Risks High in Re-Opening Classes PP-VIII : Moh Minister

SATURDAY

Younten Tshedup

With growing evidence suggesting that flu vaccines could provide certain protection against Covid-19, the government will start vaccination for the public in November. Protection here primarily means reducing the strain on the health care system and hospital resources in the event of the second wave of the pandemic. Health Minister Dechen Wangmo during a press briefing yesterday said that the ministry has started to provide flu vaccines to the high- risk population – health workers, pregnant mothers, people with comorbidities, elderlies above the age of 65 and children below the age of two – beginning last year. Lyonpo said that the flu season in the country peaks by mid-October and that is when Mass test: Swab samples from 1,343 people were collected yesterday as mass surveillance began in the the priority groups receive the vaccination. In four zones of Samdrupjongkhar thromde. The samples will be sent to Dewathang testing centre. the following two months, as the rest of the Pg 12 population also starts getting the flu, the mass vaccination would begin. The vaccines would cost the government more than Nu 120 million. So far the health ministry alone has spent about Nu 1.1 billion for Covid-19 containment Risks high in re-opening efforts. The cost incurred is for the procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE), test kits, testing reagents and ventilators, Classes PP-VIII : MoH among others and does not include the cost of quarantine. Pg 2 minister Focus Point Yangchen C Rinzin WASH station, proper ventilated classes shut. areas, and a response team in case “Globally, outbreaks are usu- ased on the risk as- of an outbreak. ally from lower-grade schools. We sessment, the health “If these measures are in place, must learn from others too.” ministry has advised the government could go ahead Lyonpo told Kuensel that based the government with the re-opening of schools.” on the risk assessment if one stu- against reopening Lyonpo at the press briefing dent from lower grade tests posi- BClasses Pre-Primary to VIII for the yesterday said that it was analysed tive for Covid-19, the rest of the remaining academic session. from all aspects: impact on chil- students and their parents have to Health Minister Dechen Wang- dren, economy, and other possible be quarantined. This was because mo said that the ministry’s deci- situations. no parents would want to leave sion came after several discussions “For high schools, there is a their minors alone at the quaran- with the education ministry and milestone they need to achieve, tine. the parents and considering all the so there are no options than to “I wouldn’t want to leave my external factors. re-open. Otherwise, for the health 8-year-old son inside the quar- The minister earlier had said ministry, we would be happy if all antine alone and small children that for schools to re-open, they the schools remain close because wouldn’t be able to communicate must have adequate public health one positive would infect all.” if they develop symptoms.” measures such as physical distanc- Several other logistic issues . Pg 2 ing, enough testing provisions, also attributed to keeping lower HOME PAGE 2 Saturday, September 12, 2020| KUENSEL Risks high in re-opening Classes PP-VIII : MoH minister From Pg 1 tinue mobile teaching since Lyonpo said that going students cannot access online by the teacher-student ratio platforms,” a teacher said. it would be difficult to moni- Few teachers also shared tor students to follow health that those students who used safety measures all time. to access online education “All the measures are based through television are also on the learning from other deprived now that BBS broad- countries, some of the best casts only movies. “They don’t examples, global practices have internet access to watch and recommendations from through other social media the experts,” Lyonpo said. platforms.” “When we talk about In such cases, the health safety, there are two levels minister agreed that they of safety, physical safety and could continue teaching but safety of self, which the small the decision would be solely children will not be able to left to the education ministry. practice diligently.” “They’ve their own re- Health Minister interacts with reporters after the press conference yesterday Lyonpo said the decision striction and certain stand- percent of teachers are De- and we keep receiving issues public ECCD centres would is based on practical perspec- ards put in place when it Suups. like shortages of De-Suup not be allowed to open. It is tives and from the disease comes to re-opening schools. “We have the most im- volunteers at the borders,” left for the private centres to perspectives. The ministry cannot re-open portant task in places like Lyonchhen said. “Re-opening decide and in case they open Meanwhile, some of the a few schools and keep other Phuentsholing where every schools would disturb that.” the safety protocols have to be teachers from remote schools schools closed.” day patrolling is important, Health Minister said that implemented strictly. and highlands said their Earlier Prime Minister schools should