KUENSELTHAT THE PEOPLE SHALL BE INFORMED TUESDAY, A PRIL 7, 2020 Travel COVID -19 companies PHYSICAL distancing measures can slow paying down the virus, so that the healthcare system can cope; but they will employees not stop this pandemic purely in their own despite loss right. To suppress and control the virus, we must isolate, test, treat But little or no op- and trace the cases. tions for small and new entrants
MB Subba COUNSELING intervention for those Amid the indefinite Covid- under quarantine and 19-induced tourist ban in the those who may have country, many tour operators mental distress due to have kept their employees on the current COVID-19 pandemic has been the regular pay roll in a show For the children: established. of solidarity. Pg 3 Incomes from tourism The following numbers have been negative for a are available for month now. But tour compa- counselling support: nies are using either cash in hand or incomes from other 17123237 sources to pay their staff. 17123238 One of the biggest tour Community takes 17123239 companies in the country, Yangphel Adventure Travel, 17123240 has been using cash in hand 17123241 to pay the employees, ac- over Covid-19 cording to its chief executive - MoH officer (CEO), Karma Lotey. He said that the compa- responsibility ny’s 270 employees, includ- Weather ing that of its hotels, Zhiwal- Big businesses take the lead ing, are on paid leave. But he added that it would not be Yangchen C Rinzin ing, Penden Cement, Bhutan they need us and we should be sustainable to keep them on Polymer, and small business there for them,” Sonam Tobgay the regular payroll beyond f small is beautiful, the entities are the members of Dorji said. “The government six months. Gomtu community is the task force. Included in the has to look after entire country Karma Lotey said that living up to the phrase. team are also the Royal Bhutan so, we can atleast take care of 20 5 MAX MIN company was working out a Gomtu is a small Police and local government our own employee.” win-win arrangement with town that has remained officials. Jigme mining’s joint man- banks. The company has Ialmost isolated after Bhutan’s Vice chairman of Lhaki aging director, Ugyen Kezang, proposed to banks for re- border was sealed on March Cement, Sonam Tobgay Dorji, said that this initiative was structuring of loans, enhanc- 23. Located almost 60km from said that task force was formed to sustain and survive in the ing working capital and de- Phuentsholing and Samtse, to assist the government pre- worst-case scenario. “We’re ferment of interest payments there is no internal route to pare for the case scenario. mainly looking to ensure that to retain employees. travel from Gomtu to Samtse. food supply continues. Logis- 24 9 “Of course, if there is In the face of such a situ- What’s being done? tics will be arranged, roads MAX MIN some fiscal incentives, there ation, the people decided to First of all, the companies have maintained, and the quaran- is nothing like it. But we don’t do something together. They decided not to layoff their em- tine centres taken care of. In- want to burden the govern- got together to come up with ployees. Instead, some of the dividuals and companies have ment at this difficult time,” he immediate and future plans. employees are deployed with begun donating to the fund.” added. There is a Gomtu Covid-19 police and DeSuups to guard Employees too have volun- Most other tour operators Task Force. the porous border. teered to donate a day’s salary. www.kuenselonline.com are doing the same. Pg 2 Lhaki Cement, Jigme Min- “This is the time when Pg 2 HOME PAGE 2 Tuesday, April 07, 2020| KUENSEL Special flights for Bhutanese from Delhi on April 9 Tshering Palden India is arranging the flights, a travel advisory to the Bhuta- Lumpur to Paro,” an updated tory quarantine upon arrival the embassy wrote on its Fa- nese Associations in Australia travel advisory from the em- in Paro, the embassy isThere- Two special flights for Paro- cebook page. earlier this month, ‘a sizable bassy stated. It stated that fore, the Embassy will also Delhi-Paro sector on April The embassy is asking number of Bhutanese’ in- the embassy is in touch with need to coordinate their travel 9, to bring home Bhutanese Bhutanese nationals who are formed the embassy that they both the Malaysian Airlines home with the health and for- residing in India. in Delhi to register with the wish to return home as early and Druk Air. eign affairs ministries. Foreign Minister Dr Tandi embassy to book a seat on the as possible. The embassy has also Bhutanese are asked to Dorji yesterday said that it flight. The embassy stated that it asked the Bhutanese Associa- follow up with their respec- has been confirmed. “The “We can still accommo- has found out that Malaysian tions in Australia to compile tive Bhutanese Associations. government at the moment date around 21 individuals on Airlines is operating a few the list of Bhutanese wanting The Bhutanese Associa- is exploring other possibilities the Paro-Delhi-Paro sector,” flights to Kuala Lumpur from to avail this option. tion in Perth have sent out a for other Bhutanese wishing the embassy’s message on its Perth, Sydney and Melbourne “All Bhutanese in Austral- form for the residents to regis- to return home,” he said. Facebook page stated. in April and up to mid May ia who wish to return home ter and asked them to confirm The Royal Bhutanese Em- Meanwhile, the embassy 2020. are requested to get in touch by yesterday evening if they bassy in Delhi in coordination in Bangkok, Thailand is ex- “This could be a viable with Bhutanese Associations wished to return home on with the Ministry of Foreign ploring possibilities to bring option as transit is possible in your respective states/area the flight that the government Affairs, Drukair Royal Bhu- back Bhutanese residing in at Kuala Lumpur as of now, as soon as possible.” would be arranging. tan Airlines and relevant au- Australia and Malaysia. and Drukair may also be able As the returnees have to thorities in the Government of After the embassy issued to put in flights from Kuala undergo 21 days of manda- Travel companies paying employees despite loss From Pg 1 Little or no options for 50,000 and that all of them Prime Minister Dr Lotay the government plans to inject Owner of Bhutan Birding small and new entrants came from tourism. “I’m to- Tshering at the recent meet the liquidity into financial institu- and Heritage Travels, Hishey While the older players are tally bankrupt and am going press asked affected businesses tions. Tshering, said that he had com- making adjustments, small through a critical situation,” he not to send their employers Financial institutions mitted to his staff members that tour operators and new en- said. on unpaid leave. He said that expressed their willingness he would continue to pay them trants’ anxious wait for relief Executive director of Asso- the government had already to help clients by deferring despite the loss of income from programmes continues. ciation of Bhutanese Tour Op- started bearing some portion equated monthly installments tourism. He has about 12 full- The delay in relief pro- erators (ABTO), Sonam Dorji, of affected employees’ salaries. (EMIs), providing moratorium time people, including some grammes has forced some of said that despite the total loss But Kuensel found that and increasing grace period on from his hotel, on the regular the tour operators to send their of income, most tour operators many affected employees loans for eligible individuals payroll. employees