KUENSELTHAT THE PEOPLE SHALL BE INFORMED WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 2020

Domestic COVID-19 revenue - 47 to fall by GLOBAL 14 percent COVID-19 MB Subba SITUATION

The domestic revenue for fis- cal year 2020-21 is estimated at Nu 33,189 million (M), 6,374,831 which is one of the lowest in CONFIRMED CASES the recent past. This is 14 percent lower than that of the previous year mainly contributed by the 2,703,900 Covid-19 situation, accord- RECOVERED ing to the budget report for the fiscal year. Most Wanted: Presenting the annual budget in the National Assem- Pg 3 377,607 bly yesterday, Finance Minis- DEATHS ter said that with the travel restrictions, the estimated tourism receipts (SDF and Visa Fees) account- ing for five percent of the total High risk domestic revenue might not Govt. cancels countries be realised. He added the sales tax USA 1,859,597 collection from hotels, air- Chunaikhola Brazil 529,405 port tax, Corporate Income Tax (CIT) and Business In- Russia 414,878 come Tax (BIT) from tour- Spain 286,718 ism related business entities mining auction UK 276,332 would sharply drop as these Italy 233,197 are closely linked to tourist State Mining Corporation to mine dolomite for the time being arrivals. France 189,220 “Further due to the lock Rinzin Wangchuk expired last month. However, undertaken to participate in down in the neighbouring it was deferred to May 20 and the auction and assure that countries, imports and ex- n what came as a big then to June 3. the ministry will continue ports have been affected, blow to the prospective In a letter sent to the pro- to provided full support and Cases in the which will also result in lower bidders, the govern- spective bidders yesterday, co-operation in your business collection of sales tax and ment has cancelled Economic Affairs minister endeavours, and will keep you region customs duty,” he said. auctioning the Chu- stated that informed,” Lyonpo Loknath According to the budget Inaikhola dolomite mining while all arrangements have Sharma stated. India 199,343 report, the implementation of rights, which was scheduled been made to auction the Lyonchhen Dr Lotay Bangladesh 49,534 the new tax measures passed to conduct in Thimphu today. mine, the ministry in ac- Tshering asked the MoEA to Singapore 35,836 by Parliament will also im- The cancellation of auc- cordance with the directives discuss with State Mining Cor- Thailand 3,083 pact the revenue collection, tion of rights to mine dolomite received from Prime Minister poration Ltd. (SMCL) to look Nepal 1,811 as 17 percent from estimated in Pugli, Samtse, comes after on June 1 regrets to inform that into the operations of the mine personal income tax (PIT) fol- the economic affairs minis- the auction of the dolomite to ensure minimum business lowed by five percent from CIT try deferred the auction two mine is cancelled in view of activity to keep the service and five percent from sales tax times. Initially, the auction the Covid-19 exigency. afloat in the interim period Source: The Straits Times, ANN will be forgone. was scheduled for April 15 as “We are aware of the efforts after the present lease expires. As of June 2, 2020 Pg 2 the lease period of the mine and hard work that has been Pg 2 HOME PAGE 2 Wednesday, June 03, 2020| KUENSEL Govt. cancels Chunaikhola mining auction From Pg 1 including refractories. The Government’s stand lumps and chips are mostly In his letter to the eco- used as a flux in steel plants, nomic minister, Lyonchhen ferro alloys plants and sponge stated that the health and iron plants. economic burden of the As per the geological re- Covid-19 pandemic, like for assessment report 2019, the any government worldwide, study area has proven dolo- is weighing heavier by the mite geological reserve of day on the royal govern- 662.58M metric tonnesupto an ment. Governments around elevation level of 420m as of the globe have been unable mid-May 2019. Considering 15 to undertake major activities to 20 percent average increase as they are encumbered by in annual mine production Covid-19 response measures. from 2018 mine production rate of 3M metric tonnes of do- “The situation looks grim for Chunaikhola dolomite site Bhutan too, particularly with lomite, the deposit is expected the recent hike in positive to last 189 years. cases both within and outside for both the private sector and which completed 15 years mining area till Titi river in the Dolomite is original- Bhutan,” Lyonchhen stated. the government appears slime, mining lease period on May 14, east to prove the reserve and ly formed by post-depo- On the economic front, and this has compelled to re- submitted their bidding docu- grade of the dolomite and de- sitional alteration of lime according to Lyonchhen, consider the timeline. ments to participate in the auc- termine the long-term mining mud and limestone by businesses are going through The MoEA announced the tion. However, five applicants potential of the deposit. magnesium-rich groundwa- their worst times with in- auction of mining license be- were reportedly disqualified Chunaikhola dolomite ter under diagenesis process. creasing incidences of com- fore the expiry of the current for not fulfilling the eligibility mine is one of the biggest It is a common sedimentary panies filing bankruptcy, job lease period. The government criteria set by the ministry. opencast mines in the country rock forming mineral com- losses and closures. “Bhutan, intends to auction the mine that contributes substantial posed of calcium magnesium at this stage, is also in the before the expiry of the lease The Chunaikhola mines revenue to the country. Its di- carbonate. highest level of preventive to ensure business continuity. The deposit of Chunaikhola do- rect gross revenue contribu- In Bhutan occurrence of mode which has inevitably A total of 10 prospective lomite was mined by JMCL for tion to government from 2005 huge dolomite deposits are affected business, and in the bidders were supposed to par- a period of 15 years since May to 2018 was Nu 3.159 billion, well known within Manas unfortunate event of Covid- ticipate in the auction. If the 15, 2005 till May 14, 2020 with beside corporate social re- Formation of Lesser Himala- 19 community transmission, government decides to auction a total bid value of Nu 390 mil- sponsibility contribution of yan Sequence (LHS), belong restriction on business activi- the dolomite mines it would lion. JMCl was formed by Lhaki Nu 21.437M, dividend decla- to Baxa Group of rocks. De- ties will be even more strin- generate some billions in rev- Group as a public company ration of Nu 991.624M, Envi- tailed exploration of the gent,” he said. “And, this point enue. “However, the Covid-19 after winning the mining rights. ronmental Restoration Bond dolomite deposit was pre- in time, how long the Covid- is likely to delay the auction The Department of Geol- (ERB) of Nu 79.115M, direct viously carried out in 1975- 19 situation will perpetuate and the government has de- ogy and Mines (DGM) had un- employment of 211 nationals 1976 by Geological Survey cannot be foreseen.” cided to allow SMCL to operate dertaken geological reassess- (189 male and 21 female) and of India (GSI) between Pugli Given these unavoidable the mines for the time being,” ment of Chunaikhola dolomite indirect employment of 376 river and summit of the do- health and economic dynam- Lyonpo Loknath told Kuensel. deposit during the financial nationals. lomite hill covering an area ics, Lyonchhen stated that the 15 individuals and compa- year 2018-19 to map the dolo- The main market for do- of 98.84 acres on the scale likelihood of auctioning the nies, including Jigme Mining mite band in detail within pre- lomite of Chunaikhola are of 1:2000 and drilling of 21 mine as a profitable venture Corporation Limited (JMCL), sent mining area and outside Indian steel and allied sectors boreholes. Domestic revenue to fall by 14 percent