be allowed to Dr Lotay Tshering said that teach face-to-face learning. the government would have “It’s becoming difficult to to look into re-opening of reach out to students and con- Classes PP-VIII, as almost 65 Flu vaccination for all to start from November From Pg 1 Lyonpo said that if peo- new information continues TV Schedule Fight against Covid-19 ple could sincerely follow the to evolve. One such evolve- continues Covid-19 guidelines and safety ment has been in the field of Sept 12, 2020 Save for a few high-risk places protocol for at least three testing. (southern locations), as the to four months, the country To begin with, the reverse The Straight Path (Short Film) 9am country resumes its regular would pass the threshold. transcription-polymerase Udumvara 10am activities, Lyonpo cautioned of “These few months are very chain reaction (RT-PCR) test the impending threat should critical for all of us.” was the only testing mecha- Gaki Choe Lu Gha 3:30pm people let their guard down. The minister called for nism to detect Covid-19 ini- With the movement of collective responsibility to tially. The Travel Show 7:30pm people now allowed across the get through these trying times. Lyonpo said that as experts country, Lyonpo said that the She said that while most of began to learn new knowledge Storyville Global 9:10pm biggest concern for the govern- the countries have started to about the virus, they came Global Questions 11:30pm ment now was the detection impose fines for not wearing up with the rapid diagnostic of multiple cases from various face masks, the government test (RDT) that uses blood as did not want to follow a simi- samples for testing. Recently World ‘s Deadliest 1:30pm parts of the country. The minister said that if lar path. another rapid testing method Discovery School Super League 2:30pm people were not careful, the “For the health minis- (antigen) was discovered. try, we want to empower our All three methods are cur- Biggest and Baddest 7:20pm overwhelming number of cases could collapse the health citizens so that they can make rently in use in the country. facilities in the country. the right choice. This is also a Now there are reports “We have seen this happen means for sustaining our inter- about Covid-19 tests being NBA Action 2019/20 3:30pm in some of the most developed ventions put in place.” conducted using saliva and countries. And given our limit- However, Lyonpo said that breadth as samples. Lyonpo UFC Classics 7:30pm ed resources, we cannot afford despite the numerous requests said that although not widely UNL 2020/21 HLs 11:30pm to be casual.” and pleas from the govern- used, these methods have Almost 10 months into the ment, if people don’t follow the been piloted in some of the safety protocols, at some point countries. The Meg 7:15pm pandemic, Lyonpo said that the world knows only little in time, enforcements have to “For now the literature is Batman Vs superman 9:30pm about the virus and there was come in. limited on these methods. We “But I personally think this have to see and understand I Am Legend 11:59pm no specific treatment yet. “These are unprecedented won’t happen. Our people the efficacy of the test – its times, which we are experienc- have been very supportive es- sensitivity and specificity,” the X-men: Apocalypse 10am ing for the first time in history. pecially during the lockdown.” minister said. As a small country, in such “If these methods are bet- Ice Age 12:30pm situations, we must focus and New testing methods ter than what we currently Mulan 11:15pm prioritise on preventive meas- As experts continue to learn have, we would definitely ures.” about the novel Coronavirus, consider it.” HOME Saturday, September 12, 2020| KUENSEL PAGE 3 Govt. offers bonds worth 3B for public subscription

MB Subba Nu 1,000 (face value) while the September 26, 2023, on which been raising much of its fi- the Royal Monetary Authority maximum limit has not been the principal amount and final nancial requirements through (RMA). In view of the need of promote specified. interest will be paid. external concessional borrow- The government is ex- and sustain capital market The submission of sub- The main objectives of is- ings. However, the govern- pected to issue bonds of the amid the Covid-19 pandemic, scription applications opened suing the bonds include creat- ment has started to resort to maturity period ranging from the government has offered from September 7 and will ing opportunities for domestic domestic and international three years to seven years dur- bonds worth Nu 3 billion (B) close at 12PM of September investors and domestic liquid- markets to fund development ing the fiscal year 2020-21. with a maturity period of three 22. ity management during liquid- projects. “Against these imperatives, years for public subscription. The annual coupon (in- ity shortfall in the economy. The government plans to the government and the Royal While the bond will sup- terest) rate of the bond is 6.5 This is the first time that issue long-term bond on a Monetary Authority (RMA) port government spending, it percent. The interest earned the government is raising fi- regular basis to develop the urge all the potential investors is a secure