on unpaid leave had expressed commitments to were either engaged in tempo- and businesses. “If I reach a situation where although the government has continue paying their employ- rary jobs or have returned to However, whether or not I can’t pay anymore, then I will requested them not to do so. ees for some months. their villages as the employers banks will give soft loans, tour have to see which of the staff But the tour operators say that Some employers, he said, stopped paying them. operators will have to wait for members are in more dire the government has been ago- were paying 50 percent of the To enable businesses to the government’s economic need,” he said. nizingly late. salary. The ABTO, he said, had avail loans and maintain con- stimulus plan. If the situation prolongs Economic relief pro- come up with strategy to en- tinuity of economic activities, but things return to normalcy grammes should have come gage the employees in alterna- after a year, Hishey Tshering more than a week ago, if the tive economic activities and in said that he would pay the em- government’s earlier state- skills development trainings. Community takes over ployees in arrears. He was in ments were anything to go by. One of the alternatives favour of submitting a letter of The government later said that considered is to engage peo- Covid-19 responsibility commitment saying that tour it needed to incorporate some ple in development of tourism operators would pay their em- amendments into the relief infrastructure. He said he was From Pg 1 “The protocol today is that ployees as a part of support to programmes. hopeful that deferment of loan The fund has hit Nu 0.9M supplies are first sent to Samtse the government. Small and new tour opera- installments would come in the today. and then we have to get them “The biggest help the gov- tors say they need help such as government’s economic stimu- The task force has also pre- from there,” Ugyen Kezang said. ernment can give can be freez- soft loans for payment of office lus plan. pared the contingency plan. “We want to ensure enough ing of monthly loan install- and house rents and to cope The government has said Machines have been deployed supplies stocks in case of a ments or even the interest part with loss of livelihoods imme- that the economic relief pro- at two internal roads to see the lockdown.” until the situation improves,” diately. For small and new op- grammes would be rolled out possibility of using during case Shopkeepers are also en- he said on what kind support erators, tourism had been the in phases, the first of which will scenario. couraged to stock the supplies. would be useful. sole means of living. be targeted at the most affected Ugyen Kezang said that The members of the task Another tour operator, A tour operator said, “Gen- sector. task force would look after the force have supplied hand- Sonam Jamtsho, said that he erally, all small travel operators Among other recom- quarantine centres at Penden washing facilities and sanitisers. was using savings and incomes like me depend on regional mendations, ABTO recently Cement and a Gomtu school. Meanwhile, Jigme Mining from his construction company tourists. He said that it was the requested the government Internet services and meals at donated Nu 5M to the Covid- to pay his employees. small operators that needed a to provide capital loans to be the centre are provided from 19 Relief Fund and four oxygen But the owner of A Bucket relief immediately. made available at a zero or the fund. concentrators to Samtse hospi- List Adventure added that even He said banks should give very minimal interest rate and There is also a separate tal. Three ventilators the com- construction companies have soft loans for sustenance of live- repayment to be done over a kitchen that caters for quaran- pany purchased to be donated been affected due to the Covid- lihood until business returns to period of four years. tine centre. is stuck at Jaigaon, India after 19 pandemic. “Even if we get normalcy. The ABTO solicits soft loans The task force has requested the lockdown. work, workers are not avail- He said his monthly ex- for marketing, product devel- Food Corporation of Bhutan to Jigme Mining and Lhaki Ce- able,” he said. penses including office and opment and staff retention after supply of essential items di- ment also donated Nu 7.5M to house rents were about Nu lifting of travel restriction. rectly to Gomtu. His Majesty’s Kidu Fund. HOME Tuesday, April 07, 2020| KUENSEL PAGE 3 Save the Children supports education ministry with materials worth Nu 1.4M Yangchen C Rinzin is provided in these schools producing 500 episodes by emergency WASH material and Save the Children came April 10 for tele-education support, Save the Children To ensure children have ac- It was found that forward to support.” currently aired on BBS every will also support the educa- cess to water, sanitation and Education officials say 33 day. tion ministry to carry out hygiene (WASH) when they 20 schools did not vulnerable schools were also “We’re also looking into children’s remote or home- return to school, Save the have basic hand identified, especially those the possibility of reaching out based learning. Children Bhutan Office pro- washing facilities located in the southern foot- students in rural areas who “This is a part of continu- vided materials worth Nu 1.4 hills to supply wash stations. have limited access to online ing education in emergency million (M) to the education and they wanted With this, wash station education,” Karma Tshering plan in response to the cur- ministry yesterday. to do something will benefit 24,906 students said. “We’re planning to pub- rent Covid-19 pandemic,” he The materials include to ensure such where 115 wash station, lish what we covered until said. “We will be providing hand sanitisers, soaps, and critical facility 7,850 soaps, and 455 sanitis- now through print media.” financial support worth Nu wash stations designed by ers would be provided in the He said they are currently 4.2M.” Bhutan Toilet Organisation is provided in schools. developing self-instruction The financial support with water tank and tap. these schools and Meanwhile, report- materials. “The ministry is will be used in the develop- It would be delivered to Save the Children ing and user guidelines for also working to provide dif- ment of content for teaching- 40 schools, four youth cen- came forward to emergency WASH materials ferent programme or engage learning sessions in all the tres, five early childhood care for Covid-19 preparedness children with disabilities in- five key stages of learning. It and development (ECCD) support.” were also provided with the cluding non-formal educa- will be also used to procure centres, two extended class- materials. tion.” stationery and other required rooms, and two community The officiating secretary Save the Children’s na- teaching and learning mate- centres in 14 dzongkhags and also said that the ministry is tional director, MB Ghaley, rials to support development three thromdes. looking forward to complete said that in addition to the of learning content. The officiating education part of preventive measures, secretary, Karma Tshering, collected data from schools said that although schools immediately after Covid- are closed right now, it is 19 was first detected in the the right time to install and country. “It was found that keep everything ready since People affected by Covid-19 join 20 schools did not have basic the focus is on the preventive hand washing facilities and measures. they wanted to do something FMCL as daily wage earners He said the ministry, as a to ensure such critical facility
