Two-year deferment sought on domestic air service

Transcription

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KUENSEL
EL
T H AT T H E P E O P L E S H A L L B E I N F O R M E D
S E P T E M B E R 2 7 " ( & ' * D k ' &
BRIEFLY
 Kungfu
A cultural troupe from the People’s Republic of
China will perform ‘Chinese Shaolin Kungfu’
at Royal Institute of Management, Thimphu
on September 27, 28 and 29. Led by culture
counselor Zhang Zhihong from embassy of China
in New Delhi and China International Culture
Association and the Henan provincial cultural
department officials, the event aims to promote
people-to-people contact and friendly relations
between the two countries.
What
What’s
Inside
Pg.3: Trashigang records almost
threefold hike in alcohol liver cases
Pg.11: The ambulance man - Beyond
the call of BHU duty
Pg.17: A man with a mission in the
mountains
Pg.19: Religious bodies’ dress codes
to be formalised
Preparation: Monks of Yongphula goenpa perform a fire ceremony as they prepare to
relocate the 56-year-old chorten which was dismantled to make way for the Yongphula
airstrip (Story on Pg.8)
Two-year deferment sought
on domestic air service
The private airline has appealed on grounds of lack of infrastructure and commercial viability
FOCUS
OCU
The private company, which operates subsidiary Bhutan Airlines,
Tashi Air Pvt. Ltd has appealed to has requested for a two-year deferthe government to defer a requirement.
ment for it to recommence domestic
Tashi Air was allowed to suspend its domestic services
air services by next
TASHIAIR in June 2012, so that it would
month.
Gyalsten K Dorji | Thimphu
be able to commence international
services. An agreement was made
that the airline would recommence
domestic services one year after its
first international flight, which occurred on October 9 last year.
Pg.2
Matter does not merit battling in
the court: Dasho Benji
Tashi Dema | Thimphu
Dasho Paljor J Dorji, in response to
Druk Phuensum Tshogpa’s court
petition that DPT must resign en
bloc if found to be
robbing the coun- DPT
try blind, alleged that DPT does
not hesitate to hold the nation at
ransom, by threatening to resign
whenever they do not get their way.
In a press release issued last
night via email, Dasho Benji
claimed that DPT made such
threats to resign en masse, or to dissolve the party about four times.
“Such threats of democratic desertions are treasonous to the very
spirit of our democracy, of which
DPT is an integral part,” the press
release stated. Pg.18
HOME
PAGE 2 KUENSEL | Saturday, September 27, 2014
Two-year deferment sought on domestic air service
From Pg.1
There are two main reasons
being offered by the airline for
its appeal.
The airline has asked that
it be allowed to reenter the domestic market only after all three
domestic airports are open for
flight operations. Only one of
three are currently operational.
The airline is pointing out that,
while the domestic sector is
already unprofitable for one
airline, having both operate to
the only available airport will
exasperate the problem.
Yonphula airport in Trashigang will shortly be undergoing major structural changes,
which could take up to two
years to complete. And more
infrastructure is required to be
constructed at Gelephu airport
in Sarpang. This could possibly
take until early next year.
The second reason provided is that Tashi Air is still
attempting to sustain its international operations. While
the airline has been making
progress on the international
front, as evident by its ability
to lease a second aircraft to expand its route network recently,
its accounts are still in the red.
It is estimated that an aver-
age loss of between Nu 25-30M
is being borne every month,
according to Tashi Air officials.
By requiring it to recommence domestic services now,
the losses would increase, according to the airline. Besides
purchasing one more aircraft,
which would cost between
USD 3-4M, it would also again
have to compete with national
airline Drukair for very limited
demand on the Paro-Bumthang
route. Drukair is already operating on a loss on this route.
Some flights even operate
with no passengers aboard its
48-seater aircraft.
The airline has also proposed that either Drukair or
Tashi Air be granted a 5-year
monopoly of the domestic market. If the government provides
Tashi Air with a monopoly, it is
willing to recommence domestic services in four months.
Information and communications minister, DN Dhungyel,
said that the cabinet has forwarded the issue to the Office
of the Attorney General (OAG).
Lyonpo explained that the
2012 agreement, along with
other documents, such as the
‘request for proposal’ (RFP)
floated in 2010, have to be
studied by OAG, to determine
if Tashi Air has to bear any legal
repercussions for not being
able to recommence domestic
services by next month.
He said that OAG’s advice
had to be sought, as the agreement cannot be undermined.
OAG’s findings will determine
the government’s next step.
Lyonpo said that the ministry understands Tashi Air’s point
about the airports not being
ready. “Without the infrastructure we can’t impress on the
carriers to do business,” he said.
Lyonpo also said it is a
valid argument that the domestic market is limited and
not big enough for two airlines.
“There’s no travellers around,
commuters aren’t there, it’ll not
be feasible for both airlines to
operate,” he said. “That’s why
we’re in a bit of a dilemma”.
The minister added that
when the RFP was floated in
2010, the plan was initially to
select a single domestic operator.
In a move that caught both
the airlines by surprise, the
previous government selected
two domestic operators in December 2010. The government
reasoned that, with Drukair
scoring the highest points for
the selection process, it had
to prevent the national airline
from monopolising both the
international and domestic
sectors. It found a solution in
Drukair’s articles of incorporation. The domestic sector was
always open to Drukair, as per
the articles of incorporation,
said the government.
This allowed Tashi Air to be
selected.
The private company had
bid to operate domestic, subsidised by international services.
Despite Tashi Air’s protests
that the domestic market was
not big enough, the government
did not reverse its decision.
In December 2011, both
Tashi Air and Drukair commenced domestic operations.
However, within six months,
the Indian rupee crisis was in
full swing, and strict monetary
measures were being followed
by the financial institutions.
As a result, Tashi Air was
unable to acquire a USD 4.5M
loan from the Bank of Bhutan,
required to lease an aircraft
for international services. The
government decided to allow
Tashi Air to suspend its domestic services, and sell its aircraft
to raise the funds required.
It would take until October
2013, before Tashi Air would
begin flying internationally.
“We’re fully committed to
the domestic requirement,”
Tashi Air CEO Phala Dorji said.
“We’re not saying we’ll not do
it, just give us some time, until
the two domestic airports are
ready,” he added.
The CEO pointed out that
the airline is not making money
on its international flights yet.
“We hope this will be given favourable consideration since
we’re already bleeding in the
international sector.”
He explained that domestic
services would further hamper
its international services, which
has so far had a positive impact
on the economy, in terms of
lower airfares, employment
generation, more tourism, and
connectivity enhancement,
among others.
On whether the government is leaning towards allowing a deferment or a limited
monopoly period, lyonpo said
that it would be premature to
say as OAG is yet to complete
examining the issue.
A decision is expected to be
made next week.
AUCTION NOTICE
WWF BHUTAN
WWF Bhutan will sell the following vehicles by sealed
bids on “As Is Where Is Basis”. Interested parties
can inspect the vehicles at WWF office premises
from October 1, 2014 to October 7, 2014 during
working days from 2 PM to 4 PM only.
1. KIA Sorento – Model 2011
2. Toyota Hilux –Model 2004
The sealed bids should reach WWF office latest by
2 PM and will be opened at 3 PM on Wednesday
October 8, 2014 in the presence of all bidders.
Picture story: President of the Royal Institute of Law, Her Royal Highness Ashi
Sonam Dechan Wangchuck and Chairman of White & Case LLP, Hugh Verrier
accept the Certiﬁcate of Commitment to Action on September 24 from Chelsea
Clinton, Vice Chair of the Clinton Foundation, marking Bhutan’s collaboration
with White & Case in establishing Bhutan’s ﬁrst law school.
Her Royal Highness attended the 10th annual meeting of the Clinton Global
Initiative this week in New York City.
RE-ANNOUNCEMENT
MINISTRY OF ECONOMIC
AFFAIRS
Human Resource Division
MoEA/HRD-45/2014/665
The Ministry of Economic Affairs invites applications
for various posts.
For details, kindly visit www.moea.gov.bt
Human Resource Division
HOME
Saturday, September 27, 2014 | KUENSEL
PAGE 3
Trashigang records almost
threefold hike in alcohol liver cases
A pilot survey program on alcohol consumption at the village level is to be initiated soon
Tshering Wangdi, Trashigang
Alcohol consumption related
diseases and fatalities have
been increasing in Trashigang, the annual morbidity reports maintained with
Trashigang general hospital
show.
MORBIDITY
From 106 alcohol liver
cases in 2010, the figures drastically increased to 310 cases
in 2013. This year, as of August, about 94 cases were registered. Since 2010, 37 people
have died with the highest, 15
death cases recorded in 2013.
The reports further show
that most people suffering
from alcohol liver diseases
fall between the age group of
20 to 49 years.
Trashigang dzongkhag
health officer (DHO), Tshewang Dorji, said alcohol
related problems were a growing concern in the dzongkhag.
“Alcohol consumption is
a big concern in Trashigang,
not just among the youth
but also among the elderly,
who are above 65 years of
age,” he said. He attributed
the increasing trend of consumption to easy availability
of alcohol in every nook and
corner of the dzongkhag.
“Even small shops in the
villages have beer for sale.
Huge piles of empty beer bottles stacked near the shops
show the level of consumption in these villages,” he said.
The dzongkhag health office had recently carried out
a research to find out the intensity of problems related to
alcohol in Trashigang town,
where health workers collect-
ed information from bar owners, police and the hospital.
“The results were quite
alarming and we’ve informed
the dzongkhag administration
and other stakeholders that
collective awareness activities
should be carried out,” Tshewang Dorji said.
He added that a pilot
survey program on alcohol
consumption at a village
level would be initiated soon.
Yangnyer gewog has been
selected as the first gewog in
Trashigang where the study
would be carried out.
“We’ll look at what level
villagers are consuming alcohol. In cases of addiction,
we’ll begin immediate treatment and establish a detoxification centre at the basic
health unit,” he said.
Budget constraint has
however limited the health
office from planning similar
programs in other gewogs.
Though advocacy programs
are being carried out, conducting special programs has
remained a challenge, said
health officials.
“But sensitisation programs have been very beneficial. People do visit the hospital for timely checkup of their
livers,” the DHO said.
Trashigang town residents
claimed the dzongkhag had
limited sporting facilities to
engage youth, and this was
one reason why more young
people were into alcohol.
“There’s only one basketball court, and a football
ground in the town that belongs to the school. Lack of
sporting facilities against
plenty of bars could be a factor why more youth are into
alcohol,” a resident said.
Going by the records
Empty beer bottles stacked on the roadside in Bikha village
maintained with the regional
trade and industry office in
Mongar, there are 363 bar license holders in the dzong-
khag. 53 licenses were issued
for Trashigang town alone.
“About 95 percent of these
licenses would be operating
in the dzongkhag,” trade’s
regional director in Mongar,
Aiman Mahat, said.
MINISTRY OF FINANCE
DRC/STD/ (Tax Act)/ 3/2014/1207
September 25, 2014
PUBLIC NOTIFICATION
Levy of 5% Sales Tax on Telecom Services
This is to inform the general public that the following telecom services
shall be subject to levy of sales tax @ 5% w.e.f 1st October, 2014.
a.
Any telephone service billed or charged by way of post-paid or
prepaid irrespective of the mode of use of service via mobile/
portable device or fixed line or lease line.
b.
Internet service in any form or scheme billed or charged by way of
post-paid or pre-paid irrespective of the mode of use of service via
mobile/portable device or fixed line or lease line.
c.