investment option from the bonds is non-taxable nancing through long-term bond market. to participate in promoting do- for those who are looking for a for PIT. bonds after the finalisation of The ministry expects that mestic bond market and sup- regular return, as the finance However, the interest in- the rules and regulations for the bond will benefit investors port the economy in fighting ministry will pay coupon (income from the bond is taxable issuance of government bonds in meeting their long-term in- the pandemic,” the RMA has terest) on a half yearly basis. income (5 percent as TDS) in June this year. vestment needs. notified. The minimum value of for the BIT and CIT paying According to the finance The bonds are offered for investment has been fixed at entities. The maturity date is ministry, the government has public subscription through Should political parties not in power matter? MB Subba the Constitution. The Attorney latest press release that gen- locus standi. “From one angle, the decision General stated the govern- erated a debate on the social The PDP is having a taste looks legitimate,” he said. On September 7, the People’s ment’s stand was right. media. As the PDP’s press of its own medicine, accord- The former PDP candidate Democratic Party (PDP) is- Should views of parties release went viral, some ing to journalist and writer, from the Radhi Sakteng con- sued a press release objecting not in power matter? Yes, says anonymous social media users Gopilal Acharya, referring to stituency, Trashigang, Kinlay the government’s nomination many. shared a video clip of the DNT the remarks the former Ly- Dorji, was selected as the of one of its founding mem- “Registered parties still candidate from Bumthang’s onchhen made on the DNT secretary general of Colombo bers, Tenzing Lekphel, as BIM- represent a sizeable number Chokor Tang constituency in press releases. The former Plan. He had worked as execu- STEC’s Secretary General. of people. They might have which he accuses the PDP gov- editor said democracy could tive director of the Youth De- Urging the government to lost the election, but they ernment of appointing a party only be deepened if people velopment Fund and director review the nomination, PDP have supporters who believe supporter as the managing actively participate in politics in the labour ministry. questioned the nominee’s ca- in their ideology,” says a re- director of BBS. through the parties of their There is a small difference. pability and experience while searcher. “They should stay The candidate, Dawa, had choice. The Colombo Plan had select- calling the nomination it as a relevant.” made the statement during the “There is a constitutional ed Kinlay Dorji among many political appointee. Calling himself a political 2018 election period. limit which disallows repre- applicants from member The government has not observer, a former Member of The former government sentation of registered parties countries. The BIMSTEC sec- made any statement. The Parliament said that political had questioned the legitima- in the Parliament, but this retary general, however, need foreign minister when ap- parties presenting different cy and moral right of DNT to should not limit their impor- not go through competition proached by Kuensel, said that views to the government and issue press releases. The DNT tance,” he said. with candidates from other the government of the day had the opposition party is good. also got ridiculed by the then Gopilal in an article soon countries as it is appointed on the authority to nominate and “What we need in a de- prime minister, Dasho Tsher- after the former Lyonchhen’s a rotational basis. that member countries agreed mocracy is discourse. There ing Tobgay when responding remark on DNT press releases Some argue that the PDP to the nomination. could be issues that the gov- to DNT’s press release on the had written that parties with suggesting nominations from Political parties not in ernment or the opposition fiscal incentives in June 2017, no role in governance should the civil service or former Parliament had been raising party might oversee,” he said. saying that the party was issu- continue to provide platforms diplomats was also a political issues since the first demo- Last year, during the pay ing press releases “every now for political engagement to move. “Can we not say that cratically elected government revision discussions, the PDP and then” even when it did not their supporters. PDP is trying to keep the civil in 2008. The Druk Nyamrup thanked the government for have presence in Parliament to “They could help com- servant votes in mind,” said Tshogpa (DNT) had been the considering its feedback on the suit its political interest. munities remain connected one. most active and issued several salary revision. The feedback The DNT had called for to politics after the polls. To Meanwhile, Foreign Min- press releases and even moved was on increasing teacher’s al- resignation of the prime min- their supporters these parties ister Dr Tandi Dorji has said court to some of the PDP gov- lowance, minimum daily wage ister and the finance minister will represent political inclu- that Tenzin Lekphel’s nomi- ernment’s decisions. and