From Pg 1 However, the finance front-loaded various activi- Lyonpo Namgay Tshering minister expressed his hope ties to fast track the imple- RESOURCES said, “The payment defer- that the Druk Gyalpo Relief mentation. ment of BIT and CIT granted Kidu (DGRK), frontloading of According to the budget under the fiscal measures 12th Plan activities and gov- report, particular emphasis may have to be adjusted to the ernment spending through has been placed on revitalis- evolving situation of Covid-19 the economic contingency ing the rural economy, cre- which will further aggravate plan (ECP) would stimulate ating employment opportu- the revenue performance.” growth and enhance income nities amongst others. Over generating activities. “This and above the planned ac- In order to ensure that the revenue targets are met, will have positive impact on tivities, the government has the Mangdechhu Hydro revenue performance.” initiated the implementation Power plant shall be main- To overcome the eco- of ECP in the areas of “Tour- tained under profit transfer nomic disruptions and with a ism Resilience, Build Bhu- modality during the fiscal view to stabilise the economy tan Project, Agriculture and about Nu 4 billion over and vanced stage of finalisation, year and the commencement and stimulate growth, the Farm Road improvement”. above the regular budget of most of the activities will be of debt servicing is scheduled government has reprioritised The ECP will be imple- the agencies. “As the activi- implemented in the FY 2020- for the beginning of 2021. the 12th Plan activities and mented with a budget of ties under ECP are at an ad- 21,” the finance minister said. HOME Wednesday, June 03, 2020| KUENSEL PAGE 3 Expensive labour costs Rajesh Rai | Phuentsholing to the pandemic, labourers charged as per the MT.” With the labourers from An employee with across the border grounded Phuentsholing Electronics due to the pandemic, un- Centre said the labourers employed Bhutanese youth asked Nu 6,000 per truck- have taken up loading and load but she negotiated at unloading jobs. Nu 4,000. While Covid-19 has cre- A resident, Pema, recent- ated employment opportu- ly imported 4,000 red bricks. nities for young Bhutanese, He paid loading price of Nu employers find it expensive 1.5 per brick at the MDP. to hire them. Before, he said there was In Thimphu, Abhaya no need to take the imported Traders’ owner, Tashi Dorji, (from Jaigaon) materials to said the loading charges for the dry port. Transportation local labourers are almost from Jaigaon to the MDP is five times higher than the an additional cost now, he previous cost. added. “The Bhutanese are tak- Ugyen Dorji, who is work- ing advantage of the current ing at the MDP with 12 re- situation and charging ab- covering addicts, said the job normal rates for loading,” he was not easy. said. “And we are left with no “We are not experienced other alternatives.” people. The loads are heavy. Abhaya Traders imports Two of our boys were also construction materials. And Local labourers load the trucks injured,” he said, adding that due to the high loading the rates had also been low- charges there is huge impact ered recently. on the cost of construction (MDP) yesterday, Ugyen was once charged Nu 1,800 labour office in Phuentshol- If importers in Thimphu materials. Dorji of Druk Norzang Build- for transshipping a package ing recruited local people, are complaining about high- Prior to the border ers said that such high price of glass. mostly jobless youth and er rates, Ugyen Dorji said that closure, Indian labourers was all due to the shortage of After the gate was closed those who lost jobs for the it was because many drivers charged about Nu 360 per labourers. on March 23, there was an manual job. Under this ini- load and unload goods them- metric tonne (MT). Today, “The labourers at the port acute shortage of labourers tiative, today, there are about selves and inflate the rates unloading a red brick costs are charging high,” he said, in Phuentsholing. Due to 240 Bhutanese youth regis- with their owners. Nu 1.5. A truckload of goods adding that most of the time this, some grocery whole- tered with different employ- “And it is all due to mis- is charged anywhere between he did not get labourers to salers were also unable to ers. About 160 are engaged in communication,” he said. Nu 4,000 to Nu 7,000 and has load heavy materials. They are transport essential goods loading and unloading jobs. Importers say that the au- gone up to Nu 30,000 depend- charging between Nu 10,000 to other dzongkhags from Sonam Tshering, a driv- thorities should fix a stand- ing upon the load weight. to Nu 12,000 per truck.” Phuentsholing. er, said: “Labour cost has ard labour charge to resolve At the mini dry port Ugyen Dorji said that he Eventually, the regional become so expensive. Prior the matter.

