despite the export glut, the available mandarin in the market is fetching good prices. In Thimphu one mandarin is selling for Nu 5, whereas last year the farmers sold two fruits for the same price.

Beside India and Bangladesh, Bhutan does not export mandarin to any other country as of now due to lack of transport infrastructure, but the Export Association is in the process of negotiating with other countries, officials said.

Chhukha, Samtse, Tsirang, Sarpang, Dagana, Pemagatshel, Samdrup Jongkhar, Zhemgang, Mongar are the prime mandarin producing districts, but the Sarpang products are the best in the country.

Last year, the total number of exporters who took part in the trade was around 30, but this year the number has increased to 34.

The exporters are looking forward to the next season to begin and hope to make good profit.

India has its own mandarin plantations in northern states like Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal and Jammu & Kashmir. Nepal too exports mandarin to India. But the Bangladesh market depends entirely on Bhutan’s mandarin, as the latter is the nearest exporting country.

By Chencho Dema in Thimphu in Bhutan Today

Low yield but promising season

2010-01-03T00:21:00.000-08:00

7 December 2009

Despite the relatively poor mandarin yield this year, Bhutanese exporters are optimistic of good business this season.

More than 100 truckloads of mandarin from Phuentsholing, Samdrup Jongkhar, Gelephu and Nganglam have been exported to Bangladesh since November 15.

Lungpa Tandin, the Secretary General of the Bhutan Exporters Association (BEA), said that, although the yield is poorer this season, it would not have major impact on the business. “Looking at the trend over the last five years, I hope the export would reach at least 20,000 mt this year.”

The present market price fluctuates between 15 and 17 US$, according to BEA.

Exporters say one of the reasons for the high market price was due to the poorer yield this season. The floor prices were fixed between US$ 7 and US$ 9 this season owing to the impact of the global economic crisis.

Yeshey, a supplier from Jabana, who has been in the business for the last 10 years, has supplied some 60 DCM truckloads of mandarin from Tsirang. She said that in the last season, she had a turnover of Nu 600,000. “This season, although the yield is a little poorer, I am expecting to earn around Nu 100, 000,” she said. A supplier of Peling Export said the yield this year had dwindled by 15 to 20 percent. But he said business would be good as the market price had increased owing to poor yields.

Langa Dorji, owner of Pin Nga Exports, has so far exported the highest number of truckloads of mandarin to Bangladesh. “Usually I used to send about two truckloads before the Muslim festival of Eid but this year I have already sent 10 trucks.” According to him, in December, the demand for mandarin was high due to which prices skyrocket but by January, the price drops.

Lungpa said that till date, some 20 new importers from Bangladesh have registered with the association. “Even after Eid, I am expecting the same number of importers to register with us,” he said.

Exploring a new strategy

This year, Langa Dorji planned a new strategy to enhance collective benefit for all parties involved in the trade.

He has declared his market rate between US$ 13 and US$ 15 and intends to keep the rates consistent throughout the season. He said he would also not take any commission from suppliers.

Langa said there has been a trend where petty importers from India bought mandarin from farmers at low rates and exported it from Bhutan at higher rates in the name of Bhutanese exporters.

He said the petty Indian importers bought small-sized mandarin at Nu 30 to Nu 35 a pon (80 numbers) and big-sized mandarin at Nu 80 to Nu 90 a pon. And to add to that, he said they also took commission.

“I pay farmers Nu 100 to Nu 200 a pon, and I have decided not to take commissions,” said Langa, adding that in doing so, it would be a win-win situation for all parties involved.

Such a practice, Langa said, would be good for long-term business prospects and would ensure smooth supply as keeping the price consistent would attract more importers and would benefit the farmers as well.

According to Langa, paying the farmers better would also help curb fronting as it would discourage them from selling it to petty Indian importers at a low price.

This season, the regional department of employment has also tied up with the exporters in order to employ youth at the mandarin depots.