revision for local leaders. on moral grounds for granting sion in reaching out to policy nation has been accepted by While political parties feel At a press conference on the fiscal incentives without makers, and the very existence BIMSTEC countries. Formal that their concerns should May 22, Prime Minister Dr passing through Parliament. of the party that one supports appointment by foreign min- matter, the trend had been Lotay Tshering, while speak- But the former prime minister is itself an incentive to engage isters of the member countries otherwise, if not shutting up ing on incorporating feedback said that press releases were in politics.” remains to be completed, each other. Last month, the from the DNT office and others a desperate means of DNT to On the issue of political which is expected to take place PDP accused the government had said that he also met with engage with the government appointees, a former National soon as the tenure of the in- of breaching the tobacco con- former Prime Minister Dasho and be heard. Council (NC) member said cumbent secretary general trol Act by temporarily lifting Tshering Tobgay to discuss the The DNT sued the govern- that it was difficult for him to expires on September 20. the ban on sale of tobacco. suggestions from the party and ment on the constitutionality comment on the government’s Tenzin Lekphel did not It alleged the government personally thanked him. of the fiscal issues. The case decision as the precedent was comment on the PDP’s state- of violating the provisions of However, it was the PDP’s was dismissed due to lack set by previous governments. ment. EDITORIAL PAGE 4 Saturday, September 12, 2020 | KUENSEL

MY COUNTRY, MY TOWN All's well that ends well ommuters along the Indian Embassy road at Hejo were yesterday shocked to see expatriate construction workers protesting and threatening to walk back home from Thimphu. Most were worried to see the commotion and the crowd when Covid-19 norms Care still to be followed. The only sight of people coming out on streets and protesting, for many Bhutanese, is only in movies or television. The construction workers who had been in the country for months wanted to go home. The closure of the border and the nationwide lockdown has caused inconvenience to our friends from the neighbouring states of West Bengal. Missing parents and Tied to the past: loved ones back at home, the frustration of getting confined in A modern means of huts for 21 straight days and not getting onions, fish or chickens transport tethered just as added to the problem. The festival season is not far away and the old traditional one, everybody wants to go home. The crowd was controlled and dispersed with the help of the horse, used to be police within a few hours. Everything ended well. The workers Photo: K Jordan, Samtse approached the right place, the Indian Embassy, which had been helping repatriate workers who wanted to go home. It was Send in your pictures to: [email protected] an additional headache during the Covid-19 pandemic, but the Embassy had come to the rescue of workers and the Bhutanese employers both in facilitating their journey home and avoiding Section 35 of Evidence Act an problems here. There are thousands of workers waiting to go home. During normal times, it is the time expatriate workers take leave to go impediment to consumer justice with their savings and celebrate the numerous festivals. It is called The Section 35 of the Evidence by any laws in force.” However, matter, Section 35 of EA applies the puja season, from now until the end of October. Covid-19 has Act (EA) of Bhutan 2005 is an Section 19 states “irrespective of to every written agreement. disrupted the plans. obstacle and impediment to the value of its subject matter”, if It is must be understood that As we ease the lockdown, the issue of thousands of workers justice in consumer disputes. there is a prescribed formality, it production of witness and legal wanting to go on back deserves some attention. In fact, our au- This section determines the must be followed only if it fulfills stamp in every transaction in the thorities should take this up as a priority. The workers are here validity of a written agreement. the requirement, validating the consumer world is impossible. to earn, save and go back to their families. We are talking about It decides the fate of any enforceability of Section 35 of Further, the requirement of hundreds of young men who are frustrated by the lockdown. dispute arising out of a written EA. witness and the legal stamp is an economic burden and There is no point holding them back even if it is at the cost of agreement. According to this Most of the consumer section, every written agreement contracts are based either on impedes an efficient business delayed works. must be executed in presence system generated receipts or a service, especially in the current The thekadhars (contractors) and the construction owners of a witness from each party, cash memo or mere handwritten situation. should understand that too. Most of the workers had no issue with signed by all the parties, and receipts. As per Section 123 (e) The function of judges is to the government or the Indian Embassy. They