Three-week accelerated DeSuung training programme begins Staff Reporter with the same dedication and loyalty to the Tsawa-Sum. His Royal Highness Gyaltshab His Royal Highness is His FMCL in Paro Jigme Dorji Wangchuck Majesty’s representative in graced the opening of the ac- the east. Phub Dem | Paro this we could replace con- mercial and contract farms celerated DeSuung training Meanwhile, on the Com- struction workers and reduce established across the country. programme in Dewathang mand of His Majesty The Eleven employees from sec- cash outflow.” The company aims to up- yesterday. King, Health Minister Dechen tors affected by the Covid-19 Karma Thinley said FMCL scale agriculture production The three-week pro- Wangmo attended the open- pandemic joined the Farm Ma- was also planning to take up by recultivating fallow lands gramme has taken in 2,500 ing ceremony of the 38th chinery Corporation Limited joint ventures with those from and initiating land terracing to volunteers in seven different batch of DeSuung integrated (FMCL) in Paro as of April 3. affected sectors. “The corpora- cultivate in government reserve locations across the country. training programme in Wang- The 11 individuals work as tion will provide land and in- forest (GRF). The training focuses on due yesterday. daily wage earner. vestment and they would take FMCL also engages youths health and security to enable Lyonpo shared the criti- FMCL’s chief executive of- up manual work,” he said. “The in sequential training on vari- volunteers to support health cal role DeSuups could play in ficer, Karma Thinley, said the profit will be equally divided.” ous crops through modern workers in the wake of Covid- the wake of Covid-19. Accord- corporation planned to employ He said they are discussing farming technologies and en- 19 pandemic. ing to the health ministry, in a more people affected by the with Tourism Council of Bhu- hances farm mechanization According to a press re- worst-case scenario, DeSuups global pandemic. tan, Druk Waste Management through hiring services. lease, all volunteers and train- would have to share responsi- He said youths would get and some farmers. There are eight contract ers were tested for Covid-19 bilities and activities with the hands-on-training in agricul- However, an official said and commercial farms around before commencing the train- health workers. tural works, mushroom cultiva- they were skeptical if the indi- the country. ing to prevent the possibility Following the event, Ly- tion and other activities. viduals would take up manual Karma Thinley said the of community transmission. onpo visited the isolation He also said they would work. regional farming teams were During the opening, His wards at Wangdue and Pu- engage some of those individ- Meanwhile, FMCL is carry- already gearing for mass pro- Royal Highness said that nakha hospitals. Officials in uals in contract farming and ing out commercial and con- duction. “FMCL also deliver DeSuups rendered great as- the districts were advised to other activities like roof paint- tract farming to achieve food vegetables to schools and hos- sistance during times of need emphasise more on districts’ ing, fencing and constructing self-sufficiency through mass pitals where there are no farm- and must continue to serve plans for worst-case scenario. irrigation canals. “By doing cultivation of crops in com- ers’ group and cooperatives.” PERSPECTIVES PAGE 4 Tuesday, April 07, 2020 | KUENSEL
We must get a better MY COUNTRY, MY TOWN grip on new challenges he dengue season has arrived. In the southern belt and some eastern parts of the country, the weather’s warmed up. It is becoming hotter by the day. Suspect dengue cases have already started emerg- Ting from hospitals in Nganglam and Panbang. Given the right conditions this vector-borne disease has the potential to spread very quickly. Last year, 5,400 people tested dengue positive and the disease claimed six lives. Phuentsholing, which saw the first and the highest dengue cases in the country last year, is already on its toes. Others must follow suit. Vector control and source reductions are being carried out. Between March 18 and 24, Vector-borne Disease Control Programme team Sights of the times: has inspected 5,766 containers (1,538 wet and 700 A new awareness has dry), 116 buildings, and 302 units and premises in grown of the good old Phuentsholing. habit of keeping one’s The team has spotted at least 15 potential sites where the vectors can proliferate. The surveillance report has hands clean Photo: Sonam recommended thromde and drungkhag offices to im- Dorji, MoFA,Thimphu pose strict cleanliness and hygiene rules. In such cases, regular inspection should be instituted and penalties Send in your pictures to: [email protected] imposed on those who do not comply with the rules. These are good measures because prevention is al- ways better than cure. This is more relevant today when we are already faced with the dangers of Covid-19. Both MY SAY the diseases can spread like wildfire and consequence can be fatal. Advocacy and awareness programmes are good but Lucky to be a Bhutanese often they do not work in our society. If stricter and harsher measures are required, authorities must not I am Kinley from Trongsa. I study with appropriate space to study updated with news (Kuensel). at Kathmandu University in and relax. We say our prayers and go to bed hesitate to shell out their worse. Nepal. With the ongoing Covid- This is my 15th day in at around 11pm. That’s how we Covid-19 is still a major threat and could remain so 19 case the curriculum of this quarantine and I just feel like spend our weekdays. However for sometime. We have only a limited number of health spring semester in my school days are passing so fast. Even during weekends, we enjoy our professionals. Having to deal with two dangerous and changed to online classes. before the quarantine was days watching movies, singing fast-spreading diseases at the same time can put a seri- Although extended to three weeks, me and dancing. My friend likes ous strain on our resources. That means our chances to there were very few Covid- and my friend hoped for the dancing and I like singing. bungle increases. 19 cases reported in quarantine period to be extended We are grateful for the Phuentsholing Thrompon put it bluntly: “We are Nepal when I was there, because both of us thought it facilities we have in the all already tackling Covid-19 and a dengue outbreak at I thought Bhutan would would be safer for everyone and quarantine. The meals are always this time can cripple us.” But that is indeed the very risk be safer for me than anywhere also we were actually enjoying good. For each meal served we facing the country today. else. So I decided to come our time together, it was like a remind ourselves of the kindness back home. More over my little retreat. of our King and the government Violation of regulations is already a big problem as mother called me every day On Tuesday March 31, we and thank them through our we fight Covid-19. People continue to ignore govern- expressing her concern and were happy that the quarantine prayers. We feel very lucky to be ment notifications that restrict international border worries about the deadly case. I was extended by one more week. a Bhutanese citizen under the crossing. In an incident that is worrying and is of seri- landed at Paro airport on March We wake up at 7am as usual, leadership