According to the BEA, some 36 unemployed youth have already started working at the depots.

By Pushkar Chhetri in Bhutan Observer

A woman commits suicides in Sarpang

2010-01-03T00:20:00.000-08:00

By Lam Chencho

in THIMPHU:

A woman committed suicide by hanging herself from a tree in Sarpang on December 3.

The Sarpang police was informed of the incident by the gup of Dekiling Geog, Gomchen, and the detailed investigation revealed that Purni Maya had hung herself nfrom a mongo tree by using a nylon rope. No external injuries were found on her body.

While questioning the husband of the deceased, Rangala Ghimirey, he told the police that his wife had been very normal and was working the whole day in their paddy field. He said that towards the evening she had complained of a headache.

At around 8 pm they had gone to bed. However, that night she went twice to the toilet saying that she had a stomach disorder.

The second time she went to the toilet was at around 2 am and the husband did not know whether she had come back or not, as he had fallen asleep. It was only in the morning at around 6 am that he realised his wife was not in bed.

He thought she might have gone to the toilet, as the light in the toilet was still on, and called her, but there were no response. She was nowhere to be found in the house, so he called his son, who was sleeping in the paddy field, and checked if she had gone there, but she was not there either. After that he started searching for her in the nearby areas and at around 7 am, he found her hanging from a tree. She was already dead by then.

Foul play has been ruled out by the police. The body of deceased was handed over to Rangala Ghimirey in the presence of Assistant Clinical Officer, Sarpang Hospital and Dekiling gup after completion of all the formalities.

From Bhutan Today

Suicide in Sarpang

2010-01-03T00:18:00.000-08:00

4 December 2009

Another married woman committed suicide in Sarpang, 18 days after a 25-year-old married woman hanged herself from a tree.

Purni Maya committed suicide by hanging herself from a mango tree, 100 metres below her house.

Police have found that she had hanged herself from a mango tree using a rope. On December 2, she had worked in the paddy field the whole day and later complained of headache. After dinner, she and her husband had gone to bed when she got up at 1 am to go to the toilet.

At 2 am, she went out again after which he was not sure if she came back or not because at 6:30 am, he woke up to find her missing.

He started searching the nearby area. At around 7 am, he saw the deceased hanging from a mango tree.

By Tandin Pem in Bhutan Observer

DHI diversifies into dolomite mining

2010-01-03T00:15:00.000-08:00

Not for export but the manufacture of value-added magnesium

4 December, 2009 - Druk holdings and investment (DHI) is planning to enter the mining sector in a big way. They have applied for two dolomite mines in Pagli and Kalesore in Samtse, with an initial investment estimated at Nu 2 to 3 billion.

DHI, however, will not look at exporting dolomite, but use it as a raw material to make finished magnesium to cater to large markets like India. The annual requirement of magnesium in India is around 12,000 metric tones (MT). The venture, if successful, will be Bhutan’s largest mining operation.

Around 60 percent of the world’s magnesium is currently produced by China, and the current market rate is at around USD 2,500 an MT. Bhutan’s advantage is the availability of electricity, dolomite and ferro silicon, which are needed in large quantities to produce magnesium.

Sources say that DHI would look at getting partners for the technology or marketing component of the project.

Magnesium is the third most commonly used structural metal, following iron and aluminum. It is also used as an alloy and in the agricultural, chemical and construction and car industries. Due to low weight, good mechanical and electrical properties, magnesium is widely used in the manufacture of mobile phones, laptop computers, cameras, and other electronic components.

Magnesium was earlier mainly extracted from seawater by the USA but that changed from 2005 onwards, with China and other countries following the ‘Pidgeon process’ to extract magnesium from dolomite. DHI is looking at using a similar model.

However, the quantity and quality of dolomite available in these mines and how much surplus electricity can be spared for the project to kick start would be a challenge.