Any other service that may be notified by the Ministry of Finance
from time to time
Therefore, all notified telecom service providers or its agents shall collect
and deposit the applicable sales tax on behalf of the Government in
accordance with the rules prescribed by the Ministry.
Finance Minister
PUBLIC INFORMATION SERVICES Department of Revenue and Customs
PERSPECTIVES
PAGE 4 KUENSEL Saturday, September 27, 2014
A vice that won’t
go away
MY COUNTRY, MY TOWN
T
he small hospital in Trashigang revealed
a big problem that is eating into the
health and wealth of the dzongkhag.
The dzongkhag, going by records with
the hospital, is replete with problems
related to alcohol. If the government and civil societies
have been carrying out awareness campaigns related
to alcohol, they have not helped or been effective. The
hospital recorded 310 cases in 2013, of which 15 died,
averaging more than one a month. Most who died
were in the age group between 20 and 50, in the prime
of their lives.
Alcohol has been an integral part of rural life in eastern Bhutan. Humble farmers, on seeing a visitor, would
offer alcohol, even if they have nothing. It is embedded
in the local hospitality. But it is also the cause that is
killing a large number of Bhutanese through direct and
indirect causes.
What is more surprising is that the small town in
Trashigang has 53 bar licenses. Most are operating.
Alcohol was recognised as a problem a long time ago.
The problem is we are not being able to address it.
Therefore, even in rural towns made up of a few shops,
every establishment sells alcohol. A lot of food grain is
also misused to brew alcohol.
Then we have social problems related to alcohol.
Ask any villager in remote Bhutan, and the problem of
divorce or domestic violence is related to alcohol. The
problem will be aggravated, if youth are not weaned
away from alcohol, which health officials say is already
the trend.
If healthy activities can keep away youth from abusing alcohol, the facilities are limited. For instance, in
Trashigang town, there is only one basketball court and
a football ground, compared to the 53 bar licenses.
The issue is not isolated. Almost all the dzongkhags
have problems related to alcohol. At a recent meeting
in Thimphu, a student asked a relevant question to
the thrompon. She asked him what sports and entertainment were there for youth, especially girls. The
thrompon didn’t have an answer and apologised.
Thimphu has about 700 bars, with every other shop
being a “cum bar”. Many groceries sell alcohol, and
nobody restricts or bothers to check the age of buyers,
or timing of selling alcohol. Going by the number of
bars, nightclubs, and restaurants around the country,
it is going to affect many people. Looking at our social
behaviour, alcohol plays an important role in all our
festivals and events. Alcohol is even used symbolically
in rituals. It gets complex.
While alcohol has long been recognised as the biggest killer, we do not have a legislation to even restrict
the sale of alcohol. The government happily took on
tobacco, the smaller of the problems, in a national campaign, but did not touch alcohol, the bigger problem.
With the winter session of parliament around the
corner, it is an appropriate time to have a relook at the
alcohol issue and consider legislation for the same.
Start any discourse on alcohol and we have the unanimous opinion that it is bad for the health of the society.
What is surprising is that nothing is being done about it.
Empty threat? Perhaps it’s high time for the thromde to match hollow words
with harsh deeds! Photo by Tshering Norbu Uden
MY SAY
On free health service
At the receiving end of every
service delivery, anything
that’s free is always welcome
and when it involves the
poor and a system of free
health service including
treatment as well as medicines and vaccines, it’s a
visionary commitment.
But my concern is
whether free health service
is same as free treatment
in terms of free prescribed
medicines? Should our
basic health units in rural
places provide safe drinking
water and teach lessons on
healthy living as precautionary measures along with the
committed free treatments
and medicines? If every-
thing that’s free is always
welcome, what sense of
responsibility is desired on
the service delivery end? Are
we considering affordable
effectiveness as well as quality in our free health services
which should not only be
limited to just medicines or
vaccines but also include
quality innovation in terms
of surgical methods and
treatments?
While we are always
thankful to all the global
donors for free medicines or
health services, should there
be a plan in place where our
own health professionals
with all their qualifications
are researching on deliver-
ing affordable quality health
services which could be free
or cheap for those who are
poor.
I also wonder whether
there is a quality life in
terms of good health, a
healthy life that can be affordable even for the poor
without all the wealth to
waste? As the country moves
on managing the Bhutan
Health Trust Fund, probably
some of these questions
need to assessed and answered for efficiency in free
service delivery.
MANAGING DIRECTOR - Bachu Phub Dorji, MANAGING EDITOR - Ugyen Penjor, DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR - Thinley Dorji, K2 EDITOR - Kinley Wangmo
CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER - Karma Dupchu, PRINTING GM - Karma Nima, CIRCULATION MANAGER - Ugyen Norbu, KANGLUNG REGIONAL MANAGER - Ugyen Wangdi
Kuenselonline
HOME
ADB to fund USD 120m
for Nikachu project
PAGE 5
Third attempt failed to
airlift patient
Dawa Gyelmo, Wangdue
Tshering Dorji
The Asian Development Bank
will fund USD 120m (about Nu
7.2b) towards the 118MW Nikachu hydropower project, whose
total estimated project cost was
USD 200m.
HYDROPOWER
The project is modelled
on public-private partnership
(PPP) lines, with Druk Green
Power corporation (DGPC),
and the debt to equity ratio of
65:35. Nikachu is the second
project to be built as a PPP after
Dagachu project, which is due
for commissioning by the end
of this month.
However, ADB will provide
USD 95m of the total USD 130m
debt portion and USD 25m of the
equity portion (USD 70m). The
remaining amount will be raised
from other investors, including
DGPC.
Of the total ADB funding,
USD 25m is provided as a grant,
USD 75m is a loan from ADB’s
ordinary capital resource (OCR)
with 3 percent interest, and another USD 25m loan is from the
Asian Development Fund with
one percent interest during the
grace period of eight years.
The vice president of ADB
for south, central and west
Asia, Wencai Zhang, who is
in the country, said energy was
one of the major priority areas
identified during his meeting
with senior government officials
in the last few days.
“We look forward to support
in other mega projects in future,”
he said, adding that ADB would
help the government identify
more “green energy” projects
from wind, solar, biogas and
hydro. “We need to tap most of
the renewable resources.”
For the Nikachu project,
he said ADB would not only
co-finance, but also help bring
in investment from the private
sector.
He said besides hydropower, the country needed to
identify other drivers in the
economy for macro economic
stability and this, he said, the
government has already identified, namely the five jewels.
With the approval of the
environmental clearance, the
project is due to start the major
activities of dam, powerhouse
and the tunnels by 2015. Tendering process for the main
works will start towards the
end of this year, and construction could commence from mid
2015.
All the project components
will be located along the left
bank of the Nikachu. The dam
will be located around 5km
below Chendebji chorten.
The assessment, survey and
studies were long done in 2012.
The third attempt to airlift
the Lunana man who was
hit with an arrow on September 23 failed when the
helicopter couldn’t pass thick
clouds above Yusana village
in Punakha.
UPDATE
Despite the helicopter
flying early morning unlike
other days, where the chopper took off only after 9am,
the helicopter couldn’t reach
Lunana.
This was the third day attempt to airlift Gyem Dorji,
30 who was hit by an arrow
shot from a compound bow
when he was watching archery match in his village.
On September 24, the
government had sent a heli-
copter to airlift him to Thimphu. However it couldn’t
make to Lunana and returned
after crossing Punakha. The
government then hired a
smaller helicopter, which on
September 25 made several
attempts but in vain because
of weather conditions.
Lunana gup Gyem Tshering said hope is still alive
with the government officials telling them that the
chopper would attempt once
more with the chopper still
stationed in Paro.
“Our prayers for a pleasant weather was not answered,” a Lunana villager
said. “The thick clouds has
become our enemy.”
Health assistant Namgay
Wangdi said the patient’s
condition is stable and he
was given good care and
medicines on time.
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Picture story: Her Royal Highness Ashi Chimi
Yangzom Wangchuck with Ambassador Gautam
Bambawale graced the fourth anniversary of the
Nehru-Wangchuck Cultural Centre in Thimphu
yesterday. Members of the centre performed yoga
and classical Indian dance to mark the occasion.
An exhibition titled ‘Puducherry Blue’ was also
inaugurated.
Last date for receiving applications will be 15 October 2014. Interested candidates may submit their
DSSOLFDWLRQVWR+50DQDJHU7DM7DVKL32%R[&KXEDFKX6DPWHQ/DP7KLPSKX
Ph. 02-336699 Extn 3047/3098.
You may also email your resume to [email protected]
6DODU\DQGRWKHUDOORZDQFHVZLOOEHFRPPHQVXUDWHRISUR¿OHRIWKHFDQGLGDWHV
<RXDUHUHTXLUHGWREULQJWKHUHOHYDQWGRFXPHQWVLQRULJLQDOIRUYHUL¿FDWLRQGXULQJWKHLQWHUYLHZ
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Human Resource, Learning and Development Manager
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PAGE 6 KUENSEL Saturday, September 27, 2014
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Sale: Grand Vitara ‘09
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Hire: Wanted Tucson,
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Sale: Alto taxi ‘10 model.
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Announcement:
Queen’s cup basketball
championship 2014.
Last date of registration
5th October. Venue
Swimming Pool indoor
court, Thimphu. For
details contact 17521849.
Vacancy: One male and
one female for Korean
Spare parts shop at Olakha.
Contact 17127575.
Vacancy: Bus driver for
the route Radhi, TrashigangThimphu. Call 17115681.
Sale: Shop at Olakha.
Contact 17793447.
Sale: Land at Babesa,
RTC, Olakha, Depsi. Call
17808225.
For hire: Pan shop.
Contact 77277795.
Sale: 82 decimal land at
Paro. Contact 17895031.
Rent: Flat at Olakha.
Contact 17720002.
Sale: Wet/dryland at
Namseling. Genuine buyers
may contact 77411066.
Vacancy: Immediately
required 2 female house
keeping (class 10), 1 laundry
girl for Hotel BT Gatshel,
Paro. Experience preferred.
Call 17140445.
Sale: Food & Lodging
hotel. Call 17115681.
Sale: Shop at main town
(exchangable with vehicle).
Contact 77808225.
Sale: Shop at
17282758.
Rent: Flat at
17618683.
Rent: Flat at Pamtsho.
Contact 17644664.
Sale: Building at
Dechencholing. Contact
17922046.
Sale: Buildings or
flats in Thimphu and
Phuentsholing. Contact
17124852.
Rent: Shop space at
Shearee Square. Contact
17474577.
Sale: Duplex in Thimphu.
Contact 17593263.
Sale: Restaurant near
Sabji bazar. Contact
16921837.
Sale: Land in Thimphu,
Gelephu & Samtse.
Contact 17974747.
Announcement: (Car
Rally) Bhutan-Thailand
friendship car rally, Drive
your car from Bhutan to
Thailand. Adventure,
experience, fun & pride!
For participation contact:
17117540/marigoldtravel@
gmail.com
Announcement:
Tshechu discounts up to
50% on signboard, vehicle
number plate, rubber
seal, flex banner printing,
visiting cards. Complete
one stop solution for new
opening firm. Babesa Arts
& Prints, below Helipad
Luntenphu. Contact
341066/77390066.
Sale: Land at Tsirang,
Mendrelgang. Contact
77386452.
Sale: Five storeyed
building at Changangkha,
Thimphu. Contact
17604306.