of a Dharma King. ous concern to the nation, a 31-year-old man recently 22 with five other friends. As I and my friend do 30mins of Back in Nepal we have made off from a quarantine centre in Samtse. He is still soon as we arrived at the airport yoga then we do our morning friends who also want to go back at large. we were brought to the prayers. By 8am breakfast to their country but are worried At a time when we have no option but to main- quarantine centre at Kuenphen will be kept at our door. Our about the quarantine facility tain social distancing and hygiene at all costs, such Rabten Resort in Thimphu. We online class starts at 9:15 am and the cost. When we talk to irresponsibility on the part of the public should not go were aware that we would have and it goes until 12:45pm, by them about the situation in our unpunished because what they are doing is nothing to be in quarantine so it wasn’t then it will be time for lunch. country, they said we are really a surprise for us when we were Again In the afternoon our class lucky to be born in Bhutan and less than treasonous. told that we couldn’t go out from starts at 3pm until 5:45pm. Our said they wished to be a Simply put, we cannot face two wars at the same our assigned area until the college conducts online classes Bhutanese. time. The renegades must be brought before the law. quarantine period was over. in Microsoft team app which is We are grateful to His We were told that two convenient. Holiness the Je Khenpo and persons should share a Dinner is served at monks of the Zhung Dratshang room. Luckily my close around quarter past six. We for praying for the peace and to FOR FEEDBACK friend and me got to are also served with snacks the owner and helpers of our Call 324684 or email share a room. We were and tea in the evening. After quarantine centre. glad that the quarantine- dinner we watch TV, write Thank you so much Bhutan. [email protected] included facilities like, free Wi-Fi, homework and sometimes read free meals, and luxurious rooms news online. We are also kept Kinley Dema
MANAGING DIRECTOR - Bachu Phub Dorji, MANAGING EDITOR - Ugyen Penjor, PRINTING GM - Karma Nima, MARKETING & SALES GM - Karma J Yangzom, KANGLUNG REGIONAL MANAGER - Ugyen Wangdi ADVERTISEMENT Tuesday, April 07, 2020| KUENSEL PAGE 5
notiCE inviting tEndEr announCEmEnt (Re-tendeR) BHutan agro industriEs limitEd, tHimpHu royal audit autHority BAI/Pro/Tender/01/2020/443 RAA(ADM-26)2019-2020/762 Bhutan Agro Industries Limited, Thimphu would like to notfy that the tender The Royal Audit Authority is pleased to invite bids submission and opening date for supply of the machinery (pasteurizer/ Can through www.egp.gov.bt from the eligible Natonal reforming unit/ Jar filling) has been extended from 7th April, 2020 tll 15th bidders for the constructon of Ofce of Assistant may, 2020 due to unavoidable circumstances. Auditor General, Bumthang. The last date of For any further queries, contact Dy. Manager (Admin & HR) at 02-351078/ submission of bids fall on april 20, 2020 at 9:30 am. 77311544. Tender ID is 4505 with Reference RAA/2020/4505. Management For more informaton and details please visit www. bhutanaudit.gov.bt Deputy Auditor General ExprEssion of intErEst Directorate Services national EnvironmEnt Commission sECrEtariat The Natonal Environment Commission Secretariat invites interested consultant(s) to submit Expression of Interest (EoI) for the consultancy services for the Project “study on minimum Environmental flow for Hydropower projects in Bhutan - phase ii”. The detailed Request for Expression of Interest is available at www.nec.gov.bt. Please contact Ms. Jigchen L. Norbu at [email protected] for any enquiries. The last date for submission of the EoI is april 20, 2020 before 12:00 Hours Apollo Bhutan Insttute of nursing is pleased Bhutan Standard Time. to announce vacancy for the post of dean. The candidate should meet the following eligibility criteria:
1. Be a Bhutanese citzen. 2. Minimum of Masters Degree in Nursing or Masters in Midwifery or Masters in Nursing Administraton or Masters in Nursing Educaton and Public Health. 3. A registered Nurse and Midwife with a minimum of three years clinical experience or teaching experience in nursing programme. For enquiries please call 17532285 or mail at [email protected]
notifiCation druk fErro alloys limitEd Phuentsholing DFAL/A-02/2020/ The Company would like to notfy our valuable Shareholders that the percentage of dividend declared for the year 2019 is 10% and accordingly the record date has been set as 13th april 2020 for the declaraton of Dividend. All the names appearing in the shareholders’ register as on the Record Date are enttled for the payment of dividend. Further, the shareholders are requested to provide us the change of address, bank details and their tpn number, to this ofce to facilitate disbursement of dividend. Kindly, send the information via email at [email protected] or contact us at 05- 252469, Fax 05-253975 and to RSEBL sonamlhagyel@ rsebl.org.bt. Contact at 02-324296 Chief Executve Ofcer ADVERTISEMENT PAGE 6 Tuesday, April 07, 2020 | KUENSEL
Bid ExtEnsion noticE PuBLic notiFication druk GrEEn PowEr corPoration MinistRy of HoMe AnD CUltURAl AffAiRs LimitEd Department of Immigraton (a company) Tha(01)/2020/2167 DGPC/CPD/CMPD/18/2020/103 The Department of Immigraton would like to reiterate and remind the public, partcularly those living in border towns, that all internatonal border crossings The date of submission of bids against NIT No. were closed on 23 March 2020 untl further notce vide Public Notfcaton No. CO0042/2020 dated March 03, 2020 for “Face- NGHA/SEC-33/2020/70 dated 22 March 2020 to mitgate risks and prevent the lifing of CHP Dam Complex” at Chhukha, is hereby importaton and spread of COVID-19 in the country. extended up to 14.30 hrs of April 21, 2020 and shall be opened on the same day at 15:30 hours. 1. All citzens and residents are required to comply with all measures and All other terms and conditons of the Bidding restrictons in place without excepton. However, some individuals are willfully Document shall remain unaltered, unless otherwise violatng the Public Notfcaton by bringing in foreign workers clandestnely notfed. through the open and porous internatonal border. Head 2. Violaton of restrictons in place pursuant to closure of all internatonal border Contracts Management and Procurement Division crossings shall result in severe consequences including punitve acton. Telephone: +975 2 339874 Violators shall be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law in accordance with relevant provisions of the Penal Code and the Immigraton Act of the Kingdom of Bhutan. Director Department of Immigraton. announcEmEnt Director RoyAl UniveRsity of BHUtAn Ofce of the Vice Chancellor RUB/SS/08/2019-2020/4772 The Royal University of Bhutan would like to inform candidates who have applied to sit for Apttude Test for Bachelor of Architecture scheduled on 12 April 2020 that the University has decided not to conduct the Apttude Test for the Academic year 2020. Your admission into Bachelor of Architecture will be on merit based on the marks of class xii. Student Service Ofcer cLassiFiEds advantage. Contact 17693240/77439394. Rent: Space for rent at Changzamtok. Two months rent free. Call lost: Lagthram no. 934 17232222/17584958. of Mrs. Karma Choden, sale: 2 bhk fat village Lungtenphu at Phuentsholing and lagthram no. 3394 core town. Contact of Mrs. Rinzin Lhamo, 17232222 village Simtokha under Thimphu Dzongkhag. Finder may contact vacancy: Any teacher/ 17606952.