Meanwhile, Bhutan carbide and chemical limited (BCCL) has also applied for a captive dolomite mine in Kalesore about two years ago. The feasibility report had been done but, with no further movement for some time, the department of geology and mines had sent a letter last week asking for BCCL’s status.

BCCL said that they are interested and plan to use the dolomite mines to produce silicon manganese, an alloy used in the steel industry. The only problem for BCCL currently is that silicon manganese prices are not very high due to the global recession.

The current and only major player in dolomite is Jigme mining, which won an auction at Nu 395m for the Chunai Khola dolomite mines in Samtse, which is expected to last 37 years. However, the company only exports dolomite as a mineral with no value addition.

DGM geologist says that Bhutan is thought to have substantial reserves of dolomite, much of which is yet to be explored.

DHI’s latest move is an indication of the increasing interesst shown by the holding company in the mining sector. DHI is still in negotiations with American businessman J Matthew Fifield and his associates, who has sought mineral exploration rights for the whole of Bhutan, after which he would get a group of American investors to invest in Bhutan’s mining sector. Oil in the Bangtar area under Samdrupjongkhar dzongkhag, copper, gold and silver in the black mountain area of central Bhutan and tungsten in Sarpang are the potential minerals.

By Tenzing Lamsang in Kuensel

Mobile PCO of Gelephu: cheap calls to India

2010-01-03T00:14:00.000-08:00

By M B Subba

in GELEPHU

Gelephu residents until recently went to Dadghari, a small town outside the border to make a call to India at the local rate there. But with the introduction of a mobile PCO in the town, calls to India can be made at a very cheap rate from within the town.

The new service, which has found immense popularity among both the residents and Indian nationals working here, has been possible using Indian SIM card in the cell phone. “It is saving time and money because we do not have to go to Dadghari to make a call in India,” a Gelephu resident said.

“It was very costly to make a call to my children studying in India at the international rate and I used to go to Dadghari most often,” said BB Rai. “The frequent strikeS in Dadghari was also anotherproblem.” But all that has been solved now.

The service provider, Mahesh, is most of the time found hanging around near the old taxi parking, as his cell phone catches the network from there. He says a recharge of Rs.1,000 voucher lasts for three months.

The mobile PCO run by the Indian national working in a private firm in Gelephu provides the service at the rate of Nu.2 per minute. Making a call to India would otherwise costs Nu.5 in Dadghari and Nu.10 per minute in Gelephu through landline connection.

To make the service at the cheapest possible rate, Mahesh has launched a power card in his SIM. Power card is a package, after purchase of which makes the call rate through cell phones cheaper.

From Bhutan Today

National Assembly deliberations this week

2010-01-03T00:13:00.000-08:00

27 November 2009

Monday

Second Reading on the Standards Bill of Bhutan 2009

Minister for Works and Human Settlement highlighted the establishment of Bhutan Standards Bureau in order to assure the quality standard of goods. Most members emphasized that the bureau should function autonomously.

The house also deliberated on quality standard. The bill has been referred to the Private Sector Development Committee for further deliberation. Second Reading on the Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan (Amendment) Bill 2009 Extensive deliberation took place on whether the word “royal” should be used in the existing title of the act. Finance Minister and many members submitted that the word be retained.

Finance Minister submitted that it was better to table the bill as a new one. However, a member said that, if the bill was tabled as new one, there should be a clear section in the bill stating that the 1982 RMA Act was repealed. The bill has been referred to the Public Accounts Committee for further deliberation.

Tuesday

Question Hour

The member from Lhamoizingkha- Trashiding submitted if it was possible for the government to establish police outposts in bordering gewogs of his constituency. Home Minister responded that since the ministry was in touch with the Indian counterparts on security issues, there is no requirement of police outposts in the constituency.

It was resolved that a report be submitted to the house.

Second Reading on the Tobacco Control Bill 2009 Health Minister submitted that, while adopting the bill, tobacco control in the country should be maintained as before. Foreign Minister proposed that other forms of drug be included in the bill.