Rent: Space for shop/
store/showroom
Rent: Four units flat with
air condition, in prime
location near Dungkhag
guest house having town
roads from two sides
of the wall. Contact
17611611/17117303.
Vacancy: Immediately
required 1 chef for
Thori Resort, Thimphu.
Experience in continental
dish. Contact 17723900/
17114406/ 17883469.
Sale: 49 decimal land with
apple trees at Dzongdakha,
Paro. 72 decimal land along
with doma trees at Bhur,
Gelephu. 1 acre dryland
at Jigmeling, Gelephu.
Contact 17669806.
Vacancy: 20 slots for IT
graduates on mobile apps
and software development
training funded by MoLHR
at Athang. For registration
contact 333849.
Sale: 13 decimal dryland @
three hundred thousand per
decimal, 16 decimal wetland
@ two hundred fifty
thousand per decimal above
Danglo with road access.
Call 17603971.
Vacancy: Staff for newly
opened gourment burger
bar, Thimphu. Immediate
start 1) duty/shift manager,
2) wait staff, 3) dishwasher/
kitchen helper, 4), cook/
chef. Contact 17117801.
Vacancy: Housekeeping4, cook - 1 for Ro-Chogpel
hotel. Contact toll free
182/17119091.
Vacancy: Assistant
accountant, class XII
with accounts certificate.
Graduate for office
assistant. Apply by email to
[email protected].
Announcement: Stalls
available during film
festival (viewer’s choice)
at Clock Tower coinciding
with Drubchen and
Tshechu, seven days from
29 September till 5th
October, 2014. Contact
333779/17846357 for
details.
Announcement: Order
delicious pizzas at Green
Pizzeria and get coupon
with offer ‘buy 5 get 1
free’. For home delivery
call 17572569/77346332.
Announcement: Mobile
sawmill available for
timber sawing. Interested
timber owners can contact
17115681.
Announcement: Brand
new Jaguar Neon Spa
(206X169X82 cm) with
panels in natural wood.
Suitable for hotels and
resorts, cost Nu. 800,000
(eight lakhs). Interested
buyers may contact
17110527.
DIVERSION
PAGE 7
daffynition
25 YEARS AGO
BHUTAN THIS WEEK
decoy
A flashlight in the pants pocket
YOUR GOOD HEALTH
WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 16, 1989
infobyte
Back to square one
Back to the start, to start again
A classic of folk etymology.
Although the origin is uncertain, there are three suggestions as
to its origin: BBC sports commentaries, board games like Snakes
and Ladders and playground games like hopscotch.
MEANING
ORIGIN
riddlemeree
the monsoon riddle
q: What never gets any wetter no matter how hard it rains?
a: The ocean!
todayinhistory
His Majesty with Bhutan's delegation at the NAM summit in
Yugoslavia: Foreign Minister Lyonpo Dawa Tsering (left),
Goongloen Lam Dorji (HM's left), Gyalpoi Zimpon Dasho
Dorji Gyelyshen and Lt. Col. V. Namgyel (back)
NAM ISSUES MODERATE DECLARATION
Last week's summit of the non-aligned nations wrapped
up on a positive note of unity, adopting a 10-page
declaration by consensus in the early hours of Friday,
September 8.
1540
Society of Jesus (Jesuits)
founded by Ignatius Loyola.
happybirthday
AVRIL
Lavigne
President Janez Drnovsek of Yugoslavia welcomes
His Majesty to a reception by the host country
1984Singer
beau peep
quotefortheday
“As a woman I have no country. As a
woman I want no country. As a woman,
my country is the whole world.”
Woolf 1882-1941
featheredfriend
Virginia
Babbler
Temminck’s
(Pellorneum pyrrogenys)
Found in the
subtropical or
tropical moist
lowland forests
of Indonesia
and Malaysia
ecotip
Go Green
Add these kitchen staples
to your cleaning arsenal
theone&only
Which is the only naturally growing
nut tree in North America?
Across
1 Disconcert (6)
4 Court of justice (8)
9 English composer, d.1934 (6)
10 Avaricious (8)
12 Gossip (8)
13 Lacking (6)
15 Organisation’s emblem (4)
16 By a large amount (3,3,4)
19 Consolidate strength (5,5)
20 Petty quarrel (4)
23 Business magnate (6)
25 Capital of Hungary (8)
27 Extol (8)
28 To swindle (6)
29 Fierce verbal attack (8)
30 Without charge (6)
Down
1 Far-reaching (7)
2 A reprimand (7-2)
3 Initiate (6)
5 Underdone (4)
6 Meddlesome person (8)
7 Din (5)
8 Frivolously (7)
11 West Indian islands (7)
14 Evade a commitment (4,3)
17 Incandescence (5,4)
18 Urbane (8)
19 Refuse to recognise (3,4)
21 Suitability (7)
22 Visitor (6)
24 Venomous snake (5)
26 Search thoroughly (4)
LAST WEEK’S ANSWERS
Across
1 Depress
5 Welfare
9 Spectre
10 Regalia
11 Abate
12 Trousseau
13 Dalai Lama
15 Mitre
16 Array
18 Aftermath
21 Encompass
24 Hotel
25 Booming
26 Inanity
27 Concede
28 Pattern
Solution Next Week
Baking soda - This stuff
deserves a star spot in your
cleaning cabinet. Mixed with
warm water, it’s an effective
all-purpose cleanser — it can even shine jewelry.
Saturday’s Quik Xword
CLUES
Down
1 Disband
2 Prevail
3 Extremity
4 Scent
5 Work of art
6 Lagos
7 Ailment
8 Erasure
14 At an angle
15 March past
16 Acerbic
17 Raccoon
19 Astride
20 Halcyon
22 Maize
23 Skimp.
The pecan tree that’s native
to the Texas, Mississippi and
Mexico river valleys.
HOME
Chorten to be relocated for
airport expansion
Nine days and nine nights of rebuilding rituals were completed yesterday
Tenzin Namgyel
“As the airport
is important for
connectivity
within and
outside the
country, we’re
certainly going
to implement
the projects and
improve the
livelihood of
the people”
In what is a case of conflict
between the old and new, a
56-year-old Khamsum Namgyal chorten was dismantled
at Yonphula to make way for
the airstrip expansion work
recently.
YONPHULA
The 13-foot long Khamsum
Namgyel chorten, which was
built by Tokden Lama Karpo,
father of Yonphula Rinpoche,
in 1958, will be re-located at
around 300m away from the
runway. Lama Karpo was one
of the first five disciples of His
Holiness Dudjom rinpoche.
The airport was closed to
air traffic since October 2013
for major repairs and expansion of the runway.
Led by Yonphula rinpoche,
Jigme Tenzin, 35 tsampas
(meditation practitioners)
performed nine days and nine
nights of rebuilding rituals that
ended yesterday.
Yonphula rinpoche said the
chorten was built to prevent
war from the north during the
Cultural Revolution in Tibet. It
was built based on the proph-
Wencai Zang
ADB vice-president
esy of Dudjom Lingpa, written
in his 25 new treasure commentaries. Dudjom Lingpa
was predecessor to His Holiness Dudjom rinpoche.
Around a 200m-long approach road to the site was built
by the rinpoche for easy access,
and to transport construction
materials. The chorten, which
will be 20 feet at the base, and
18 feet long, will be built with
the government’s fund of Nu
2.7m. Stones that bear Buddhist mantras will be reused
during the rebuilding to preserve the spiritual significance
Making way: Remains of the chorten dismantled at Yongphula
of the old chorten, said Yonphula rinpoche.
Yonphula domestic airport
was inaugurated in December
2011. However, six months
later, it was closed for runway
surface repairs, after Drukair
suspended operations, citing safety concerns. Budget
constraints had allowed only
half the runway to receive
patchwork repairs prior to its
launching.
With an Asian Development Bank (ADB) grant, a
hump on the airport’s runway, along with two hillocks
on either side of one end of
the runway, will be removed.
The entire runway will also be
resurfaced and extended. An
approach road to the airport
will also be constructed.
ADB’s vice-president, Wencai Zang, who is in the country
on a visit yesterday, said ADB
was working to improve infrastructures of the three domestic
airports with the grant of USD
6.92m.
He said another USD 4m
has also been also earmarked
to supplement if the USD 6.92m
was inadequate to complete the
airport work.
“As the airport is important for connectivity within
and outside the country, we’re
certainly going to implement
the projects and improve the
livelihood of the people,” Wencai Zang said. “I also discussed
with the communication minister as to how we can work in
further strengthening the airport in the future.”
Yonphula airport was constructed by the Indian army in
the 1960s, and the runway had
not been resurfaced since then.
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
NATIONAL PENSION AND PROVIDENT FUND, THIMPHU
NPPF/HRDA/07
The National Pension and Provident Fund, Thimphu, is pleased to announce the vacancy for the following post:
Sl.#
Post
Qualification/Experience
No. of slot
Grade and Remuneration
Place of Posting
1
Head, Legal Division
LLB/LLM and Post Graduate
Diploma in National Law with
legal work experience.
1
Grade and remuneration commensurate
with work experience, and in line with the
NPPF service rules.
Thimphu
Interested candidates between 18 and 45 years of age may submit your applications (visit www.nppf.org.bt for Employment Application Form
and ToR), to the HRD at Head Office, Chubachu, Thimphu, latest by October 25, 2014 along with the following documents:
r
r
r
r
$PQJFTPG"DBEFNJD5SBJOJOH$FSUJàDBUFT
r"DPQZPG$JUJ[FOTIJQ*%$BSE
"DPQZPG.FEJDBM'JUOFTT$FSUJàDBUF
r4FDVSJUZ$MFBSBODF$FSUJàDBUFBQQSPWBMSFGFSFODF
/P0CKFDUJPO$FSUJàDBUFGSPNUIFFNQMPZFSJGFNQMPZFE
"OZPUIFSEPDVNFOUTBOEUFTUJNPOJBMTBTNBZCFBQQMJDBCMFUPUIFQPTU
4IPSUMJTUFEBQQMJDBOUTTIBMMCFDPOUBDUFEGPSJOUFSWJFXEVSJOHXIJDIUIFBCPWFEPDVNFOUTTIPVMECFQSFTFOUFEJOPSJHJOBM
Contact HRD at 324140 (extension 119) for more information.
HOME
PAGE 9
The Himalayan university
consortium program
A bid to create a network between the various universities in the region concerned
Nirmala Pokhrel
In an attempt to link and enhance collaboration among
the various universities of the
eight member countries of the
Hindu Kush Himalayan region,
the International Centre for
Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) is initiating a
new regional program called
the Himalayan university consortium (HUC).
“Creating these
possibilities
for young
professionals
to attend other
universities, or
be part of the
curriculum,
will be the
biggest success
for HUC”
ICIMOD
HUC aims to build a dynamic mountain knowledge
partnership among universities, ICIMOD and regional
member country partners. It
would help promote research
and learning activity.
Royal University of Bhutan
became part of the consortium
last year.
Knowledge management
Anja Moller
Rasmussen
Senior manager
KMC
and communication’s senior
manager, Anja Moller Rasmussen, said although the idea
came in 2007, only small-scale
activities could be carried out.
She said, two years back,
ICIMOD decided to create
more comprehensive strategy
for creating a regional program
for universities collaboration.
For a small country like
Bhutan that has only one university, she said, being part of
HUC would mean access to
much better educational quality, access to scholarship for
young Bhutanese academics in
master’s and PhD fields.