graduate who can give nu. PEr units oF ForEiGn currEncy home tuiton to kids of as of yesterday age 6 and 9 for 3 to 4 NOTES hours in a day. Contact Buy Sell 77200033. US $ 75.00 75.35 announcEmEnt vacancy: Wanted PoUnD 92.15 94.70 experienced (ten EURo 81.05 83.30 kuEnsEL corPoration LimitEd years plus) excavator YEn (100) 69.10 71.05 operator at Trashigang, HK $ 9.65 9.95 Kuensel would like to request all our valued clients to menton the bill number salary 20,000/month AUS $ 44.95 46.20 against which you are making the payments in the partculars column in your plus. Able to drive Sing $ 52.20 53.70 e-payment instructon voucher and similarly in the deposit slip for over the 10 wheeler tailor Courtesy BnB counter deposits, and kindly mail the payment instructons/ deposit slip to will be added an [email protected] HOME Tuesday, April 07, 2020| KUENSEL PAGE 7 Crowdfunding portal could manage Covid-19 contributions better
Younten Tshedup treats them to a feast. (CSIs and entrepreneurs) to RSEBL’s chief executive of- he said. “However, we cannot Initiated as an alternative raise small amount of funds ficer, Dorji Phuntsho, said that for certain say those posts are Millions of ngultrum has financing model for startups, from a large number of indi- using the crowdfunding portal, genuine and people could mis- poured in from individuals new business ventures and viduals while providing new interested parties could make use such platforms.” and institutions in a show of cottage and small industries investment avenues for the donations online. He said that The CEO added that when solidarity and gratitude to the in the country less than a year public. crowdfunding campaigns are it comes to crowdfunding, the country’s Covid-19 relief fund. ago, the Royal Securities Ex- There are currently two more transparent in the sense RSEBL as an institution vali- Given the need for funds to change of Bhutan Ltd (RSEBL), types of crowdfunding provid- that people would know how dates all the objectives through sustain measures against the the platform providers, has ed in the country. An equity- and where their donations a strict criterion before making pandemic, majority of the con- successfully completed a do- based crowdfunding is an in- would be utilised once the it public. tributions made are voluntary. nation-based crowdfunding vestment platform, similar to contributions are made. He said that RSEBL had However, besides the over- campaign for Ability Bhutan buying shares. Investors would The list of donors would unofficially informed relevant whelming donations, there Society. be rewarded with returns on also be reflected at the end of agencies to start a crowdfund are a few individuals who are The campaign that the equity, should the business the campaign period, which for Covid-19 when the disease still unaware of the procedures ended yesterday raised Nu prosper. would normally be decided by had initially entered the coun- involved in contribution. 724,212 against the target of And there is donation- organisers. try. “As a platform provider, Many have approached Nu 700,000 to provide early based crowdfunding, where It would be more demon- we have a conflict of interest Kuensel seeking suggestions intervention services to chil- there is no monetary return on strative – using audiovisuals to launch the campaign on our if their donations should go dren from economically dis- the investments and is mainly contents and detail on the cor- own.” to the Prime Minister’s Office advantaged background with organised for charity purpose. wdfunding objectives to con- The company has not re- or the health ministry. While disabilities. vince the donors. “We would ceived any response so far. all donations made would be A total of 106 donors con- Covid-19 and also have better outreach Dorji Phuntsho said that used for any Covid-19-related tributed in the campaign that crowdfunding since it would be carried out the ultimate objective of the activities, many remain unin- began on February 21. A group In the wake of the Covid-19 cri- digitally through social media campaign is to reach out to all formed. of tourist through a tour com- sis, a global trend, in response platforms.” people who want to donate. Crowdfunding could come pany also donated more than of the pandemic is the coming He said that RSEBL started Meanwhile, he said that the as a solution to this. Nu 400,000. up of multiple crowdfunding the corwdfunding given the company is also preparing to The concept of crowd- platforms as an opportunity potential social media plat- bring on board international funding is similar to the cus- How does for fund raising. forms had on the emotions of donors. “We are working with tomary models of constructing crowdfunding work? While the government has people. “Today there are a lot of the banks to open link for pay- a house in villages, where the Bhutan Crowdfunding, a opened a Covid-19 relief fund posts online where people seek ment gateway. We should be whole village comes to provide digital platform developed by account, nobody is aware of financial assistance from the done by next week or so.” voluntary labour and the host RSEBL allows business firms how the fund is being utilised. crowd with different motives,”
Prices of essential commodities rise in Mongar
Tshering Namgyal | Mongar vegetable such as onion, to- price rise on increased trans- mato and ginger, among oth- portation cost. They now “We won’t die of COVID-19 ers. have also increased. have to pay up to Nu 50,000 but of starvation for sure.” “The suppliers in the bor- on transportation cost via In Mongar, this is an oft- der areas bring the vegetables Thimphu. repeated phrase. There has inside the gate now and they “There is a need to regulate been price rise, particularly charge extra for that,” a vendor prices of the commodities,” a for vegetables, recently; rush said. civil servant said. “Long-term in the market has become a A bag of SK Gold rice now impact on the people could be kind of new normal. costs anywhere between Nu serious.” On the top floor of the 1,450-Nu 1,900. A 5-litre oil Mongar’s thromde thue- town’s three-storey vegetable costs at least Nu 450. Prices mi, Namgay Dorji, said that market where local products of dry fish and dry chili have vendors were told not to in- are sold, local