Deliberation on the endorsement of list of thromde.

Works and Human Settlement Minister presented the list of three categories of thromde – category A, B and yenlag thromde. Category A include Thimphu, Phuentsholing and Gelephu, category B, one thromde in each dzongkhag headquarters and eight small towns as yenlag thromde. Opposition Leader, however, said it was too early to deliberate on thromde as His Majesty had not assented the Local Government Bill 2009.

Wednesday

Continued deliberation on list of thromde.

The house deliberated on the establishment of yenlag thromde at length. Works and Human Settlement Minister submitted that while establishing thromde, population and the prospect of business should be considered.

The Speaker held that deliberation on thromdes would be resumed if His Majesty assented the Local Government Bill during the current session.

Third Reading on the Standards Bill of Bhutan 2009

The Opposition Leader reiterated that it was important to clarify whether the Bhutan Standards Bureau would be overseeing the standards in other ministries including occupational standards.

Works and Human Settlement Minister said the bureau could not oversee standards in every sector. The house resolved that Bhutan Standards Bureau would be an autonomous body instead of a corporate as stated in the bill and that the chairperson shall be a minister of a relevant ministry.

Thursday

Continued deliberation on the Standards Bill 2009

The house resolved to retain the title as Bhutan Standards Bill after deliberating on Bhutan Standards Bureau Bill. The Bill will be adopted today. Third reading of the Royal Monitory Authority (Amendment) Bill 2009 The house re-deliberated on the bill and resolved to retain ‘Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan’ as the title.

The house also resolved that the bill would be tabled as a new bill instead of an amendment. The house saw deliberation on the establishment of tribunal to resolve conflicts between financial institutions.

Deliberating on the appointment of the chairperson of the board, some members asked whether the governor and the chairperson should be the same person. The Opposition Leader said that there might be differences in opinion if the chairperson and the governor are two different people.

The house also deliberated on the appointment of members to the board. The member from Goenkhatoe-Laya constituency said that if the chairperson of the board and the governor are appointed by the government, it may undermine checks and balances.

The Works and Human Settlement Minister, however, submitted that RMA needed to consult the government regarding policies to avoid any financial and other monetary related problems.

The deliberation on the bill resumes today.

Monday

Second Reading on the Standards Bill of Bhutan 2009

Tuesday

Question Hour

It was resolved that a report be submitted to the house.

Deliberation on the endorsement of list of thromde.

Wednesday

Continued deliberation on list of thromde.

The Speaker held that deliberation on thromdes would be resumed if His Majesty assented the Local Government Bill during the current session.

Third Reading on the Standards Bill of Bhutan 2009

The Opposition Leader reiterated that it was important to clarify whether the Bhutan Standards Bureau would be overseeing the standards in other ministries including occupational standards.

Thursday

Continued deliberation on the Standards Bill 2009

The Works and Human Settlement Minister, however, submitted that RMA needed to consult the government regarding policies to avoid any financial and other monetary related problems.

The deliberation on the bill resumes today.

From Bhutan Observer

Indian transporters taking away Bhutanese bread

2010-01-03T00:10:00.000-08:00

This has reference to the story “Indian transporters taking away Bhutanese bread” published on 24 November, 2009 issue of Bhutan Today.

Indian trucks do not transport goods within Bhutan as stated; if so, the highways of the interior parts of the country would have been seeing lots of Indian trucks. On the contrary, even if some one has perfect vision it may be difficult to spot any except in places where mega projects are going on. It may be mentioned that Indian trucks are permitted to enter till the border towns with their goods and also carry back materials from these border towns to Indian cities.

Large fleet of Indian trucks may be seen at border towns like Phuentsholing, Gelephu, Gomtu and Samdrup Jongkhar due to the available industries in these areas. However, the Road Safety & Transport Authority (RSTA) have been discouraging these major companies to engage Indian trucks between Bhutan to Bhutan destinations despite their concern that Bhutanese trucks are not enough and costly too.