It would enable Royal University of Bhutan to grow by
gaining into discussions and
negotiations on development of
mountain-related curriculum.
“The rationale behind it
is that this region needs both
visibilities when it comes to
science that is been produced,
and also need uptake of science
to produce better students and
better livelihood in the region,”
she said.
Anja added that the idea is
to create a network of universities in the Hindu Kush Himalaya
region, offering quality training
courses in the area where there
are experts.
It is also to get associate
members on board. Associate members are universities from countries outside
the eight member regions of
Nepal, Bhutan, China, India,
Pakistan, Afganistan, Myanmar and Bangladesh. Bringing
associate members, who have
high profile and are engaged in
mountain research, on board,
is to gain access to high quality
research.
It will create better universities by allowing students
to engage in scholarship, Anja
said. More than 200 young
professional have already been
awarded scholarship under this
program.
“Creating these possibilities for young professionals to
attend other universities or be
part of the curriculum, will be
the biggest success for HUC,”
she said adding that it would
avoid brain drainage.
Programme associate of
HUC, Dipshika Gurung, said
that the HUC members would
meet at least once a year to
share upcoming activities, create possibilities for teachers
and professors to get access to
academia research materials.
Currently, about 26 universities have gained membership, but the membership will
be final after signing a charter,
so will the HUC function full
fledged.
Some expected outcomes of
the consortium are enhanced
collaboration and networking
among Himalayan universities
leading to increased capacity of professionals for sustainable mountain development
through mountain-specific
education.
Longstanding restrictions lifted on
plots in E4 precincts
Landowners can now develop or, under conditions, carry out transaction of their land
Sonam Choden
Landowners in Thimphu,
who own less than 25-decimal land in the E4 areas
(agro-based environment
precinct), can now develop
their land or carry out transaction of their plot.
THROMDE
For the last 10 years, construction, development or
transaction of land below 25
decimals was not allowed by
the thromde, as most of the E4
areas were located on steep
slopes. E4 area is the land
located above the old Thimphu-Phuentsholing highway,
starting from Changtagang to
Ngabirongchu.
However, the rule had
been a problem for many
landowners, as they could
not do anything on their land
except farming or keeping
it as orchards. Landowners
had then requested Thimphu
thromde to amend the rule
and allow them to develop
their land. The thromde forwarded the proposal to the
cabinet.
The cabinet had discussed
the proposal in the 43rd
lhengye zhungtshog that was
held on July 22, 2014 before
endorsing it.
A notice from the cabinet that was released last
month states that all plots in
the E4 precincts in Thimphu
“We don’t
want to further
sub-divide,
parcel out and
have more
development
in those steep
areas”
An official
Thimphu thromde
thromde, irrespective of size,
will be allowed for transaction. However, if the land is
below 25 decimals, as of now,
it cannot be subdivided and
made into two plots.
Another change is the
thromde allowing a minimum
of seven decimal land in the
area to be developed. However, structures constructed
shouldn’t be more than two
storeys, and only 20 percent
of the land has to be used.
Thromde officials said this
was to avoid cutting of the
steep slopes and to avoid
landslides and congestion.
Landowners will also be
not allowed to built attic or
basement, to avoid excessive
cutting of the hillsides, and
to avoid increase in density.
Thromde officials said the
decision specifically implies
to current landowners, who
own less than 25 decimals in
the area, and who had been at
a disadvantage for more than
10 years for not being allowed
to develop their land.
“Those landowners, who
have more than 25 decimal,
would not be allowed to subdivide their land that would
create areas less than 25 decimals,” an official said. “We
don’t want to further subdivide, parcel out and have
more development in those
steep areas, because having
many concrete structures and
roads would create problems
during rainy season and the
area would get clustered.”
As of now, there are about
540 landowners, who own
less than 25 decimal lands in
the E4 precincts of Thimphu.
REGION
India and China ‘to withdraw troops’
India and China have agreed to
pull back troops after talks to
end a two-week stand-off near
their de facto border, India’s foreign minister says.
“true potential
of our relations”
would be
realised when
there was
“peace in our
relations and in
the borders”
DIPLOMACY
Sushma Swaraj said the soldiers would withdraw from the
area by Tuesday.
India said Chinese soldiers
had been seen trying to construct a temporary road inside
Indian territory in the Ladakh
region, reports said.
The two countries dispute
several Himalayan border areas
and fought a brief war in 1962.
Tensions flare up from time
to time and numerous rounds of
border talks have been unsuccessful so far.
Last week Chinese President
Xi Jinping was visiting India, as
India accused his country of
fresh territorial incursions in
Indian PM Narendra
Modi
India and China dispute several Himalayan border areas
Ladakh.
Indian PM Narendra Modi
called for an early settlement
and said the “true potential of
our relations” would be realised
when there was “peace in our
relations and in the borders”.
84,000 lost Nepali
passports registered
on Interpol
Stepping up its crackdown on
passport defaulters, the passport department has put details
of 84,000 lost passports—both
handwritten and machine readable—on the Interpol website
with help from the Nepal Police.
POLICE
The list includes reports of
lost passports from December
26, 2010 till last month. The
details include bearer’s name,
passport number, authority that
issued it, issue date and the validity period.
Some 500 of the complaints
are about lost machine readable
passports. Nepal started issuing
MRPs on December 26, 2010.
A passport that bears the
lost number is illegal and its
carrier faces consequences. The
immigration law requires the
seizure of such passports while
the bearers are fined or jailed.
The Interpol has a separate
wing for Stolen and Lost Travel
Documents. The website of the
passport department updates
the list of passports replaced
by the district administration
Offices and Nepali missions
abroad on a regular basis. The
department also uses its own
database for the purpose.
Officials said that during
the transition between manual
passport and MRPs, several
thousand travel documents
were issued on the basis of the
recipients’ claim of loss.
In some cases, an easy access to citizenship has added
to the complexity of the matter.
Citizenship is the major basis
for issuing a passport in Nepal
where no police verification of
the applicant is necessary.
The department has a dedicated counter on its premises for
people to re-apply when their
passports are lost. In case of a lost
MRP, one needs to pay 15,000
Nepalese rupees (US$154.60)
besides producing other requirements such as police report and
a copy of the notice of loss published in a national daily.
ANN
Mr Xi said he was committed to working with India to
maintain “peace and tranquillity”.
Speaking on the sidelines of
the UN General Assembly session in New York, Sushma Swaraj
told reporters: “I am happy to
tell you that both nations have
sat down and resolved the [border standoff ] issue. Timelines
have been decided.”
“The bad phase will end and
by 30 September, the withdrawal
of troops will be completed. I
talked about this with the Chinese Foreign Minister [Wang Yi].
I believe this is a big accomplishment,” she said
The two countries have been
trying to negotiate a solution to
their decades-old boundary
dispute, a process which shows
few signs of reaching a solution
anytime soon.
BBC
Damaged roads in flood-hit
Meghalaya hamper relief work
A flooded road in Meghalaya.
At least 80 people have been
killed in Assam and Meghalaya
after the recent flash floods and
landslides. But as the flood waters start receding, the focus is
now on assessing the damage
caused to infrastructure.
WEATHER
Most rural roads in Meghalaya are badly damaged, and
even those that have been
re-opened, are slush-ridden,
making it impossible for
trucks with essential supplies
to travel.
Rescue and relief teams
too are facing huge problems
in reaching the rural areas
of Garo Hills, a region badly
hit by landslides. The flash
floods, triggered off by a massive cloud-burst in South West
Garo Hills district in Meghalaya
on Sunday night, caused land-
slides throughout the region.
The Meghalaya government has said it is working on
an emergency plan to get oil
tankers and trucks carrying
essential supplies into the affected areas at the earliest.
In Assam too, almost 100
roads and bridges have been
damaged in the last week, and
boats are the only way to reach
the far flung areas.
ndtv
DZONGKHAG
Saturday, September 27, 2014 | KUENSEL PAGE 11
The ambulance man - Beyond
the call of BHU duty
Village health workers like Lungten Norbu in Mendrelgang are the unsung heroes of the sector
Yangchen C Rinzin,
Pemagatshel
It is 7am, and someone is
pounding on Lungten Norbu’s
door.
HEALTH
Lungten opens the door to
find an elderly man standing
in front of him.
Dopa, 58, anxiously asks
Lungten to come with him.
His wife has been suffering
body aches since the night
before.
Lungten grabs his woollen
medical bag and dashes out of
his home. He begins asking
questions. What did she eat
last night?
Five minutes later he is beside Sangay Lhamo, 59. She is
clearly in agony. As he hands
her some medicine, he realises
that she needs to be taken to
the basic health unit (BHU).
The nearest BHU in
Nganglam dungkhag is officially a two-day walk away. It
takes the villagers about four
hours to get there.
“I’m too old to carry her,
and we don’t have our children with us,” pleads Dopa.
He requests Lungten to carry
his wife for him. He addresses
Lungten as ‘son’.
Without hesitation,
Lungten Norbu carries Sangay Lhamo to Nganglam hospital
Lungten helps Sangay Lhamo
onto his back and begins the
four-hour walk to the BHU.
Without a motor road,
villagers of Mendralgang in
Yangmalashing chiwog under
Decheling gewog, carry their
sick to the BHU.
Lungten Norbu, 42, besides being Mendralgang’s
health worker, is also its ambulance. For the last 17 years,
he has served this dual role,
carrying those too sick or too
old to walk the distance to the
BHU.
Villagers
recognise
Lungten more for his ‘ambulance’ services than his role as a
health worker. Without a BHU
in their village, and most young
people having left for the urban
areas, there is a dependence on
him when someone needs to
be carried to the BHU.
As a health worker,
NOTICE INVITING TENDER
MINISTRY OF HOME AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS
Wangduephordang Dzong Re-construction Project
Wangduephodrang Dzongkhag
WRDP/10/Adver./2013-14/727
The management of Wangdue Dzong Reconstruction Project (WDRP) invites sealed
quotation for supply of flat boulders.
Interested bidders may collect the tender documents from the office of the Project
Management’s Account Section from September 30, 2014, till October 30, 2014
till 12 noon during office hours on payment of Nu.500/- (non-refundable).
The last date for submission of sealed tender is October 30, 2014 till 2 PM and
will be opened at 2:30 PM on the same day. The bid will be opened in the presence
of the interested bidders in the Dzong Reconstruction Project’s Office at Wangdue
Choekhorthangkha.
Project Director
Lungten also prescribes medication for common ailments,
like cold, fever, headache
and gastritis, and he dresses
wounds.
“Our chiwog is losing all
the young men and women to
urban life and only old people
are left in the village,” villager
Ap Dopo said. He said it was
good to have someone like
Lungten in the village.
Another villager, Khando,
49, said that Lungten’s good
deeds would one day be repaid. “That’s why we wish
him a good life now and after
death,” he said.
“Although it’s difficult to
walk through the thick forest
carrying someone on my back,
the fear I carry in my heart
makes it easier for me to walk,”
said Lungten. “My biggest fear
is that I won’t reach the BHU
on time and that something
would happen to the patient.”
During the monsoon, the
paths, both uphill and downhill, are slippery, and the river,
swollen. Sometimes, Lungten
said he feels like giving up
along the way, but the trust, the
person on his back has laid on
him, drives him to keep moving
ahead. It takes Lungten, with a
patient on his back, eight hours
to reach the nearest motor
road, where a vehicle ambulance would be waiting.
“If a person is thin and not
heavy, I try not to waste time
resting,” Lungten said. “But
sometimes, some are heavy,
and I have to rest as many as
10 times.”