potatoes are increased to at least 400 per kg. creases prices of commodities. His Holiness the Je Khenpo appointed Lam Namgyel now sold at Nu 60 per kg. The “I did not stock items after An official of regional trade Wangchuk as the new Machhen Zimpon (chamberlain price rise is between Nu 10-50 hearing the announcement on and industry said that the situ- for Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel’s embalmed body in depending on vegetables. For the BBS. But I had to buy 45kg ation was being monitored to Punakha Dzong) at Pungthang Dewa Chenpoi Phodrang example, the price of cauli- SK Gold rice at Nu 1,850. There address unfair trade practices. yesterday morning. Machhen Zimpon Namgyel Wangchuk, flower has risen from Nu 50 to is panic buying,” said Dema, a “However, we have been 61, was the Lam Neten of Wangduephodrang Rabdey from Nu 80 per kg. Same for broc- farmer from Jamchoeling. informed by some traders that 2014 to till now. coli. Beans are selling for Nu Customers say that shop- transporting commodities via He also served as Lam for the Royal Bhutan Army in 150 to 200 per kg. keepers have ganged up to fix Thimphu is expensive and, Lungtenphu from 2008 to 2014. He was the Lam Neten of “Everything gets sold so prices of the commodities. hence, the price rise,” said of- Mongar dratshang from 2006 to 2008 and Lam Neten of quickly these days,” said Dorji, Some shopkeepers say they ficiating regional director, Trashigang from 2001 to 2006. a farmer from Chali village. are left without a choice. Karma T Rinzin. Born in 1950 at Chungney Goenpa, Machhen Zimpon The prices of imported Many shopkeepers blame joined the Wangduephodrang dratshang at the age of six. DIVER SION PAGE 8 Tuesday, April 7, 2020 | KUENSEL
Quick CLUES
KwikPuzzle Xword 1993 © Gemini Crosswords 2012 All rights reserved Across Cryptic Clues 1 King of theQuick Huns (6) Clues 4 Health 123 4 5678Inconvenient (8) Across 9 Horse’sAcross fastest pace (6) 1 Provide inspiration forCapsule puzzle (6) 10 Person 1 King habitually of the Huns (6) 4 Made fish pie for the hungry (8) 910 exploited 4 Inconvenient (8) (8) 9 Garden flower periodical (6) 12 Financially 9 Horse’s viable fastest (8) pace (6) 10 Celebrated form of mahogany (8) 11 13 Grassy 10 Person treeless habituallyEuropean exploited (8) 12 Parson takes tea without milk or sugar (8) plain 12 (6) Financially viable (8) 12 13 13 Stick the notice in this place (6) 15 Neat 13 (4)Grassy treeless European plain (6) 15 When the buzzer gets loud, complain (4) 14 16 Maintain 15 Neat solidarity (4) (5,5) 16 One way and another I’ll stop (10) 19 By 16 a veryMaintain large margin solidarity (5,5) 19 An organisation that delivers (6,4) 15 16 17 (3,3,4) 19 By a very large margin (3,3,4) 20 Leave the stage (4) 20 A better mark (4) 18 20 Leave the stage (4) 23 Material mother makes on request (6) 23 Daringly 23 Daringly naughty naughty (6) (6) 25 Suddenly lose 25 They’re enquiry agents of course (8) 19 20 21 25 Suddenly lose consciousness (5,3) consciousness (5,3) 27 None left unhurt? (3,5) 22 27 Fail 27 to Failnotice to (8)notice (8) 28 Walk slowly along the street with a list (6) 28 Inconstant 28 Inconstant (6) (6) 23 24 25 29 Girl holds no alternative site for Hamlet (8) 29 Susceptible 29 Susceptible to illness to (8) illness (8) 30 Virtuous but possibly cheats (6) 30 Niggardly (6) 26 30 Niggardly (6)
Down 27 28 Down 1 What this youngster’s mother did (7) Down 1 To increase (7) 2 Snare set with meat for tigers perhaps (3-6) 1 To increase2 Unreasonably (7) large request (4,5) 3 Fast horses (6) 2 Unreasonably 3 Be a spectator large request (4,2) 29 30 5 Call of the sea? (4) (4,5) 5 Members of a convent (4) 6 Swirling mist hides the way forward (8) 3 Be a 6spectator Introductory (4,2) music (8) 5 Members of a convent (4) 7 Gate returns may depend on its smooth operation (5) April 4 , answers 7 Make sense (3,2) 8 Healthy lodging for prisoner charged with battery (3,4) 6 Introductory 8 Stray music from (8)the point (7) 7 Make sense (3,2) 11 Read something aloud and acted it out (7) Across: 1 Capable,Solution 5 Custody, to 9 Licence, last 10 week’s Maudlin, 11 puzzle Idiom, 12 Technique, 13 11 Direct wrongly (7) Go it alone, 15 Chess, 16 Brass, 18 Tenacious, 21 In earnest, 24 Aries, 25 Awesome, 8 Stray from the point (7) 14 An Italian poet? Not too fast! (7) A DDRESS EXPRESS C APABLE CUSTODY 14 As a rule (7) 26 Provoke, 27 Descend, 28 Deposit. 11 Direct wrongly (7) 17 Careless way to get into debt (9) F A A P A O P O A U Y R O P B A 14 As 17 a ruleClosest (7) living relative (4,2,3) 18 It requires an answer in quotes perhaps (8) FIN ESSE SAWM ILL LICENCE MAUDLIN 18 Openly (2,6) IDown:D 1T Calling,L 2T Puccini,E 3S By noO means, 4 Erect,L C 5 ComeO clean,C E6 Spurn,R 7 I K 17 Closest living relative 19 Excessive bureaucracy tapered out (3,4) ROblique,AIS E8 Yankees,LOWE 14 OnRF theOR mend,M 15 Cock-a-hoop,IDIOM 16 Brigand,TE CHN17 Ageless,IQ 19UE (4,2,3) 19 Permanently (3,4) 21 Decide to find a different answer (7) M N R A D O N N E L U E 18 Openly 21 Shaky (2,6) (7) SPOminous,I NDR 20 Suspect,IER 22SHE Rhone,EN 23 Tepid. GO ITALONE CHESS 22 Flicker of an electric light? (6) A M D Q N N A O 19 Permanently 22 Text of (3,4) broadcast (6) 24 Loses form in the heat (5) ITALY POSTUL ATE BRASS T ENAC IOUS 21 Shaky 24 Bombard(7) with artillery (5) N G E A R N R G H K M U 22 Text of broadcast (6) 26 A woman cleaning fish (4) RE INFORCE TIGER INEARNEST AR IES 26 A sweet fortified wine (4) O T L F E T U A G L H M E H N P 24 Bombard with artillery (5) AVARICE RA ILING AWE SOME PROVOKE 26 A sweet fortified wine (4) Know your D T N C I N N E N S N N I O U C SLE IGHT ENGAGES DESCEND DEPOS IT Solution on Thursday health Cryptic Quick Across: 1 Address, 5 Express, 9 Finesse, 10 Sawmill, 11 Raise, 12 Lower form, 13 Spin drier, 15 Across: 1 Capable, 5 Custody, 9 Licence, 10 Maudlin, 11 Idiom, 12 Technique, 13 Go it alone, 15 Sheen, 16 Italy, 18 Postulate,Practice 21 Reinforce, respiratory 24 Tiger, 25 Avarice, 26 Railing, 27 Sleight, 28 Engages. Chess, 16Sudo Brass, 18 kuTenacious, 21 In earnest, 24 Aries, 25 Awesome, 26 Provoke, 27 Descend, 28 Deposit. Down: 1 Affirms, 2 Dandini,hygiene 3 Easter Day, 4 Spell, 5 Eastwards, 6 Power, 7 Episode, 8 Solomon, 14 Imperfect, 15 Squatting, 16 Inroads, 17 Agitate, 19 Arguing, 20 Enrages, 22 Fling, 23 Eerie. Down: 1 Calling, 2 Puccini, 3 By no means, 4 Erect, 5 Come clean, 6 Spurn, 7 Oblique, 8 Yankees, 14 Make sure you, and the people around On the mend, 15 Cock-a-hoop, 16 Brigand, 17 Ageless, 19 Ominous, 20 Suspect, 22 Rhone, 23 Tepid. you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately. Why? Droplets spread virus. By following good respiratory hygiene you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19.