Pad-making machines face multiple problems Chhimi Dema Secondary School were pro- said that they had to stop the make a bigger impact. pads were uncomfortable vided with the machines. production since some of the After receiving feedback during rainy days as they The well-intended pilot pro- One of the major prob- girls complained that they were from the students, some of would not stick as needed. ject to provide cheap quality lems, according to the developing rashes after using the schools improvised to The machines are oper- pads for girl students has hit schools, is the unavailabil- the pads. make user-friendly pads so ated by a group of students some serious hurdles. ity of raw materials. Kamji Although girls in Nangk- that the students don’t have and the initial agreement was Of the nine schools that CS Principal Pema Rinchen hor CS in Pemagatshel were to spend large amounts every that the schools would also received the pad-making said that the school used the facing a similar problem, the month. supply the pads to nearby machines in 2017, three have machine for the last three school distributed pads to WASH (Water, Sanita- schools. stopped producing the pads years. However, the lack of 100 girls out of a total of 260 tion and Hygiene) officer The pilot project to make for various reasons. raw materials reduced the girls in the school. Deki Tshering from School sanitary pads was initiated in The other schools are still rate of production and the A student from Trashi- Health and Nutrition Divi- 2017 by the education min- producing the pads despite frequent breakdown of the gang said that the pad made sion (SHND), Ministry of istry to enable school-going the challenges, school au- machine eventually stopped from the machine was very Education said, “It is a mat- girls to have safe and easy thorities said. production. uncomfortable compared to ter of choice. Sanitary pads access to sanitary pads. The The machine was distrib- “Some materials like the the ones they bought from available in the market were machines were donated by uted to nine schools in the plastic used in the pad are the market. Although the comfortable to use.” Empathy Foundation from country. Central schools that not found locally,” he said. pad is uncomfortable, they Another challenge that India. received the machines were During the peak of pro- sometimes use it when they hampers the production was Another initiative by edu- Kamji, Nangkor, Zhemgang, duction, the school sold 500 cannot afford to buy the ones the lack of expertise on the cation ministry is the distri- Damphu, Rangjung, Orong pads to Chukha and Pashika sold in the market. machine. The SHND received bution of free sanitary pads and Daga Central Schools central schools at a nominal School teachers said that reports from schools that the to remote schools and nun- (CS). Mongar Higher Second- price of Nu 2 a pad. if these issues were fixed then machine heated quickly. It neries in the country funded ary School and Samtse Lower Daga CS Principal Tshering the project would be able to was also reported that the by UNICEF. PERSPECTIVES PAGE 4 Wednesday, June 3, 2020 | KUENSEL The cost of MY COUNTRY, MY TOWN unregulated charges he Covid-19 pandemic has created a huge shortage of labourers. It has also created opportunities for Bhutanese, especially youth and those laid off or lost their jobs because of the pandemic. Bhutanese Thave taken up the odd manual jobs that expatriate from across the borders did until now. One such job is unloading and loading of goods that are transshipped from the border town in Phuentsholing. The border is sealed and cheap Indian workers are no more available. To ease the pressure on the economy, the govern- ment had arranged, with the help of the Indian Em- bassy in Thimphu, to allow goods including construc- tion materials. The decision has helped the thousands of constructions, government and private, in the coun- try to continue even when India, the source of goods, was in a lockdown. It was only essentials first. To ease the pressure on construction owners, the government has included hardware items in the list of essentials. However, those in the trading or construction sector are complaining of escalating cost of goods because Put out to pasture: A rice cooker in retirement turns plant pot with a lid ... to protect of the uncontrolled loading and unloading charges against the elements? Photo: Yeshi Jamtsho, Mountain Hazelnuts Bhutanese workers are charging at the transit point. They are making the most of the shortage and the absence of regulation. But this is going to have rip- Send in your pictures to: [email protected] ple effect. Those bringing in goods will pass on the escalating cost to consumers. If it is essentials, price of food will increase. If it is construction materials, house MY SAY owners would pass it on to tenants. Even the govern- ment would be coughing up more as contractors bid keeping in mind the escalating cost of goods. Charging Nu 10,000 to 12,000 to load a truck is expen- Tobacco in Bhutan sive. That is almost the cost of transporting a truckload The general consensus is that cost of tobacco products Our parliamentarians need of goods from Phuentsholing to Thimphu. Given the the tobacco ban is not only can be raised which will be to look into how countries increasing number of cases both within the country ineffective but also counter- a deterrent force in itself, as like Norway and Portugal and in neighbouring Indian states, it is not sure when productive. seen with the rising cost due are dealing with drugs. We the border would open. From reports of cases reaching For years after the ban, to the pandemic. There will should remember the great tobacco products have been inevitably be a few who will Buddhist wisdom of the nearer to our borders, the situation looks worrying. easily available in the market, avoid taxes and benefit since Middle Way and not enforce Left unregulated, the repercussions will be long most people are of the it will be difficult to make extreme bans. term. It will be the norm that will push the cost of opinion that the ban is a farce a system involving many In the dark cloud of this goods. We have experienced such trends in the past and should be lifted. parties and items watertight. terrible outbreak, there are when fuel price fluctuates. Cost of goods increases The government should The ban is counter- a few silver linings. One is productive as well since that Bhutan is being forced with increase in price, but never go down when fuel collect taxes from the shops selling tobacco in a manner human nature usually to work on our pillar of self- price drops. deemed fit. desires what is prohibited. sustainability in terms of Expatriate workers, especially the contractors Currently, the Even more so for rebellious agriculture and manpower. (thekhadars), who try to employ Bhutanese always government has to foot youth for whom tobacco use Since we already produce complain that Bhutanese look for short-term gains. the free healthcare bill for is seen as a symbol more alcohol nationally, which is They want to work for a few days and demand unrea- problems caused by the use than a product that they a major cause of social and of tobacco but only the black physically enjoy at first. health issues, maybe we sonable wages. market is profiting without As shown by the war should look into producing It is good that Bhutanese are finding some employ- needing to pay taxes. on drugs fought in the tobacco as well. ment when the coronavirus pandemic has affected If the ban is lifted and tax Americas, clamping down their livelihood, but taking advantage of the situation collection measures are made causes only the gangs and Kezang Chophel and charging unreasonable price to make the most as foolproof as possible, the the prison systems to thrive. Thimphu of a situation is not healthy. The office of consumer protection is regulating and monitoring the cost of es- Make your opinions known. Send your letters to sentials to prevent inflation. Somebody has to regulate wages or hiring charges. [email protected] Left to the situation, it is like the prime minister saying killing the milking cow for meat. Letters are edited for space and clarity