When patients are simply
too heavy, Lungten gets his fellow villagers to help him carry
them on a stretcher.
Sometimes, Lungten returns to the village after dropping off a patient at the motor
road. At times, he accompanies them to the BHU and
stays with them until they are
discharged. He usually carries
them back to the village.
Lungten has his own health
issues and plans to resign. But
villagers pleaded with him not
to resign, despite a neighbouring village also having a health
worker. He was chosen by his
village to be their health worker
17 years ago.
“That’s why I couldn’t
resign this year. I’ve decided
to provide my services until I
can,” Lungten said. “I want to
voluntarily help them as much
as I can, since no youngsters
are there to help these old
people. After all I’m going to
spend the rest of my life in this
village.”
Lungten carries an average of two patients a week. His
story is already inspiring other
health workers.
Nidup Tshewang, 38, has
been serving as the health
worker in Yangmalshing village, an hour away from Mandrelgang, for the past seven
years. “I’d like to serve like
this as much as I can. I’ve been
inspired by Lungten Norbu to
help the elderly,” he said.
The two already help each
other out occasionally.
The chiwog has 30 households with 166 people living in
Mendrelgang village.
ADVERTISEMENT
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
TRAINING INSTITUTE OF
BHUTAN
The Financial Institutions Training Institute’s Board
(FITI Board) would like to announce the vacancy
for the following post. Detailed job profiles and other
requirements can be downloaded from RMA website
at www.rma.org.bt
Sl.#
Post
1
Director, FITI
2
Project Manager, Civil Engineer
3
Site Supervisor, Diploma in Civil Engineer
4
Accountant
ANNOUNCEMENT
ROYAL BHUTAN POLICE
(Crime & Operations)
RBP/HQ/DCP/C&O-148/2014(1786)
This is to inform the general public that the RBP is
prohibiting the following activities in Thimphu in the
interest of public peace and safety.
1. Exploding of crackers during Tsechu/Drubchhen/
Deepawali and Dassain is strictly banned. Anyone
indulging in such activity will be arrested and
changed for disturbance of peace & tranquility and
risk posed to personal & public safety.
2. All forms of gambling during the occasions such
as Drubchhen/Tsechu is completely banned.
During the festivals all the stalls must be set up in
sites allocated by Thimphu Thromde or any other
competent authority. All items of gambling will
be seized and people indulge in such acts will be
arrested and charged to the court.
Deputy Chief of Police
Crime & Operations
Royal Bhutan Police
ANNOUNCEMENT
MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND
HUMAN RESOURCES
Department of Employment
MoLHR/DoE-21/2014-2015/1409
This is to inform the general public that the suspension
of the licence of Lama Youth Employment Private
Limited (Bhutanese Overseas Employment Agent)
for period of six months w.e.f August 12, 2014 is
hereby revoked and Lama Youth Employment Private
Limited is permitted to function as usual.
For further clarification, please contact at 333867/
Ext:2083.
Director
Royal Thimphu College
Notice Inviting Quotation for IT/Office Equipment
Royal Thimphu College (RTC) would like to solicit sealed quotations from interested
bidders for the supply of IT Equipment – Server, Network Switch, Printer, etc.
Tenders may be obtained free of charge from the college campus at Ngabiphu or City
Office at Room#56, Chang Lam Plaza, Thimphu or downloaded from our website at
www.rtc.bt.
Tenders will be available from 27th Sept. onwards and submission deadline is 10th Oct’14.
For further info. you may contact us at 7724-7640/1796-2288/351801-Ext. 113/144
ANNOUNCEMENT
DUNGSAM CEMENT CORPORATION LIMITED
Dungsam Cement Corporation Limited (DCCL) is floating corporate bonds (Series
II) amounting to Nu. 700 million. All interested public and private Institutions
and individuals are invited to purchase the Bonds. The following are the terms and
conditions;
Issuer
: Dungsam Cement Corporation Limited
Broker
: BNB Securities Limited
Total Issue Size
: Nu. 700 million
Public Offering
: Nu.350 million
Tenure
: 10 years
Face Value
: Nu. 1000/Issue price
: Nu. 1000/Minimum subscription : 1000 (one thousand) units for institutions and
10(ten) units for private individuals
Coupon/Interest rate : 9% per annum ( Semi-annual payment)
Opening Date
: September 27, 2014
Closing Date
: November 4, 2014
Allotment date
: Within 30 days of closing date
Allotment
: The allotment will be done based on the ‘Equal
allocation method’ of RSEBL
Tax Exemption
: Coupon amount will be exempted for the purpose
of PIT.
Security
: Fully secured by DHI with the pledge of equity shares
of one of its subsidiary company
Kindly read the prospectus and abridged prospectus for more detailed information on
the Bond being issued. A copy of the application form and prospectus can be obtained
from the DCCL website (www.dccl.bt), DHI website (www.dhi.bt), and BNB
offices and branches.
For any clarification, please contact Ms. Dorji Zhangmo, DCCL, (M:17660296,
e-mail : [email protected]) or Ms. Deki Peldon, BNB (M:77100360,
e-mail: [email protected])
DCCL Management
ADVERTISEMENT
PAGE 13
KEEP THIMPHU CLEAN & GREEN
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT
LETTER OF INVITATION
THIMPHU THROMDE
Post Box No. - 215
Thimphu - 11001
MINISTRY OF WORKS & HUMAN
SETTLEMENT
Department of Human Settlement,
Thimphu
05/TT/ADM/2014/7639
Matters Concerning E4 Precincts in Thimphu Thromde
DHS/SGISD/GIS-16/GDB(02)/2014-15/159
All plots, irrespective of area is to be allowed to be transacted if the
plots are to be bought/sold as a whole;
b)
All plots, more than 7 decimals in area, is to be allowed to be developed,
subject to 20% coverage and two floors in height as per the existing
Development Control Regulations;
c)
Plots below 7 decimals is to be recommended for consolidation to
make them sizable for development;
d)
In view of the land owners being disadvantaged for more than 10 years
the points (a), (b) and (c) above be specifically applied to resolve issues
related to existing plots which are less than 25 decimals;
e)
No plot is to be subdivided that will create area less than 25 decimals.
This is to be applied to existing plots which are above 25 decimals;
f)
In the event a plot owner wants to increase its acreage to 25 decimals
or more by purchasing from neighboring plot, the same is to be
allowed. However, such transactions shall not facilitate creation of
plots below 25 decimals to the sellers;
Director
g)
Because of the inherent loophole in the ‘attic’ and ‘basement’ rule and
in order to avoid excessive cutting of the hillsides and to avoid increase
in density, there will be no ‘attic’ or ‘basement’ in the E4 areas;
LETTER OF INVITATION
h)
No plots or land is to be allotted to any individuals or agencies from
the E4 areas and
i)
The point IV (a) to be rephrased as “ Any policy changes in E4 areas
shall be approved by the government”.
The DHS now invites CDB registered consultants to
submit proposal in providing the service. Interested
consultants may purchase the RFP documents from
the survey and GIS Division (SGISD), DHS from
October 2, 2014 during office hours. The cost of
RFP document is Nu. 500.00. The details of ToR can
be found in MoWHS website www.mowhs.gov.bt
The selection process of a consultant shall be in
accordance with the procedures set out in the
Procurement Rules and Regulations.
a)
Proposal must be submitted to SGISD, DHS at 11.30
am on November 3, 2014. The technical proposal
will be opened on the same day at 2.30 pm in the
presence of intending bidders who choose to attend
the opening in the chamber of Director, DHS.
MINISTRY OF WORKS & HUMAN
SETTLEMENT
Department of Human Settlement,
Thimphu
The Government, after intensive deliberation, has decided as follows with
regard to matters concerning E4 precincts in Thimphu Thromde:
The Department of Human Settlement (DHS) has a
budget provision from RGoB for the Procurement of
Consultancy Services to develop Geodatabase for
Paro Valley.
Reference: The 43rd Lhengye Zhungtshog held on July 22, 2014.
Thrompon
DHS/SGISD/GIS-19(2)/2014-15/156
The Department of Human Settlement (DHS) has a
budget provision from RGoB for the Procurement of
Consultancy Services to conduct Geotechnical Study
for Kabesa and Gasa Proposed townships.
The DHS now invites CDB registered consultants to
submit proposal in providing the service. Interested
consultants may purchase the RFP documents from
the survey and GIS Division (SGISD), DHS from
October 1, 2014 during office hours. The cost of RFP
document is Nu. 500.00. The details of ToR can be
found in MoWHS website www.mowhs.gov.bt
The selection process of a consultant shall be in
accordance with the procedures set out in the
Procurement Rules and Regulations.
NOTICE INVITING LIMITED TENDER
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
Administration and Finance Division
MoE/PRO-5/2014/1778
The Education Blue Print Project, Ministry of Education would like to invite the sealed
bids from the eligible Bhutanese firms having valid trade licence for the following:
Sl.#
Tender particular
Submission
period
Opening period
1
Rates for hiring of Coaster Buses
for 21 days (w.e.f October 9, 2014
to October 31, 2014)
10 am September
30, 2014
11 am September
30, 2014
2
Printing of questionaires
10 am September
30, 2014
11 am September
30, 2014
Proposal must be submitted to SGISD, DHS at 11.30
am on October 31, 2014. The technical proposal
will be opened on the same day at 2.30 pm in the
presence of intending bidders who choose to attend
the opening in the chamber of Director, DHS.
Tender documents can be obtained from Ministry’s website for free of cost. For
further information, please contact the Procurement Section at telephone no.
325420 during office hours or visit our website at www.education.gov.bt.
Director
Chief Administrative Officer
ADVERTISEMENT
PAGE 14 Saturday, September 27, 2014 | KUENSEL
CONSTRUCTION DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION LIMITED
Western Operation, Hesothangkha, Wangdue
WO/PE/2014/Workshop/08/298
Western Operation, on behalf of CDCL, Hesothangkha invites sealed bids from eligible contractors registered with Construction Development
Board fulfilling the eligibility qualification specified herein the tender documents for the construction of below mentioned works:
Sl#
Name of work
Sale date
Submission
Opening
Cost Nu.
Period
Class
1
Construction of compound chain link/
barbed wire fencing for new Workshop
at Tobjikha, Wangdue
September 29, 2014
to October 11, 2014
October 13,
2014 at 10 AM
October 13, 2014
at 10:30 AM
500/-
3 months
Small
2
Construction of wind wall at Tobjikha,
site
September 29, 2014
to October 11, 2014
October 13,
2014 at 10 AM
October 13, 2014
at 10:30 AM
300/-
3 months
Small
Interested bidders may obtain a complete set of bidding documents from the office of Western Operation, CDCL, Hesothangka (Phone #
481348/481461) or Accounts Section, CDCL, on any working day upon payment of non-refundable fee towards cost of tender documents
mentioned above with bid security equivalent to 2% of quoted amount through bank draft drawn in favor of General Manager, Western Operation,
CDCL, Hesothangka payable at Bank of Bhutan Ltd. Wangdue.
The sale of tender will be till 12 noon on October 11, 2014.
Regional General Manager
INVITATION OF BIDS
MINISTRY OF HEALTH
Department of Medical Supplies & Health Infrastructure
Health Infrastructure Development Division
2/HIDD/DMSHI/2014-2015/119
Sealed item rate bids are invited from the eligible contractors and suppliers having valid trade licence & tax clearance certificate for execution of
following works:
Sl.#
Name of work
Category
Duration
EMD
(Nu.)