Info courtesy - who.int BC
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 HOME Tuesday, April 07, 2020 | KUENSEL PAGE 9 E-commerce picks MPU reopens up, as Covid-19 after a year discourage outing
Choki Wangmo Shop’s website, text messages, charges are fixed and based on phone calls or social media location. You name it— foods, clothes, platforms. While the number of walk- books, drink and online fitness Sangay Nedup said that in in sales has decreased in One classes—global Covid-19 pan- a worst case scenario such as a Click Shop, online orders have demic has created a massive national lockdown, the shop is increased as people are cau- demand for e-commerce and prepared to supply fruits and tious, said the founder Zigyal online shopping platforms vegetables within Thimphu. Tshering. “Bulk orders are in recent months within the However, he is concerned common nowadays as people country. about the safety of his team are stocking up essentials fear- With health advisories on delivery. “We are seeking ing a complete lockdown.” encouraging physical distanc- safety training opportunities The shop offers door to ing, consumer behaviour has from authorities as we only door home delivery of grocer- been forced to change, people have sand sanitisers, gloves and ies, vegetables, cosmetics, meat is changing the online world face masks.” items and household items. through what they are buying, Happy Delivery Service With a minimum of 25 orders when, and how. Segments (HDS), a delivery service within a day, business has picked for across e-commerce are help- Thimphu and Paro quarantine the shop. The shop at one time ing ease peoples’ anxieties by centres started towards the end received 60 orders in a day. MPU at Dangdung bringing solutions both virtu- of March is seeing a ten-fold in- As of yesterday, 27 busi- ally as well as to the doorstep. crease in orders. ness entities have listed with Nim Dorji | Trongsa more cows. Since the first confirmed The founder of HDS, Jigme Yellow Bhutan on social media The unit buys the milk case in Bhutan, a vegetable Singye, said his service is not platform, Instagram. The ini- The milk processing unit at Nu 40 per litre from the and fruit delivery enterprise in confined to foods, but like a tiative encouraged physical (MPU) at Dangdung in members. The unit will be Thimphu, Bhutan Smart Shop one-stop shop and deliver distancing through delivery of Langthel, Trongsa, which re- producing yoghurt, milk, but- has seen an increasing trend in whatever clients’ order. essentials, exercise, education, mained closed for more than a ter cheese and will be mak- the number of online orders. The Dish8Door, an app-based and entertainment to people. year opened yesterday. ing panner (raw milk cottage founder, Sangay Nedup, said that food delivery service within The services registered The unit started operation cheese) on demand. every day, the shop gets a mini- Thimphu has 38 restaurants were in education, food deliv- in September 2018. However There is also a plan to sup- mum of 30 orders compared to listed with them. The founder, eries, books, groceries, elec- after three months, it had to ply their products in nearby 4-5 orders in the past. Ngawang Tobgay, said he is tronics, and virtual exercise close shop because of shortage towns in the future. The unit Customers can place their exploring delivery in the quar- classes and resources among in milk supply. also aims to promote local pro- orders through Bhutan Smart antine centres too. Delivery others. The unit was constructed duce and reduce the depend- with financial support from ency on imported products in Mangdechhu Hydropower the current Covid-19 situation. Authority and is run by 27 Some of the members members of Langthel livestock who can’t afford to buy cow development cooperative. are planning to quit, but it According to the coop- won’t hamper the milk supply erative’s chairperson, Ugyen as most members have more Tshomo, most of the cows the than two cows each. members owned died, which The dzongkhag livestock led to a shortage of milk. sector provided technical “Without milk we couldn’t assistance, capacity devel- operate,” she said. “People in opment training and other the community with cows, but policy-level support to the not member of the coopera- cooperative. tive, did not bring their milk to Dzongkhag livestock of- the unit because of the better ficer, Jigme Chophel said that price it fetched when sold on dzongkhag administration and their own,” she said. livestock sector through the However in the last one dzongkhag development grant year, the cooperative in col- intervened to allow farmers laboration with dzongkhag to invest in the business with livestock sector has worked on long term sustainable strategy. a plan to make the cooperative New equipment such as sustainable. cream separator, yoghurt- Through a cost-sharing filling machine are provided mechanism, 40 cows were while a new butter churner is handed to the members where proposed. Some members of The United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Bhutan office has donated 1,000 70 percent of the cost of a cow the community were trained litres of hand sanitisers along with awareness posters and brochures to the health ministry is borne by dzongkhang and on breed intensification yesterday. The hand sanitisers will be distributed among the law enforcement agencies 30 percent by the individual through artificial insemination working along the southern borders to prevent the spread of Covid-19. UNODC’s national member. This was to encour- while the livestock sector will coordinator, Tandin Wangmo, handed the items to the health secretary, Dr Ugen Dophu. age and help the members buy start fodder development. HOME PAGE 10 Tuesday, April 07, 2020| KUENSEL Man who jumped Football clubs’ quarantine still at large Staff Reporter