Further, there had been power projects in the past like Kurichu, Tala and Chhukha and the system followed was to encourage Bhutanese trucks for internal movement of goods and lifting of goods from bordering Bhutanese towns. However, those trucks/trailers carrying fragile and non-fragmentable equipment and goods were permitted till the project site. Also a few ordinary trucks and specific Indian trucks belonging to those Indian contractors were permitted to complete the time bound projects.

As far as the Indians owning trucks in the name of Bhutanese is concerned, it seems it is a collusion between the duo. As per the RSTA regulations, “The Authority must not register a vehicle in the name of non-Bhutanese even if he has a business or employment in Bhutan, except where the vehicle is meant for his personal use and not used for business or in the course of trade or business.”

Accordingly, RSTA does not register taxis and trucks in the name of non-Bhutanese. The outright solution in this case would be to charge the individual, if any, to the court of law, by the truckers association as per the penal code of Bhutan as it is a deception.

Going by the record, the RSTA, Gelephu has permitted three trucks of MS. Shyama Power Private Limited, a contractor of Bhutan Power Corporation, as requested by BPC. RSTA Phuentsholing has endorsed/issued permit to 25 trucks and trailers, belonging to three contract parties, namely, HCC, L&T and Gammon, engaged for special purpose or carrying fragile and non-fragmentable goods to various mega projects.

Therefore, this is to inform that Bhutanese trucks are always given the priority and definitely government would have plans to further strengthen this in near future as the mega projects start.

Loknath Sharma,

Sr. Regional Transport officer,

RSTA, Gelephu.

From Bhutan Today

Learning to make latrines

2010-01-03T00:09:00.000-08:00

A TIGHT SQUEEZE Latrines in current use are either too small or too far away

26 November, 2009 - Zow Yongba, 62, a carpenter from Nanong gewog in Pemagatshel, travelled nine hours by bus to Autso in Lhuentse and then walked for another five hours to get to Jarey gewog.

Twelve others from his gewog also took the same journey to attend a 12–day training on sanitation and latrine construction, which ends on December 2. Of the 35 carpenters and masons attending, 22 are from Jarey.

The masons and carpenters, after theoretical lessons in the morning, are constructing four different types of latrines to be showcased to public during the first sanitation fair, which will be held from December 2- 5 at Lhadrong, Jarey gewog. These are the ventilated pit latrine, the ventilated double pit latrine, the pour-flush with off-set twin pit and the pour-flush with septic tank.

“Although we have carpentry skills, there are new concepts and ideas I’m learning from this training,” said Zow Yongba. “I’m hearing of a double pit latrine for the first time.”

The carpenters are being oriented on the latrine door with respect to wind, installation of vent pipe, hand-washing facilities and depth of pit.

HYGIENE TECHNOLOGY 35 masons and carpenters pick up new skills

The training of carpenters and masons is a follow up of the community sanitation and demand creation (CSDC) workshop according to water and sanitation specialist Karma Tenzin with SNV Bhutan, which is providing the technical assistance. SNV Bhutan is currently intervening in rural sanitation and piloting in four gewogs of Sarpang, Laya, Pemagatshel and Lhuentse dzongkhags.

“The training hopes to create a demand for better and sustainable hygiene and practice and adopting appropriate, affordable and sustainable sanitation solutions, using both locally available and imported materials,” said Karma Tenzin.

Karma Tenzin said that, although a majority of households have some sort of latrine, not many are functioning as they should. Most latrines do not have vent pipe to curb the problem of bad smell and flies, while some latrines are constructed far away from the house. Some latrines are very small in size making it difficult for users.

Once completed, these latrines will be handed over to their respective owners, who contributed the material for construction.