Date of
sale of
documents
1
Construction of UG RCC water tank,
Laundry drying shed & compound fencing
at Phuentsholing Hospital
Contract
work:
Small
4 months
47,000/-
October 1,
2014
2
Supply, installation, testing commissioning
of steel racks, electric forklift, platform
trolley & hand pallets at MSDD warehouse,
Phuentsholing.
Supply of
goods
65,000/-
October 1,
2014
3 months
Date & time
of submission
Date, time &
venue of opening
November 4, 2014
November 4,
at 1 PM in Hospital
2014 till 11:30 AM
conference hall
November 4,
2014 till 12:30
AM
November 4, 2014
at 2:30 PM in
MSDD conference
hall
1. The bidding shall be conducted through National Competitive Bidding procedures as per the RGoB Procurement Rules and Regulations.
2. Interested eligible bidders &suppliers may collect bidding document from the office of the Administrative Officer, Phuentsholing Hospital (Sl.
No. 1 above ) & Adm. Officer, MSDD, P/Ling (Sl. No. 2 above) from October 1, 2014 to October 31, 2014 during working hours and must
be submitted to the same office on November 4, 2014 at 11:30 AM & 12:30 PM respectively.
3. All bids shall be accompanied by a bid security of fixed amount as mentioned above.
4. The cost of tender document is Nu.500.00
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL FOR REVIEWING
PROJECT FINANCING AGREEMENT ( PFA )
SAARC DEVELOPMENT FUND SECRETARIAT
3rd Floor, BDBL Building
Norzin Lam, Thimphu
SDF invites proposals from interested legal consulting firms/ individual to review
the SDF’s Project Financing Agreements (PFA) and suggest changes, if any. Eligible
firms/ professionals with adequate experience are requested to submit their proposals
for conducting the assignment by 5:30 P.M on October 06, 2014.
For more information, please contact us at:
[email protected] or at + 975-2-321152/321153
Chief Engineer
ANNOUNCEMENT
JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION OF
BHUTAN
The Journalists Association of Bhutan (JAB) would
like to hire a legal firm or individual lawyer on
retainership basis for a year. Therefore, interested
firms and individuals are requested to submit quotes
for one year latest by October 15, 2014 along with
the CV to JAB’s office, flat 201, Karsang Building,
Chorten Lam. For further information, please contact
JAB’s programme officer at 02-339154/17569972 or
JAB’s General Secretary at 17141337
ADVERTISEMENT
PAGE 15
“Your Relationship
Bank”
ANNOUNCEMENT
BHUTAN NATIONAL BANK LIMITED/ T BANK LTD.
BNBL/HRA/TH-01/2014/3508
The following properties of BNBL & T-Bank will be sold in an OPEN AUCTION on 17.10.2014 (Friday ) at 10:00 AM in the RICBL Conference Hall, (RICBL Building, Thimphu) on “AS IS
WHERE IS BASIS” and the interested bidders are requested to inspect the properties prior to the auction.
Thram
No.
Plot No.
Location
Land (55 decimals)
863
117/A&
118/E
Land (1 Acre)
789
51/B
Kalikharka,
Phuentsholing
Bhalujohra,
Pasakha
#
Property Details
1
2
Vehicle No.
1668
164/D
4
Land (30 Dec) with
4 nos. single storied
building.
Land (23,522.40 Sqft.)
97-30
55
5
Land (73,616.40 Sqft.)
PT-120
47/A &49
6
Land (3.419 Acres)
879
CHR-3932
& CHR3946
7
Land (38 Dec)
127
76
8
Land (3 Acres )& 2
storied building
977
2658
9
Land (3 Acres)
10
Land (14 Dec.)
PT-317
11
12
Land (0.403 Acre)
Land (0.239 Acre)
1776
1776
13
Land (11,761 Sqft.)
1262
14
Land (0.932 Acres)
461
15
Land (9.12 Acres)
149
3
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
LPT-2516 10 wheeler,
2010
LPT-2516 10 wheeler,
2010
SK1613 Tata Tipper,
2010
SK1613 Tata Tipper,
2010
SK1613 Tata Tipper,
2010
JCB 4DX Backhoe Pay
Loader, 2007
PC-200-8, Komatsu
Excavator, 2010
46
PGT-2212
25
26
Road Roller Speed
Craft 8-10
Air Compressor, Diesel
Power 300/100
Land (8,860.10 Sqft.)
Pemathang,
Gelephug
Garbari, Samtsi
Jalitar,
Phuentsholing
Tamshing,
Bumthang.
Gangkha,
Chapcha.
Gidagom,
Mewang.
Balujohra,
Pasakha
Chenbari,
Pasakha.
Toribari, P.Ling
Toribari, P.Ling
Babesa
Thimphu.
46,46 A,
58A,59A
BP-2-A5680
28
Land (15 Dec.)
312 C
29
Land (6534 Sqft.)
536
30
Land (80 Dec.)
175
31
Land ( 10 Dec.)
1144
32
Land (36 Dec.)
1144
33
Land (33 Dec.)
318
36
37
38
39
Jigtak/Deothang,
S/jongkhar
Phuntsholing
Running
Phuntsholing
Running
Contact# 17601435
Wangdue
(Satkilo)
Running
BP-2-A5845
Contact # 77222777
Phuntsholing
Running
Contact# 17601435
Wangdue
(Satkilo)
Wangdue
(Satkilo)
Wangdue
(Satkilo)
Wangdue
(Satkilo)
Wangdue
(Satkilo)
BP-2-A5846
BP-2-A3374
BP-2-1913
Contact # 77222777
112
Nil
35
BP-2-A5844
Nil
Land (1,480 Sqft) & 3storied traditional b/ding
34
Contact# 77222777
BP-2-A5681
BP-2-A5684
27
MON-1052 Traling, Monggar
23 Bolero Camp-D/C, 2010 BP-2-A9420
24
Remarks
167/A
Phuntsholing
Changzamtok,
Thimphu
Running
Running
Running
40
41
42
43
44
45
Running
BP-1-A3225
Running
BP-1-A3295
Jitsiphu, Paro
Off Road
BP-1-A2450
Jitsiphu, Paro
Off Road
Near Police
Camp,
BP-1-A3080
Off Road
Jigmeling,
Gelephu
Denchi, Shumar
P/Assets of Poultry
Details available at BNBL, T/phu
Gewog, P/
Farm
& S/jongkhar.
gatshel
Land (4,792.50 Sqft.) &
Mothithang
2 Nos. of (3 storied with
Nil
50 (A) II
(below BOD),
Attic) B/dings
Thimphu
2 Nos. of Water
Details availabe at BNBL, T/phu &
%UDQFK2I¿FH
Usable
Dispense
Samtse
BNBL, Samtse
Ashok Leyland 1613
BP-2-A 5862
BNBL, Thimphu Running
Tipper (2010)
Ashok Leyland 1613
BP-2-A5860
BNBL, Thimphu Running
Tipper (2010)
BNBL,
Scrap IT Assets
Scrap
S/jongkgar
Details available at BNBL, T/phu & S/
jongkha.
BNBL,
Furnitute & Fixture
Scrap
S/jongkhar
Unusable/
Computer items
Details available at BNBL, T/phu BNBL, Thimphu
repairable
Tata Backhoe Pay
Loader (2011)
DETAILS T-BANK PROPERTIES TO BE AUCTIONED TOGETHER
#
Running
Running
Tata-Zaxis-210
Excavator (2011)
Hitachi- Zaxis 210
Excavator (2011)
SameRange Tractor
503 (2010)
Drametse,
Mongar
Babesa (above
82PT/A
IT park)
Thimphu
Balujora,
17
Pasakha,
Phuntsholing
Semtokha,
46/A
Thimphu
Tsentok Gewog,
TSE-6465
Paro
TSE.
Tsentok Gewog,
7472
Paro
Tsentok Gewog,
4
Paro
Tintibi,
Zhemgang
1
Property Details
1
Dry Land (35 Dec)
2
3
Tata Tripper (2011)
Tata Truck (2010)
Volvo Excavator
(2011)
Indigo ECS Car (2011)
4
5
Vehicle No.
Thram
No.
919
Plot
No.
115/B
BP-2-A5939
BP-2-A6021
BP-1-A3124
BP-1-C0848
Location
Remarks
Dzomlingthang,
Gelephu
TBL, Wangdi
TBL, Phuntsoling
Tangmachu,
Lhuntse
TBL, Thimphu
Running
Running
Running
Running
COMMON TERMS & CONDITIONS
1
All potential purchasers must register before 9.30 AM on the day of Auction.
2
A registration fees of Nu.300 ( Non Refundable ) with an earnest money of Nu.25,000.00 to be deposited in cash not later than 10.00 AM on the day of auction.
3
Earnest money of unsuccessful bidders shall be refunded.
7KHKLJKHVWELGGHUZLOOEHWKHSXUFKDVHUDQGQRELGGHUVKDOOEHDOORZHGWRUHWUDFWWKHLUELGV$OOVDOHVDUH¿QDODQGELQGLQJ 5
For every successful bid, the purchaser is required to make payment of 25% of the bid amount by CASH immediately after the fall of hammer. The balance is to be paid on or before the
expiry of ten days from the date of Auction and take delivery of the property.
6
The purchaser will not be entitled to possession of the property ( ies) purchased until the total purchase price have been fully paid and adjusted. In the event that the purchaser fails to pay
the full purchase price for the property within the prescribed time, deposits/part payment made shall be forfeited.
7
The purchaser shall be deemed to have inspected the property to their full satisfaction before making their bid(s).
8
The Bank may at any time before the property is sold withdraw the property from the sale.
7KHGHFLVLRQRIWKH$XFWLRQ&RPPLWWHHWRDFFHSWRUUHMHFWWKHELGZLWKRXWDVVLJQLQJDQ\UHDVRQVKDOOEH¿QDODQGELQGLQJ
)RU DQ\ FODUL¿FDWLRQ3OHDVH FRQWDFW WKH /(*$/ '(3$570(17 %1%/7KLPSKX RU FDOO @328577-88Extn.129/178 or 17117499/17115700 for
BNBL properties and for T-Bank properties contact /HJDO2IÀFHU7%/7KLPSKXDWH[WQ; Branch Head, Phuntsholing
at 05253156, 77190088; Branch Manager, TBL, Wangdue at # 77191215/2016 and Branch Manager, TBL, Gelephu at 77190088/99
“Your
Relationship Bank”
www.bnb.bt
Management
ADVERTISEMENT
PAGE 16 Saturday, September 27, 2014 | KUENSEL
ANNOUNCEMENT
BHUTAN TELECOM LTD.
BT/Mkt-09/2014
5% Tax on BT Services
Bhutan Telecom Ltd. would like to inform all its valued customers that all our services
will be levied 5% tax w.e.f. October 1, 2014. The 5% tax will be implemented as
follows:
Prepaid Services:
1.
Broadband Prepaid:
The data quota for prepaid broadband packages will be reduced as follows:
Package
Monthly
Tariff(Nu)
Data Limit
(Existing)
Data Limit
Including 5% Tax
Validity
Home
399.00
4 GB
3.8GB
30 days
Office
1499.00
16 GB
15.2 GB
30 days
Enterprise
2499.00
27 GB
25.65
30 days
2.
B-Mobile Prepaid:
Top Up Amount (Nu)
Airtime (Existing)
Airtime (5% Service Tax)
100
100
95
3.