MANAGING DIRECTOR - Bachu Phub Dorji, MANAGING EDITOR - Ugyen Penjor, PRINTING GM - Karma Nima, MARKETING & SALES GM - Karma J Yangzom, KANGLUNG REGIONAL MANAGER - ADVERTISEMENT Wednesday, June 03, 2020| KUENSEL PAGE 5

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT DrUk HOlDiNg AND iNVEsTMENTs liMiTED DHI/HRA/4/2020/348 Druk Holding and Investments Ltd., invites applicatons from eligible candidates interested in taking up the following positons at DHI: sl.# Positon slot Eligibility Criteria Must have Master’s degree in related feld (MBA preferred) and Bachelor’s degree in Associate Director, 1 1 Engineering/Economics/Business Management or a related degree with a min. of 50% Projects, InnoTech Dept. aggregate. Min. of 10 years of relevant work experience (excluding the study period). Must have Bachelor’s degree in Economics/Business Management or in a related feld with Analyst, STP, a min. of 50% aggregate. Min. of 5 years of relevant work experience (excluding the study 2 1 InnoTech Dept. period). Min. of 3 years of relevant work experience (excluding the study period) if the applicant has Maters degree. Must have Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Electrical/ Electronics/Communicaton/Computer Analyst, DRIVE, science), with a min. of 50% aggregate. Min. of 5 years of relevant work experience (excluding 3 2 InnoTech Dept. the study period). Min. of 3 years of relevant work experience (excluding the study period) if the applicant has Maters degree. Must have Bachelor’s degree in Economics/Business Management or a related degree with a Associate Analyst, STP, 4 1 min. of 60% in degree if General Degree, or 55% if Honours Degree and 70% aggregate in Class InnoTech Dept. X and XII. Sr. Manager (Informaton Must have Master’s degree in related feld (MBA preferred) and Bachelor’s degree in 5 Security), NDI Project, 1 Economics/Business Management/ Engineering or a related degree with a minimum of 50% InnoTech Dept. aggregate Min. of 5 years of relevant work experience (excluding the study period). Sr. Manager (Product Must have Master’s degree in related feld and Bachelor’s degree in Economics/Business 6 Management), NDI Project, 1 Management/Engineering or a related degree with a minimum of 50% aggregate. Min. of 5 InnoTech Dept. years of relevant work experience (excluding the study period). Sr. Manager (Product Must have Master’s degree in related feld and Bachelor’s degree in Economics/Business 7 Marketng), NDI Project, 1 Management/Engineering or a related degree with a minimum of 50% aggregate. Min. of 5 InnoTech Dept. years of relevant work experience (excluding the study period). Associate Manager, Bachelor’s degree in any feld with a min. of 60% in degree if General Degree, or 55% if 8 1 NDI Project, InnoTech Dept. Honours Degree and 70% aggregate in Class X and XII. For detailed terms of reference of the positons above, please visit our website at www.dhi.bt. An applicaton pack containing the following documents must be completed and submited to the Head of HR & Admin., DHI, Thimphu on or before June 16, 2020: 1. DHI applicaton form Curriculum Vitae 2. Copy of Degree certfcates/Academic transcripts 3. Copy of Citzenship ID Card 4. Security Clearance Certfcate (approved online) 5. Medical Fitness Certfcate 6. 2 referrals/recommendaton leters from non-family related referees For further informaton, please contact Mr. Pema Kara Wangchen, Associate Manager, HR & Admin., DHI at Telephone No. 336257 (Ext. 118)/17114400, or [email protected]. Associate Director, CSD