By Staff Repoter in Kuensel

Land pooling, pulling on

2010-01-03T00:08:00.000-08:00

25 November 2009

Although urban development plans were supposed to have been executed a long time back, local area plans for only four dzongkhags of Thimphu, Trashignag, Samtse and Gelephu are ready with the implementation of land pooling technique.

This is primarily because of lack of relevant legislation and the earlier practice of private land acquisition which was unpopular among land owners.

However, the Land Pooling Rules of 2009 is expected to ensure better urban planning and development because land pooling ensures that planning benefits are equally shared. With the earlier system, mobilization of land for urban areas was expensive and difficult.

In the past, land was acquired for urban development like for Bajo town in Wangdue, Dekiling in Bumthang, and Khuruthang in Punakha. Now the government is increasingly pursuing land pooling technique although the old system cannot be completely dropped.

“Today, where plans are prepared, people usually agree with the land pooling,” said the Director of Department of Urban Development and Engineering Services (DUDES), Rinchen Dorji. He said complications mainly surfaced in Thimphu Taba area. The Chief Urban Planner of Thimphu City Corporation, Geley Norbu, said most landowners now understood the benefits of land pooling. Lands are pooled and developed with basic facilities that can be accessed by everyone in the community. “Rather than losing their property, their land value will increase,” he explained.

Today, there are only seven professional urban planners in the country. And it might be difficult to get more people because of the zero growth policy of the Royal Civil Service Commission.

Land pooling technique was first implemented in Rangjung, Trashigang, on a total area of 32 acres. Plans are also prepared for Gelephu in Sarpang, Damphu in Samtse and some parts in Mongar. The technique will be followed in rest of the country. A thromde considers land pooling if it has received written notification from two-thirds of the owners of plots in the area.

All landowners contribute not more than 30 percent of the total land holdings to provide area required for land infrastructure and amenities. In this way, the government saves resources required for land acquisition and the land owners retain their land whose value is enhanced.

An area of land may be considered for pooling if it is in the urban area of a thromde and if the area of developed plots comprises not more than 25 percent of the area of all of the plots. Land not within the urban area could also be pooled if the thromde considers it suitable for future expansion of the urban area.

If a land owner fails to give support for the implementation of a land pooling scheme, the thromde will acquire the plot in accordance with the Land Act of 2007.

By Sonam Pelden in Bhutan Observer

Absence of playground hampers cricket

2010-01-03T00:07:00.000-08:00

24 November 2009

The lack of a proper cricket playground is an impediment to improvement and promotion of cricket in the country, according to officials of Bhutan cricket federation.

“If we had a playground like other sports, we could invite teams from abroad to play in our country since going outside to play for exposure is expensive and difficult.

Playing more matches will improve the performance of players. They will be able to tackle various situations better,” said the General Secretary of the cricket federation, Jigme Norbu.

He said that since the players practice on nets and not in open fields, when they go outside, they have difficulty adjusting in the open field thus affecting their performance.

But despite the difficulties, the performance of the cricketers has improved, he added. The Bhutanese cricket team has participated in 15 international matches and managed to bring home four runners-up prizes in seven years though they do not have a proper playground for training and matches.

In April next year, the men’s senior team will participate in ACC Trophy Elite in Kuwait. In September, the under-19 girls will play in ACC under-19 Women’s Championship and the under-16 boys will play in ACC Challenge in July for the first time in Malaysia. The senior men’s team have already started practising but the players for under-19 women and under-16 boys are yet to be selected because all the players are students who are presently doing their examinations.

“It is difficult to retain senior players because once they complete class XII they either go to India for higher studies or tend to drift away from cricket,” said Jigme Norbu.

The cricket federation organises school cricket matches in Thimphu, Paro and Gelephu so that they can select potential players and groom them to become national players.

They will extend the school cricket programme to Wangdue and Punakha next year. They tried to implement it in Chhukha but was unsuccessful because of far-flung schools.

Since the federation has only full time five coaches in Thimphu, during the school cricket seasons, they give some incentives to the national players to go as coaches in various schools.