B-Mobile Prepaid Data Packages
Top Up Amount
(Nu)
99
Data Plan (Existing)
Data Plan (5%
Service Tax)
MINISTRY OF ECONOMIC
AFFAIRS
Department of Cottage and Small
Industry
The Department of Cottage and Small Industry,
Ministry of Economic Affairs invites sealed tenders
from eligible Bhutanese suppliers/dealers having
valid trade licence for supplying the machines and
equipment for small and cottage industries such
as Incense, Cane and Bamboo Furniture and
Furniture Units.
The details of equipment list, bidding document,
terms and conditions can be downloaded from the
ministry’s website: www.moea.gov.bt
Last date for submission of tender document is on
October 28, 2014 at 11:00 AM at DCSI office,
MoEA, Thimphu. The tender will be opened in the
presence of the bidders on the same day at 11:30 am
in DCSI, Conference hall.
For further enquiry, please contact 02 325028/325627
during office hours.
Chief Industries Officer
500 MB + 30 SMS (worth of Nu 167.1 ) 470 MB + 30 SMS
299
2GB + 30 SMS (worth of Nu 642.64 )
1.89GB + 30 SMS
Postpaid Services:
5% tax will be levied on monthly(or annually for few services) bills for
1.
Broadband postpaid
2. Enterprise services such as Internet Leased Line, VPN etc
3. System services such as mail hosting, web hosting, domain registration etc
4. B-Mobile postpaid voice package
5. B-Mobile postpaid data packages
6. Fixed line service
Credit Talk Time
Bhutan Telecom Ltd. would like to inform all its valued B-Mobile prepaid customers
that the Credit Talk Time service of Nu. 15 will not be available from the 1st of
October, 2014. We regret the inconvenience that this may cause.
India Tariff Revision
Bhutan Telecom Ltd would also like to inform all our valued B-Mobile customers that
the tariff for calls to India will be revised from Nu. 5 per minute to Nu. 7.5 per
minute from October 1st, 2014.
Bhutan Telecom would like to thank all its valued customers for their continued
support and understanding.
For any enquiry, please contact us at 1600 or visit our website at www.bt.bt
ADDENDUM I FOR AN INVITATION TO BID
NOTIFICATION
ROAD SAFETY AND TRANSPORT
AUTHORITY
RSTA/RS-17/2014/629
This is for the general information of all concerned
that the Road Safety and Transport Authority will
be organizing a two day training program on “Road
Safety and Traffic Discipline and Awareness
Campaigns” for the motorist and all road users on
the following dates:
Date
Venue
Participants
October 6 & 7, 2014
Thimphu
Taxi drivers
October 9 & 10, 2014
Trongsa
Taxi & truck
drivers
October 13 & 14, 2014 Bumthang
General public
October 16 & 17, 2014 Thimphu
Taxi drivers
October 23 & 24, 2014 Gasa
October 27 & 28, 2014 Dagana
October 30 & 31, 2014 Thimphu
UNDP, THIMPHU.
Procurement Process
: ITB- Invitation to Bid
Office
: UNDP Office, Thimphu – Bhutan
Development Area
: Supply of metallic parts for the improved
stoves project
Revised Deadline for bid submission : 7th October 2014 at 12 noon
A pre-bid meeting will also be held on 2nd October 2014 at 10am at UNDP.
For any further information you may contact Ms. Tshering Palden, UNDP
Procurement
Associate
at
[email protected],
phone
number
322424/334570/334571/334572
General public
Taxi & truck
drivers
General public
Therefore, both driving licence and learner permit
holders who have not undergone the above training
courses are requested to register their names at the
nearest RSTA Regional and Base Office (s) at least
two days before the commencement of the training.
Please note that the registration will be done on first
come first serve basis.
Director General
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FEATURE
Saturday, September 27, 2014 | KUENSEL PAGE 17
A man with a mission in
the mountains
A hydromet engineer exhibits single-minded dedication to his task of GLOF mitigation
Jigme Wangchuk
Lunana in September is cold,
utterly cold. There is rain and
snow all day and nothing else.
Wind bites with fangs into
skins.
LAKES
In a dank, claustrophobic
room in Tenche, a village that
a roiling river separates from
Thanza, is a man in a blue
Mammut jacket, looking at the
weather records maintained by
the person at the flood warning
station.
Sangay Tenzin from Tangmachu in Lhuentse is an engineer with the Department of
Hydromet Services. This tall
and handsome man makes
sure that people get right,
timely and glacial lake outburst
flood (GLOF) information.
All’s right here. Just a few
days ago, he was in Woche,
days’ walk from Lunana proper, installing automatic water
level station. He will go see
that all the stations are working. This is Sangay’s 14th trip
to Lunana.
Earth is heating up fast
and glacial lakes in Bhutan’s
mountains are becoming a
major risk. In 1994, Lunana’s
Lugge Tsho caused a massive
flood that claimed lives along
Phochu (river). Since then,
many lake mitigation projects
were undertaken. Yet the risk
looms large.
After the Lugge incident
in 1994, mitigation project
at Rapstreng lake began with
funding from the government
of India. There was then the
need for establishment of a
weather information system.
In 2002, Hydromet Unite
began to gather and provide
weather information. It also
started monitoring the lakes.
Of course, everything was done
manually. A technician and a
rain gauge reader used to be
sent.
Sangay Tenzin
United Nations’ National
Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) for Bhutan says
that for a small and developing
nation in the “fragile eastern
Himalayan ecosystem, Bhutan’s key sectors affected by
the adverse effects of climate
change include infrastructure,
agriculture, forestry, water resources, energy and health.”
The most significant impact,
it said, is the rapid melting of
glaciers that will not only affect
the base flow of the rivers, but
will also greatly increase the
risk of GLOFs. NAPA outlined nine priority location-specific activities,
but because there was urgent
need to address potential
GLOFs, the project focused on
three priority activities: artificially lowering the water level
in Thorthormi lake, increasing the capacity for disaster
risk management in affected
valleys, and installing a technical early warning system for
GLOFs.
In 2009, the project started installing early warning
systems along Punakha and
Wangdue valleys. There is
today automatic water level
station in all four major lakes,
two automatic weather stations
combined with water level stations, 17 siren stations (three in
Lunana and 14 along Punakha
and Wangdue valleys), and a
control station in Wangdue.
These stations provide realtime data. The installation
project was completed in 2011.
“It was a huge challenge,
to transport heavy and sophisticated equipment,” says
Sangay Tenzin. “Men had to
carry the equipment on their
backs.” Even if a nut or a bolt
was missing, they had to halt
and wait. Men had to sleep on
the path to stop the yaks from
returning.
With the balance fund
from the project, an automatic
warning station and three
automatic water level stations were installed along the
Mochu, one in Laya, one in
Tashithang and one in Yabisa.
“Unless you take this kind
of challenge personally, noth-
ing much can be achieved,”
says Sangay Tenzin. “I believe
in working for something that
has greater social value.”
In an undertaking like this,
there were no monetary benefits, none at all. Everything is
arranged and whatever happens along the way one has
to cope with it. Sometimes,
Sangay had to pay the porters
from his daily sustenance allowance.
“It’s now easy for me. Mobile connection has helped a
lot. This part of the country
used to be total cut off,” says
Sangay. “There is always a
worry. Life is at a risk. Usually people tend to magnify
the problem once they reach
and go back from a place like
Lunana. I don’t do that. There
are problems and there will always be problems. The important thing is one has to know
what one is doing and not lose
focus.”
It was late October in 2013.
Sangay and his team were
working at Thorthormi lake.
There was a heavy snow and
Sangay knew that there would
be some problem. Ganglakarchung, the highest pass between Laya and Lunana, was
completely blocked by snow.
But they decided to stay where
they were, and a nasty snowstorm wreaked havoc with the
team’s plan not much later.
GLOF mitigation in the
Bhutanese Himalayas is big
and seen as example for countries like Nepal and Pakistan
where GLOF risks are high.
Knowledge and experience
from Bhutan will be shared
with other GLOF-risk countries. Although many people were sceptical about the
project, it has been a success.
“We’ve been successful
because we’re damn serious
about it,” says Sangay who is
considered indispensible in his
department. In many ways he
is. There are people in San-
“Unless you
take this kind
of challenge
personally,
nothing
much can be
achieved”
Sangay Tenzin
Engineer
Dept. of hydromet
services
gay’s department who think
that, if Sangay leaves, there
won’t be anyone to replace
him and that things could go
wrong. But Sangay has been
silently training young engineers by taking them to the
lakes with him.
“I’m confident that they
can now handle everything
perfectly,” says Sangay.
All the automatic weather
and warning stations that Sangay and his team installed are
intact and running, because
the community has taken
ownership. They know their
lives depend on the many siren
systems along the river.
“It’s because of this that
the project in our country has
been successful,” says Sangay,
beaming with pride.
But there is a great risk
looming. Thorthormi is swelling drastically. Betsho, a lake
that was just a pond a few years
ago too is expanding at the
head of Thanza village.
Rain is relentless and the
mountains beyond are thick
with snow. Sangay will stay
behind for 10 more days and
oversee the construction of a
new flood warning station.
“We’re already late,” says
Sangay and scurries into his
tent to where his love is waiting, cold in a bottle. Black
Mountain Whisky here is a
dear and fast friend for hard
and determined people like
Sangay.
HOME
Matter does not merit
battling...
From Pg.1
The press release also stated
that Dasho Benji’s representative, Bhutan Law Service, will
prove that DPT is infringing
on Dasho Benji’s fundamental
right to freedom of opinion and
expression.
“If instructed, they will defend Dasho Benji’s comment,
even though it was made casually and on a Facebook page
that is host to many worse comments,” the press release stated.
“To do so, they will draw the
Honourable Courts’ attention
to events that transpired during and immediately after the
DPT’s term in government, and
comment on their impact on
our King, country and people.”
Dasho Benji, also stated
that DPT has called his comment inflammatory, partisan
and divisive and accused him
of undermining the unity, harmony, peace and prosperity of
our nation.
“These are very serious
charges and the burden of proving each now befalls on DPT,”
Dasho Benji said. “By deliberately blowing a casual comment
on Facebook out of context, it is
DPT, who is actually inflammatory, partisan and divisive.”
The former deputy minister
also alleged that, by threatening to resign en bloc, it was DPT
who was actually undermining
the unity, harmony, peace and
prosperity of the nation.
Dasho Benji stated that he
feels that the matter should not
have been taken to court as he
did not and does not intend to
destroy any person or any political party.
He claimed that he made
a comment, using a common
English idiom, to take part in a
Facebook discussion that had
already gone out of hand.
He also claimed that the
DPT has publicly humiliated
him and challenged his integrity
and honour.
Dasho Benji claimed that
while he would humbly submit
to the royal courts of law and
follow due process, he would
refuse to submit to the heavyhandedness of DPT, or to have
his fundamental right of freedom of opinion and expression
taken away by the very people,
who should be fighting to protect the fundamental rights of
all Bhutanese.
Although the comment had
been removed from Facebook
and the link was unavailable,
Dasho Benji stated that his
comment was a response to a
Facebook user, Guy Harris Dorji’s comment, which read: “So
true what the DPT says about
this government. We rather
not have government because
there is no impact of haven
them (having them) except for
negative impacts due to their
greed. Aren’t we feeding them
like pigs? The money which can
be used to build bridges and
roads are all eaten by the politicians. I am sure our country
can handle quite well without
a government. If re-election is
too expensive, we can run the
government under emergency
rule.”