NOTiCE iNViTiNg TENDEr Punatsangchhu-ii hydroElEctric ProJEct authority bJimthangkha : wangduE PHPA-II/SE(M)-114/ZVH/2020/246 Sealed bids are invited from Bhutanese suppliers having valid trade licence for supply of light/medium/heavy vehicle tyres as per details given below: Estmated value Date of sale of cost of bidding bid submission/ NiT No. item (nu.) bidding document document (nu.) opening PHPA-II/SE(M)/NIT- Tyres for light/medium/ 03/6/2020 to 1,000 DD in favour of 1.90 million 29/06/2020 06/2020 heavy vehicle 19/6/2020 PHPA-II Further details are cited in the bidding documents. tele: + 975-2-471744/17418628 e-mail : [email protected] Superintending Engineer (M) ADVERTISEMENT PAGE 6 Wednesday, June 03, 2020| KUENSEL

Vacancy announcement Bhutan telecom limited BTL/Mkt-01/2020/167 Bhutan Telecom Ltd., is pleased to announce the vacancy for the post of Field Assistant. Please submit your applicaton with the job applicaton form and all the required documents must reach to HR secton latest by June 15, 2020 before 1700 Hours. Positon Title Minimum Qualifcaton Remarks Slot Place of Postng Pay Scale 18,650-465-32,600 VTI/TTI Graduate (Natonal Minimum 55% in X Field Assistant 1 Mongar Corporate Allowance- 20% Certfcate) & XII PBVA-15% For details, visit www.bt.bt or call 02343434 (1113/1805).

notice inVitinG BidS inVitation for exPreSSion of intereSt Bhutan Power corPoration limited (Registered ofce, Thimphu) miniStry of economic affairS information technoloGy diViSion DePaRTMeNT of TRaDe, ThiMPhu 03/BPC/ITD/2020/09 MoEA/DoT/GEN-08/2020/5597 Informaton Technology Division (ITD), Bhutan Power Corporaton Limited (BPC), Department of Trade, Ministry of Economic Afairs Thimphu would like to invite sealed bids for Development & Delivery of Smart invites expression of interest for following consultancy Billing System; AMC of Jabkha (Django/Python/MySQL/Ubuntu) Server. services. Drawing detailed architectural masterplans and 1 Tender No. 03/BPC/ITD/2020/8 dated June 03, 2020 structural designs for the constructon of POL Depot 2 Cost of document Nu. 1,000.00 (Non-refundable) at Zimzorong under Mongar Dzongkhag. 3 Date of sale June 03, 2020 to July 02, 2020 A project that will beneft all the eastern Dzongkhags in accessing POL products especially during the Informaton Technology Division, BPC, Thimphu, 4 Place of sale disasters and other emergencies. Telephone no.: 02-326219 The cosultant should provide supervisory supports The bidding document can be purchased by any interested eligible bidder on the throughout the executon of the project untl the submission of writen applicaton together with the business license copy and tax completon. The consultants shall be selected based clearance certfcate to the above address on or before 12:30 hours on July 2nd, on the QCBS (Quality and cost-based selecton) as 2020. per the existng Procurement Rules and Regulatons. The detail invitaton and the sof copy of the bidding document is available at The EoI should be submited to the address given www.bpc.bt. below at or before 1:00 Pm on June 15, 2020. The bidders who have downloaded and printed the bid document by themselves The detailed terms of reference and other required and wish to partcipate should register with ITD, BPC on or before the closing of documents for the same shall be downloaded from the bid sale date upon the submission of writen applicaton together with a valid www.moea.gov.bt. license at the above address and make payment of Nu.200.00 (Ngultrum Two Address for response/address for Procuring Agency: hundred) non-refundable. Director General (IT Manager) Department of Trade Ministry of Economic Afairs Thimphu, Bhutan annual tender Oftg. Director General GroSS national haPPineSS commiSSion GNHC/AFD-QUO/2020-2021/1295 claSSifiedS GNH Commission Secretariat invites sealed bids from eligible suppliers for the Mechanic (4 slots) with supply of following goods/services. qualifcaton NC level II. 1. Annual catering services for the fnancial year 2020-2021 Required: Looking Contact 17717879. for duplex or 2. Annual vehicle hiring for the fnancial year 2020-2021 nu. Per unitS of foreiGn currency bangalow (furnished/ as of yesterday 3. Supply of tyre for fnancial year 2020-2021 unfurnished) in and noteS 4. Computer and peripherals for the fnancial year 2020-2021 around Thimphu. Buy Sell 5. Annual maintenance of vehicles for the fnancial year 2020-2021 Contact 17128840. US $ 74.40 76.70 6. Annual supply of statonery & equipment for fnancial year 2020-2021 POUND 92.05 94.65 EURO 82.60 84.95 For details, please visit website www.egp.gov.bt or contact Procurement Secton YEN (100) 69.05 71.00 at 02-333230 during ofce hours. Vacancy: Druk Trading HK $ 9.60 9.85 Procurement Ofcer Equipment invites AUS $ 50.00 51.40 applicatons for SING $ 52.70 54.25 To advertse Call 326191 or fax 322975 Welder (4 slots) and Courtesy BNB HOME Wednesday, June 03, 2020| KUENSEL PAGE 7 Re-employed guides Towards greener sporting avenues mark Social forestry day planting trees