were complaining must bear a legal stamp. of the Consumer Protection ascertain the existence or non- of building owners not paying them or thekadhars not being The evidence plays a critical Act (CPA) 2012, a consumer existence of fact by evidence and honest after receiving payment from the owners. It may sound role in deciding any dispute contract means a “contract for “apply the substantive law to the like an internal problem, but there are repercussions. because it is only “evidence the supply of goods, or services, ascertained facts and to declare We might have relaxed the restriction, but the threat still re- that logically goes to prove or for a price or consideration.” the rights, liabilities or remedies mains. That’s why the health minister and her team are insisting disprove the existence of those This means, if there is a price in any dispute.” Section 35 on the Covid-19 prevention protocols. When angry or frustrated facts and would thereby get to or consideration for the goods contradicts this fundamental principle if a written agreement mobs come out in droves not respecting established norms, it is the truth of the matter.” Section supplied or services rendered, 14 of the EA defines admissible the agreement becomes valid. is invalidated merely because a risk. Our friends from across the border are used to coming out evidence as to any evidence However, consumer contracts of the absence of a witness or a in groups and flaunting rules. They are even complaining about that proves or disproves a fact fall short of fulfilling the legal stamp. the shortage of onions or its price. The mob culture is there and in issue or “rationally renders requirements of Section 35 Without the only and crucial the situation is ripe for them to gather and demand. the existence of a fact in issue of EA if there is no witness or evidence, there is no way the Let us be honest. We need the hands of the expatriate work- probable or improbable.” But legal stamp. While a competent judges can render justice in ers. Notwithstanding the numerous programmes or incentives Section 35 overrides Section witness and legal stamps are any consumer disputes. Since to encourage Bhutanese to take up blue-collar jobs, it will take 14 because, if an agreement important in many written there is comprehensive contract ages to replace them. We need not give into their demands, but becomes invalid, the written agreements to “reinforce the law and other relevant statutes we cannot hold them back against their will. agreement is inadmissible in the validity and authenticity and pertaining to written agreement, court. add “another layer of security” repealing Section 35 of the EA Section 16 of the Contract exceptions are necessary. would be a good option. Act 2013, which is a parent These possess a huge FOR FEEDBACK contract law, states that impediment not only for Sonam Tshering an agreement is valid as long as consumer contracts but a Lawyer, Thimphu Call 324684 or email it is made by competent parties, whole range of other written with “free consent for a lawful agreements. This is because, Disclaimer: The views [email protected] consideration or object and is unlike other laws which only expressed in this article are not declared to be void or illegal pertains to their own subject author's own.

MANAGING DIRECTOR - Bachu Phub Dorji, MANAGING EDITOR - Ugyen Penjor, PRINTING GM - Karma Nima, MARKETING & SALES GM - Karma J Yangzom, KANGLUNG REGIONAL MANAGER - Ugyen Wangdi HOME Saturday, September 12, 2020| KUENSEL PAGE 5 Construction workers demand that they be sent home Yangyel Lhaden intervened, they were dispersed peacefully to their Frustrated with the lockdown camps. Officer in Command that disrupted work and the (OC) of Thimphu Police Sta- festival season approach- tion, Gembo Penjor said that ing, a huge group, about it was unlawful to protest in 400 expatriate construction the country. workers from as far as Paro Most workers said they protested outside the Indian wanted to go home as they Embassy yesterday, threaten- have families to look after. ing to walk back home, if they Some claimed that they were are not allowed to go. out of work for more than The commotion was two months and living was quickly dispersed with the expensive. Many said onion help of the Royal Bhutan and tomato were not avail- Police. The crowd of work- able and even if it was it was ers extended from the lower not affordable. Many are wor- gate of the Embassy to the ried if there would be another Zhichenkhar building, popu- lockdown in the country. larly known as CBS Dzong. Kapudin Miya, a con- Some workers claimed struction worker said that he that they were frustrated as applied for the permit three the embassy informed them months ago and he was des- that vehicles were arranged perate to go home to his fam- for them to go home yes- ily. “My family is struggling,” terday. “We came with our he said. Another worker, Indian workers protesting belongings as early as 5 am Phalanath said he came with thinking that there are buses his belongings after he found arranged,” said one. Embassy out that his contractor lied to officials trying to control the him saying that his name was crowd said they had nothing registered three