He claimed that his response was: “After robbing the
country blind, the DPT has the
gumption to raise its voice. Hahaha! ”
Dasho Benji also said Facebook, like other social media, is
simply a platform for exchange
of personal, often contradictory, views with fellow users,
and his comment was just one
such passing exchange that
was meant to be a humorous
counter to what he thought was
a baseless comment on our government by another person.
Fuel Prices
(In Nu)
Dzongkhag
Diesel
Petrol
Kerosene
LPG
Thimphu(DPCL)
61.58
68.46
14.94
508
P/Ling(Damchen) 59.83
66.46
13.86
456
*Prices as of yesterday
Phobjikha celebrates
World Tourism Day
The community of Phobjikha,
students and all tourism stakeholders will celebrate World
Tourism Day today at Phobjikha, Wangduephodrang.
Organised by TCB, the theme
this year is, ‘Tourism and Community Development.’
Economic affairs minister
Norbu Wangchuk will grace
the event.
TCB officials said the
theme this year focuses on
social, cultural, political and
economic values or tourism
and community development,
among others.
Located about 75km from
Wangduephodrang, Phobjikha relates perfectly with the
theme this year, officials said.
Records with TCB show
about 24 households in Phobjikha who actively participated
into converting few of their
rooms as farmhouse stays,
thereby realising the benefits
of community based sustainable tourism (CBST).
Tourism officials said CBST
is an alternative income option, as well as an opportunity
for employment.
The CBST in Phobjikha
mainly focuses on development of tourism products,
facilities, and services like capacity building of local communities.
FLIGHTS
DrukAir
Date
Flight No.
Departure
Arrival
September 28 Bangkok to Paro via Bagdogra
September 28 Paro to Bangkok via Guwahati
September 28 Paro to Kathmandu
September 28 Kathmandu to Paro
September 28 Delhi to Paro
September 28 Paro to Delhi
September 28 Singapore to Paro via Kolkatta
September 28 Paro to Mumbai
September 28 Mumbai to Paro
Route
KB 131
KB 140
KB 400
KB 401
KB 404
KB 405
KB 205
KB 204
KB 501
KB 206
KB 207
06:50 am
02:10 pm
07:00 am
08:45 am
10:50 am
12:15 pm
02:00 pm
11:00 am
06:30 am
08:10 am
12:10 pm
10:00 am
07:40 pm
08:05 am
10:20 am
11:35 am
01:30 pm
04:50 pm
01:00 pm
10:40 am
10:50 am
03:40 pm
September 29 Bangkok to Paro via Guwahati
September 29 Paro to Bangkok via Dhaka
September 29 Delhi to Paro via Kathmandu
September 29 Paro to Delhi via Kathmandu
September 29 Paro to Kolkata
September 29 Kolkata to Paro
September 29 Paro to Bangkok via Bagdogra
KB 141
KB 126
KB 205
KB 204
KB 210
KB 211
KB 130
KB 402
KB 403
06:50 am
10:05 am
11:45 am
08:00 am
07:20 am
09:10 am
11:15 am
11:40 am
01:20 pm
10:15 am
03:10 pm
03:35 pm
10:45 am
08:20 am
11:10 am
04:20 pm
12:45 pm
02:55 pm
Note : All timings in local. Timings are subject to change. Call Drukair toll free No. 1300 for latest flight information.
Bhutan Airlines (Tashi Air)
September 28 Bangkok to Paro via Kolkata
September 28 Paro to Bangkok via Kolkata
06:30 am
10:50 am
09:05 am
07:30 am
10:20 am
04:40 pm
10:30 am
08:25 am
September 29 Bangkok to Paro via Kolkata
September 29 Paro to Bangkok via Kolkata
06:30 am
10:50 am
09:25 am
07:45 am
10:20 am
04:40 pm
10:50 am
08:40 am
TO ADVERTISE IN KUENSEL:
Call 326191 or fax 326638; or email us at advertisement@
kuensel.com.bt
HOME
Religious bodies’ dress
codes to be formalised
Tashi Tenzin
Dress codes for lams, trulkus,
monks and nuns under various religious institutes registered with choedhay lhentshog (religious organisation)
will be drafted to serve as a
reference henceforth.
CHOEDHAY
Choedhay lhentshog’s
deputy chief program officer,
Phurba Dorji, said, although
dress codes for various post
holders the religious institutes are in place, there is no
formal document on it.
“It’s just there in sutras
like kanjur and tenjur,” he
said. “We now want to document it for future reference.”
However, religious institutions registered with
dratshang lhentshog are not
included.
Phurba Dorji clarified
that the idea was not to make
a uniform dress code for all
in mid-November.
Officials from choedhay
lhentshog said that various
religious Buddhist sects, like
Sakya, Nyingma and Geylug,
have their own dress codes,
depending on their posts.
Member secretary, lam
Pema Ugyen Namdrol said,
institutes under dratsang
lhentshog have their own
dress codes mentioned in
writing, while for other religious institutes, there is not
much.
“A reference would serve
as an identity for the religious
group,” lam Pema Ugyen
Namdrol said.
Meanwhile, there are 94
religious foundations registered under choedhay lhentshog, with numerous institutes under the foundations.
For instance, Nyingma
foundation has 165 religious
institutes under it, while Jamgoen foundation has 12.
“A reference
would serve as
an identity for
the religious
group”
Lam Pema Ugyen
Namdrol
Member secretary
Choedhay lhentshog
religious institutions in the
country.
The dress code, according to Phurba Dorji, is in line
with the religious organisation association Act, 2007.
During a meeting on September 25, sub-committee
members of choedhay lhentshog presented their findings
about the various dress code
practices in their institutions.
Respective representatives will again present their
papers with the changes in
the next meeting scheduled
ZAKAR
TOMORROW’S
Good day
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Bad day
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WRVWDUWQHZEXVLQHVV
$JRRGGD\IRUULWXDOVlazaIRUWKRVHERUQLQWKHGRJ\HDU
*HQHUDOO\DJRRGGD\sogzaIRUWKRVHERUQLQWKHVKHHS
\HDU
SEPTEMBER 29 MONDAY
Good day
WROHDUQDVWURORJ\
WRDSSRLQWWRQHZSRVW
WRVKLIWKRXVHRUHQWHULQDQHZKRXVH
WRVWDUWQHZEXVLQHVV
WRKDQGDQGWDNHRYHURIILFH
WRYLVLWKLJKHUDXWKRULWLHV
WRVRZVHHGV
WRSODQWWUHHVDQGIORZHUV
Bad day
WRPDUU\
$JRRGGD\IRUULWXDOVlazaIRUWKRVHERUQLQWKHVQDNHDQG
KRUVH\HDUV
*HQHUDOO\DJRRGGD\sogzaIRUWKRVHERUQLQWKHUDWDQG
SLJ\HDUV
$EDGGD\shedzaIRUWKRVHERUQLQWKHPRQNH\DQG
URRVWHU\HDUV
SEPTEMBER 27, 2014
WEATHER
Accused clerk claims
he’s a scapegoat
Yeshey Dema, Tsirang
shortage, after he misused
the money collected from
The Patsaling gewog clerk in people to buy potato seed.
Tsirang, who was terminated “The gup took Nu 5,000.”
in June this year for allegedly
Chabi Kumar Rai alleged
embezzling life and house that the gup and mangmi
insurance revenue, claimed took the money, saying that
that it was the gup and man- they would refund it. “The
gmi, who misused the fund.
gup refunded after I was
The clerk, Chabi Kumar terminated, but the mangmi
never did,” he said.
EMBEZZLEMENT
He also alleged that
he was terminated when
Rai, was accused of misusing he was on leave.
Nu 37,000 from life insurance
He said he reported to
revenue and Nu 15,000 from Anti Corruption Commission
house insurance collected and dzongkhag administrafrom people of Patsaling in tion about the issue, and he
2013.
hopes that an investigation
He, however, claimed that would be conducted.
the gewog mangmi misused
Patsaling gup refused
Nu 55,000 to recover the to answer his call, but in an
earlier interview, he said that
misuse was found in February this year, after the owner
of a house that was damaged
in a car accident came to
claim insurance.
“Records showed that his
house insurance premium
for 2013 was still due, but the
individual insisted he’d paid,”
the gup said.
The gup said the gewog
officials then crosschecked
the records and found the
clerk misused the money.
Gewog clerks are responsible for collecting life and
house insurance every year
and deposit the amount to
the dzongkhag revenue office.
PAGE 19
Max
Min
7KLPSKX
*DVD
7URQJVD
%XPWKDQJ
7UDVKLJDQJ
6DUSDQJ
3KXHQWVKROLQJ
Source: Meteorology Division, DHMS, MOEA
SPORTS
Teams start returning, without medals
Tashi Phuntsho
Some members of the national
team competing at the XVII
Asian Games at Incheon, Korea
will start returning home starting tomorrow, without medals.
ASIAD
After their competitions,
the tennis and archery teams
are the first to return. Tennis
player Tandin Wangchuk lost
to a Turkmenistan player in the
first round of the men’s single
match on September 24.
The men’s archery team
that played on September 23,
Jigme Norbu and Kinley Tshering ranked 54 and 55, while
Karma Tshering ranked 61 from
72 participants. In the women’s
category, 20-year-old Choki
Wangmo scored 1,026 and
ranked 55 from 56 participants.
However, among 32 teams,
Kinley Tshering qualified for
the top 16 after defeating Uzbekistan player by 125 scored
against 118. From the top 16
archers, Kinley Tshering entered in the top eight defeating
Japanese archer 134 and 126.
In the top eight, he lost to Park
Youngwon of Republic of Korea,
104 against 108 yesterday.
“Kinley Tshering made us
proud after defeating the Japanese player Farukawa Takaharu
in the men’s individual 1/16
elimination, who is the Silver
medallist in London 2012 Olympic competition,” the Bhutan
Archery Federation general secretary, Tsewang Rinchen, said.
All hope for securing a
medal faded away for the boxing team, after the last boxer
Tashi Norbu lost to Eshan Rouzbahani of Iran, 3:0, yesterday
in the Men Light Heavyweight
(81kg) 16 Finals.
All boxers, Phub Sigyel,
Sonam Thinley, Tshering
Wangchuk and Kinley Gyeltshen did not manage to secure a
point in their bouts to move forward in the XVII Asian games
In Action: Tashi Norbu (blue) fights Eshan Rouzbahani of Iran yesterday
in Incheon. They will remain
in Incheon till the closing ceremony on the October 4.
Meanwhile, from eighty
golfers, Bhutan’s Dechen Ugyen
shared the 37th position along
with Nazim from Bangladesh
and Tanka Bahadur Karki from
Nepal in the second round
individual event of the 17th
Asian Games at the Dream Park
Country Club on Friday. After
qualifying, the 22-year-old will
play in the third round today.
The Bhutanese team at the
Incheon Asian Games comprises 16 athletes and eight coaches.
Bhutan is participating in the
sporting disciplines of athletics,
archery, boxing, golf, shooting,
taekwondo and tennis.
The Asian Games is the
largest sporting event in Asia,
governed by the Olympic Council of Asia with 45 countries
taking part in 439 events in 36
sports.
Printed and published by Kuensel Corporation Limited, PO Box 204, Tel: 975-2-322483/324688, Fax: 975-2-322975, www.kuenselonline.com ISSN 0259 1499

Two-year deferment sought on domestic air service

Transcription

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