Choki Wangmo through May, it is an impor- tant season for bird watching. Coinciding with the Social It is also the breeding season,” Forestry Day, 45 laid-off tour he said. guides planted 50 willow tree While clearing the bushes, saplings and collected six his love for birds and experi- tonnes of waste along Samten- ence in handling helped the ling stream yesterday. team save 70 percent of the The guides were engaged nestlings. for the past one month in In the future, the thromde beautification works along will create an information the stream which is about two board where the list of species kilometres. The works include would be made available to the BES officials plant fruit trees at the skate park in Bebena, Thimphu bush clearing, creating rock public. gardens, reforestation, plant- The project also entails ing grasses on gentle slopes planting flowering plants and Thinley Namgay yesterday. mense benefits for bird and in- and cleaning the area. trees, therefore, creating mini- The saplings were bought sect diversity in urban areas.” The group is divided into habitats for birds. To beautify the sporting are- from Bhutan Alpine Seeds in BES targets to plant five smaller groups and de- However, the work is not nas under the Bhutan Olym- Paro. fruit trees in all dzongkhags ployed at different locations. without hurdles. Jinpa Phunt- pic Committee, the Bhutan Plantation at football fields through this initiative mainly The two-month project is sho said that waste was a Ecological Society (BES) will and other open spaces man- to shift mindsets and re-im- in collaboration with the Tour- problem in the area. “Daily, hereon plant fruit trees. aged by the BOC will take agine human attitude towards ism Council of Bhutan, Thim- we clean the area and the next Director of BES, Dr place in later this year. the ecosystem. The upcoming phu Thromde and facilitated day, the place is littered.” Nawang Norbu (PhD), and BES official Pem Lama said plantation will take place in by the Guides Association of The guides said that the Bhutan Olympic Commit- that BOC was already trying to Paro on June 5. Bhutan (GAB). They are paid Covid-19 heat on tourism tee’s (BOC) secretary-general develop an active lifestyle for Collaborating with local a minimum monthly salary of would take time to cool off for Sonam Karma Tshering signed the children through sports. governments and schools, BES Nu 15,000. another year. They are willing a Memorandum of Under- “BES feels that another impor- has planted 1,000 saplings in A coordinator of the pro- to work in other similar pro- standing (MoU) coinciding tant thing for the children is to Thimphu, Wangduephodrang ject, Jinpa Phuntsho said, that jects even. with the Social Forestry Day be closer to nature.” and Tsirang by procuring sap- in the beginning, the guides They also said that the yesterday in Thimphu. Pem Lama also said that lings from National Seed Cen- found the work difficult as pandemic has taught them The MoU was in line with numerous constructions were tre and the private individuals most of them were first-timers the value of savings and the ‘fruits for all’ initiative by taking place in the country, since 2018. but were learning with time. being prepared for uncertain the BES to help nurture green but with negligible efforts to In Thimphu, saplings were “It is an opportunity for us times. public spaces in urban areas beautify the environment. “It planted in partnership with to interact and learn because “If everything goes well, to bring functional and eco- is also essential to incorporate the Thimphu Thromde at there is a good mix of people.” we want to take ownership of logical value in addition to its lots of green element.” Sangaygang, ecological park, Yeshi Wangdi is helping his this project,” Jinpa Phuntsho aesthetics. A press release from the areas above Changangkha friends learn flora and fauna said, adding that as of now, the In a simple ceremony to BES stated that the fruits borne Lhakhang, and the centenary in the area. He is specialised workers require safety gears mark the beginning of the by these trees would be free park in Changlimithang. in avifauna and has recorded while working with the thorny partnership, BES planted for everyone to enjoy, and this BES is a non-profit organi- about 28 bird species. He is bushes. 50 saplings of apple, pear, would help bring urban dwell- sation that connects science, surveying the area and in the About more than 1,000 chestnut, persimmon, wal- ers to feel more connected to business, and policy with the future, hopes to use his experi- tour guides are expected to be nut, and plum, among others nature and the environment. goal of building sustainable ence when tourism resumes in employed in different sectors at the skate park in Bebena “The fruit trees also have im- and resilient communities. the country. and agencies in the coming “Beginning April and months. Villagers worry as tigers come closer Nim Dorji | Trongsa Ugyen Thinley is worried. the forest. “Had I been less It could be one of his cows careless I would have been TOMORROW It is 6.30am, May 29: Dorji next. Cattle herding has be- attacked.” Khandu gets a call from his come a dangerous affair in the Ugyenmo, a villager, said Good Day neighbour. In Sembji, a tiger village. tiger paw prints were becom- has killed a heifer. With his Dorji Khandu said that ing more common in the vil- Bad Day son Ugyen Thinley, Dorji tigers were increasingly at - lage. “Just a day before the Khandu rushes to the scene. tacking cattle in Nubi Gewog. incident, I saw two different Whatever needs to be “People do not report the paw prints near the electric done to help their neighbour cases because they did not fence.” A good day for rituals (laza): those born in the sheep, snake, monkey they must do it quickly and get the compensation of the If people have to go to and rooster years. return home for farm work. loss,” he said. Villagers say town, they go in groups. Dorji Khandu has so far tigers have become more vis- “We go early and come Generally a good day (sogza): those born in the snake and horse years. lost close to a dozen cattle ible today. home early,” Ugyenmo said. to tiger. Without power tiller, Sonam Choden, Dorji Tiger conservation centre A bad day (shedza): Dorji Khandu and Ugyen Khandu’s neighbour whose is planning to clear the nearby those born in the tiger and rabbit years. Thinley begin digging the heifer was attacked by a tiger, forest, develop the pasture terraces for paddy cultivation. said she saw the tiger leap into and provide electric fencing. DIVER SION PAGE 8 Wednesday, June 3, 2020 | KUENSEL