tightlipped, Kuensel found out sustainability at risk that the man was brought in to A 31-year-old man is at large the quarantine centre from a after he escaped from the quar- point of entry at Simana Dara, antine centre at Panbari Pri- a small village that borders with mary School at Tading, Samtse Indian town of Totapara. Thinley Namgay said that in other countries, on April 3. The man has a history of rich people own the football Sources said he escaped travelling to Darjeeling, Sikkim The new coronavirus has Due to my club, but in Bhutan, middle from the quarantine centre and Kalimpong in India about not only cancelled football class people own clubs. “We passion, I invest between 1am and 3am in two months ago. tournaments, but its impact don’t get anything in return. the morning of April 3. It had After returning, he had is eating into the sustainabil- in football It is simply driven by our rained and there was no power stayed at Totapara. He was ity of local football clubs. from the extra passion for football.” when the man escaped from working at a mining company With local and regional National players are not the facility. for two months. tournaments put on hold, income I get. affected as they earn Nu The man is from Tob- It has also been learnt that football clubs are finding it With tourism 30,000 a month with support chenthang village of Tading the escapee is a drug abuser difficult to pay footballers, from the BFF and the Druk and was quarantined since and had been in police custo- especially who are totally dead, it is Holding and Investment March 31. Although officials are dies several times before. dependent on the sports for difficult to pay Limited. a living. According to BFF of- Of the 13 registered foot- salary for ficials, almost 200 people ball clubs under the Bhutan footballers and were employed by the 13 reg- Football Federation (BFF), istered football clubs under TOMORROW Thimphu City FC, Paro FC, other staff. the BFF at present. “Dis- Good Day Transport United FC and continuing the clubs would Bad Day High Quality United FC were increase the unemployment the worst affected. rate,” said an official. This is because club owners had been sustaining BFF to the rescue the club on income gener- To help the clubs amid the A good day for rituals (laza): ated through tourism related Covid-19 crisis, BFF has those born in the tiger and rabbit years. business and prize money of given Nu 200,000 each to Generally a good day (sogza): giving salary for the 12 play- the tournaments. six clubs- Thimphu City FC, those born in the monkey and rooster Thimphu City FC’s ers who are dependent on Paro FC, Transport United years. owner, Hishey Tshering said football. “From this month, FC, Paro United FC, High A bad day (shedza): that more than football, they we won’t be able to pay their Quality United FC and Druk those born in the ox and dragon years. are worried about the foot- salary. We are dependent Stars FC yesterday. ballers. Hishey Tshering is purely on the prize money BFF’s General Secretary, a tour operator and owns and if the tournaments are Ugyen Wangchhuk, said Time of issue: 04:00 PM, hotel. “My priority at pre- to be withheld, it is defi- that the AFC has stopped SUNRISE : 5:45 am |SUNSET : 6:22 pm 6 April 2020 sent is to ensure that I pay nite that the club would be some fund for BFF that the salary to my tourism and closed.” federation used to support hotel staff. Due to my pas- As of now, there are no the clubs. “AFC themselves sion, I invest in football from foreign players in the clubs. is facing difficulty. We un- the extra income I get. With Clubs are even suggest- derstand the problems of Gasa Trongsa Bumthang Sarpang Phuentsholing tourism dead, it is difficult ing continuing with the local the clubs, but it is global to pay salary for footballers tournaments behind closed problem,” he said. “We have 13 19 16 30 31 and other staff,” said Hishey doors. excess funds at present but it 2 8 5 21 18 Tshering. Paro FC’s board member, is all activity tied funds and There are 23 players, two Chencho Norbu said that we cannot use it directly. We Source: National Center for Hydrology and Meteorology. managers and a coach with from the nine board mem- have to get approval from For any weather information: Call hotline 335578 Thimphu City FC. The salary bers, seven are doing tour- FIFA and AFC.” for the players ranges from ism related business. Meanwhile, big football Nu 8,000 to 10,000 a month. “We own a football leagues around the world Salary for team director ground, but it is closed. like the La Liga, English Pre- and coach is Nu 22,000 and There are 22 players and mier League, Bundesliga and 50,000 respectively. only two players have regu- Serie A players have agreed “Among 23 players, only lar job. At the moment, we to the pay cut. Barcelona two have regular job. From can’t afford to pay,” said and Athletico Madrid play- this month, we can’t pay Chencho Norbu. ers have agreed to take a 70 salary. We have decided to Since some players have percent pay cut in salary to pay the rent and provide no place to live, Thimphu help employees during coro- ration to those who live in City FC and Transport Unit- navirus. It cannot be repli- the club house. If the tour- ed FC have rented an apart- cated in the country because naments continue in the fu- ment. of already meager salary of ture, club will compensate Thimphu City FC pays a footballers. some amount,” said Hishey monthly rent of Nu 17,000 to To contain the spread of Tshering. accommodate eight players. Covid-19, the government Transport United FC’s Transport United FC pays a has announced the prohibi- board member, Yeshey rent of Nu 20,000 for the nine tion of all the sports that in- Samdrup, said that until players. volve physical contact since last month, they have been Clubs representatives March 27.
Printed and published by Kuensel Corporation Limited, PO Box 204, Tel: 975-2-322483/324688, Fax: 975-2-322975, www.kuenselonline.com BICMA Lic no. 303000005, ISSN 0259 1499 NO MORE
MONTHLY CHARGES
MOBILE BANKING
Waiving off monthly charges from mBoB
Making mBoB FREE for our valued clients in order to encourage Digital Banking to avoid touching bank notes, visiting Branch Ofces and encourage physical distancing during this COVID-19 pandemic. (w.e.f. 01/04/2020)