Health Capsule

Sudoku

How to play Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3 X 3 box contains the

numbers 1 through 9. Answer Answer

SCRABBLE

Direction K O A E S F R Triple word Rack 1 5 1 1 1 1 4 1 score Make a 2 to 7 letters word from the letters in each row. To total points of your words, use scoring directions to right of each row. 7-letter words get Y O D W I O Rack 2 50-point bonus. “Blanks” used as any 4 1 2 M3 4 1 1 letter have no point value.

Rack 3 G R E R N H Solution 2 1 I1 1 1 1 4 F O R S A K E 92 Idioms 4 1 1 1 1 5 1 W4 O1 O1 D2 Y4 12 4th letter V V L E A A E Rack 4 H E R R I N G 61 Out of the frying pan 4 4 1 1 1 1 1 double 4 1 I 1 1 1 2 V A L V E and into the fire 4 1 1 4 1 15 R T1 U1 1 N1 I1 P3 16 An expression meaning going from U R I P N T T Double Rack 5 1 1 1 3 1 1 1 word score bad to worse Four rack total 196 Par score 125-135 Four rack total Over someone's head An expression meaning beyond someone's ability to understand BC REGION Wednesday, June 03, 2020| KUENSEL PAGE 9 Airlines must allot seats, try to keep middle space vacant The Directorate General of Civil Aviation after SC’s ‘common sense’ rap

The Directorate General lowed to rush to the entry/exit of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on gates. The DGCA has directed Monday directed airlines to the airlines to ensure orderly allot seats so that middle seats entry and exit of passengers. are kept vacant to the extent Flights have been asked to possible. set the air-conditioning system In a notification, the avia- in such a way that the air gets tion regulator said that airlines replaced at the shortest possi- should allot seats in a manner ble intervals. that the middle seat is kept va- The flights have to be regu- cant if passenger load and seat larly sanitised, but when there capacity permits. is no passenger on board. However, if passenger load Airlines have been directed does not permit this kind of an to carry out health check-up of arrangement, then the middle all crew regularly and all flying seat passenger has to be pro- as well as cabin crew will have vided with protective equip- to be in full protective suits. ment like a wrap around gown The directions come nearly in addition to the three-layer a week after the Supreme Court mask and face shield. pulled up Directorate General The DGCA directions will of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and come into effect from June 3. Air India while hearing urgent As per the order, all pas- petition filed by Centre and necessary in flights? Why cen- will hear the matter tomorrow. He further told the court sengers are to be provided the national carrier against the tre seats should be booked for The court, in its hearing on that the decision not to have with safety kits, which include Bombay High Court order to air travels?” the matter, commented that it vacant middle seats was taken three-layered surgical mask, keep middle seats vacant in Meanwhile, the top court was “common sense” that social following a meeting held with face shield and sanitiser. international flights carrying has allowed Air India to operate distancing is important. experts. No meal or drinking water back stranded Indians. non-scheduled foreign flights “It is common sense that CJI SA Bobde, however, will be served on board except “You should be worried with middle seats booking till maintaining social distancing quipped: “How can you say it for health-related reasons. about health of citizens more June 6 after which those seats is important. Outside, there will not affect passengers? Will The embarkation and dis- than health of airlines,” the can’t be sold. should be a social distancing of the virus know it’s in the aircraft embarkation will be sequential court said and asked “Why so- The Bombay High Court, at least six feet, what about in- and it’s not supposed to infect?” and no passenger will be al- cial distancing norms wasn’t as directed by the apex court, side aircraft,” the CJI rapped Air “The transmission will be India, which has been operating there if you are sitting next to special flights under the Vande each other,” he added. Bharat Mission to bring back Civil Aviation Minister Har- ABRIDGED AUDITED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS Indians stranded abroad due deep Singh Puri had in May, to the Coronavirus lockdown. while announcing the recom- DRUK WANG ALLOYS LIMITED Solicitor General Tushar mencement of domestic flights, AN ISO-9001:2015; 14001:2015; OHSAS 18001:2007 CERTIFIED COMPANY Mehta, appearing for the na- made it clear that it would not tional carrier and the Centre, be possible to keep the middle DWAL/ADMN/QF/08/2020/406 said that the “best practice is seat vacant. testing and quarantine and not The Statesman (India) As at December 31, 2019 As at December 31, 2018 Partculars seat difference”. ANN Amount (Nu.) Amount (Nu.) Revenue 1,097,502,175.76 1,725,031,757.28 Expenditures 1,014,272,030.83 1,406,126,391.75 PUBLIC NOTIFICATION Proft before Tax 83,230,144.92 318,905,365.54 MINISTRY OF WORKS AND HUMAN Provision for CIT 14,825,589.49 96,343,101.22 SETTLEMENT Proft afer CIT 68,404,555.44 222,562,264.32 DEPARTMENT OF ROADS Other Comprehensive (2,227,525.30) (229,033.70) REGIONAL OFFICE, SARPANG Income DoR/RoS/2019-2020/Const-7/1449 Total Comprehensive 66,177,030.14 222,333,230.62 Income The strengthening of Thewar Bridge on Sershong Gewog Centre Road will start w.e.f June 3, 2020. The Paidup Equity Capital 173,143,530.00 173,143,530.00 movement of trafc will be partally closed during EPS 3.82 11.56 strengthening of the bridge. Dividend for the Year 30% 20% Therefore public is requested to take not of this The Audited Financial Statements for the Year 2019 has been adopted during the and use bypass route tll completon of the bridge 15th AGM held on 25th April, 2020. strengthening work. On behalf of the Chairperson and the Board of Directors InconvenIence causeD Is hIghly regretteD. Managing Director chief engineer DZONGKHAG PAGE 10 Wednesday, June 03, 2020| KUENSEL Truckers on Indian roads at risk of Covid-19 Three truckers surrendered for violation of safety protocols Nima | Gelephu RSTA officials have so far surrendered to Gelephu Ensuring that Bhutanese driv- police three truckers trans- ers on the Indian highways porting essential items using are following safety protocols roads from the Indian States to avoid risk of Covid-19 has of Assam and West Bengal to become challenging with only Nganglam. two escort officials travelling They had violated safety with a group of truckers. protocols while travel- At least 20 truckers travel ling through the Indian everyday from Gelephu to States. They will not be al- Phuentsholing, Samdrupjong- lowed to use the route until khar, Nganglam, and Samtse the situation improves, ac- using the roads in the Indian cording to officials from RSTA. states of Assam and West Ben- The drivers are informed gal. about regulation and protocols While following the re- to follow one day ahead of the quired preventive measures departure to avoid the risk of and prescribed regulations, getting exposed to Covid-19. the truckers have to exchange Truckers attend a briefing before plying on the Indian highways Senior motor vehicle in- notes at the toll stations and spector, , said have to come out at the weigh- confirmed Covid-19 cases and practice the regulations strictly.” receipts and balance amounts that the trucks were not al- ing gates for over three times West Bengal has marked over Only two tracks, one in the at the gate fearing the risk of lowed to carry extra baggage a day. 5,100 cases to date. front and other at the end, out Covid-19. “But there are drivers without prior permission from This makes truckers vulner- One of the escort officials, of 20 truckers would be ac- who will have to collect receipts the officials. “They are advised able to Covid-19, according to Vikas Sharma, said drivers were companied by the escort offi- and change. The fees are differ- to travel directly without stop- the escort officials. The route asked to use sanitizer after col- cials. Others in the group are ent for different trucks.” ping for lunch along the way.” passes through the places like lecting notes from gates. “How- expected to keep an eye on their Officials said if the truck To strengthen the moni- Bongaigaon, which is declared ever, we are not sure about the friends and ensure safety meas- breaks down in the red zone toring along the road, over red zone for Covid-19. drivers who travel without an ures are followed. areas they are not allowed to 16 Desuup volunteers have Assam recorded over 1,300 escort. They are informed to He added that some left the repair at the spot. joined as the escort officials.

Rush to complete Denchi dzong Kelzang Wangchuk | Pemagatshel and laying of marble slabs and wall tiles works because The construction of Denchi they could not import the Dzong in Pemagatshel is materials like roofing sheets expected to complete at the because of the Covid-19 pan- end of this month, according demic. to the project manager. The project manager said The construction site is a they would carry out the re- hive of activity with the dead- maining work as the materi- line approaching. als will be imported soon. When complete, the dzong will have the tallest Utse (tower) in the country Except for the Utse (cen- “The dzong would be tral tower) and toilets, the soon handed over to the painting works on the com- dzongkhag after complet- to the problem in the draw- pleted structures, and parti- ing the auditing and other Time of issue: 04:00 PM, ing, they could not start the SUNRISE : 5:06 am |SUNSET : 6:52 pm 2 June 2020 tions for the offices among works,” Lhaten Dorji said. work on the five-storied tower others are all done. The project could not in December 2015. The main Project manager Lhaten start work on block A and works began the following Dorji said except Utse, lay- B until they got the drawing 2016. The dzong boasts the Gasa Trongsa Bumthang Sarpang Phuentsholing ing marble floor slabs and of the central tower as they tallest tower in the country. wall tiles among others, the share the foundation. The The initial estimated construction works are com- steering committee then de- budget for the project was Nu 18 20 22 29 29 pleted. cided to revise the deadline 530 million (M), but it has now 8 12 11 22 20 He said the roofing struc- during its meeting held in increased to Nu 610M. The tures are ready, but they 2017. government of India is fund- Source: National Center for Hydrology and Meteorology. could not carry out roofing Officials said that owing ing the project. For any weather information: Call hotline 335578

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