months ago. to comment. Meanwhile, some work- The construction workers said that Embassy Of- ers claimed that they had ficials have informed them registered to go home with they would be sent in the the embassy more than three following days according to months ago. Some registered their registration numbers. only days ago. Every day there is a long The patrolling team of line of Indians waiting to De-Suups and police were register at the India house to taken by surprise when the go home. The Embassy had workers started shouting been assisting workers to and protesting. The work- leave for home. ers said that they wanted to In May, two buses with 17 forcefully let the officials give workers left Phuntsholing for them permission to go home. Assam. On June 3, bus with “If we are given the permit, labourers went home, and on we are ready to walk home,” September 5, 145 Punstsang- said one. chu Project II workers left for However, after police India. EXPRESSION OF INTEREST MINISTRY OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT OF COTTAgE AND SMAll INDuSTRIES MoEA/DCSI/EDD-11/2019-20/1291 Department of Cotage and Small Industries will be establishing a retails outlet for products manufactured/produced in Bhutan, The CSI Market to be set up at Changzamtog Industrial Area will be operated by private party to be contracted by DCSI. All CSIs/Bhutanese manufacturers/individual entrepreneurs are welcome to sell their products through this store. In this regard, DCSI would like to invite those interested entrepreneurs and business establishments to submit their product details and its sample in the TO ADvERTISE IN KuENSEl: fomat and the reference available at www.moea.gov.bt and submit it to DCSI on Call 326191 or fax 326638; or before 13:00 hours September 24, 2020. E-mail us at: [email protected] For further clarifcaton, please contact Ms. Ngawang Choden at 17752907. Chief, EDD ADVERTISEMENT PAGE 6 Saturday, September 12, 2020| KUENSEL

REGIONAL REVENUE & CUSTOMS OFFICE, THIMPHU JoB vaCanCy TiMeline eXTension announCeMenT NOTICE INVITING TENDER RRCO/TH/ADM-17/2020-2021/498 naTional pension and RRCO, Thimphu would like to invite sealed bids from eligible and interested providenT fund Bhutanese having valid trade license for the supply of ofce laptop for the FY 2020- 2021. The Natonal Pension and Provident Fund would like to notfy that the deadline for submission of Cost of the tender document : Nu. 300.00 only (Non-refundable) applicatons for the vacancies announced on 6th Sale of the tender document : 14/09/2020 onwards Last date & tme of tender : 12/10/2020 on or before 10:00 AM august 2020 (htp://www.nppf.org.bt/eng/index. submission php?web/get_post/Job/285) on our website is Date & tme of tender opening : 12/10/2020 at 4:00 PM extended tll 30th september 2020 due to the inconveniences faced by the interested applicants A complete set of bidding document can be purchased from the Administraton & Accounts Secton during ofce hours. due to the natonwide lockdown. Regional Director Kindly note that the resubmission of applicaton PUBLIC INFORMATION SERVICES Department of Revenue and Customs already submited is not required; and there are no other changes to the vacancy announcement other than the extension of the tmeline submission. Bhutan EntErprisE awarDs - 2020 For further clarifcaton, call NPPF HRD @ 02- 335096 / 17815177 or sonam.phuntsho@nppf. ~ Call for appliCaTion org.bt during ofce hours for any enquiries or clarifcatons. MinisTry of eConoMiC affairs Actng Chief, HRD Department of Cotage and Small Industry MoEA/DCSI/PD-30/2020/203 The Department of Cotage and Small Industry invites applicatons from cotage aBridGed noTiCe inviTinG and small industries in Producton & Manufacturing and Service (IT & IT enabled) Tender sectors for Bhutan Enterprise Awards - 2020. The best entrepreneurs for the year 2020 will be selected through compettve druK Green power CorporaTion process and will be awarded a certfcate along with cash prize in the following liMiTed categories: Tala Hydropower planT Category & prize rinChEntsE, tala • Small-Scale Entrepreneur of the Year: Nu. 200,000 (a dhi company) • Cotage-Scale Entrepreneur of the Year: Nu. 200,000 (DOMEstiC COMpEtitiVE BiDDinG) • Woman Entrepreneur of the Year: Nu. 200,000 nit no: thp0050/2020 • Rural Entrepreneur of the Year: Nu. 200,000 Tala Hydropower Plant, Druk Green Power • Service (IT & IT enabled) Entrepreneur of the Year: Nu. 200,000 Corporaton Limited invites sealed Bids from The last date for submission of applicaton is 10th October, 2020. eligible Bidders fulflling the eligibility criteria for “Constructon of Laundry and Store near The applicants have optons to either submit the applicaton in hard copy or fle Guesthouse, Rinchentse”. applicaton online using MOSIC (MoEA One Stop Info Center) accessible at (www. The Bidding Documents shall be available from moea.gov.bt). The applicaton form can also be obtained from the Regional Trade 12.09.2020 to 12.10.2020. Bids shall be received & Industry Ofces /Economic Development Ofce in the Dzongkhags. up to 13:00 hours (Bst) on or before 12.10.2020 The Applicaton Form (hard copy) along with supportng documents can be and shall be opened on 14.10.2020 at 14:30 hours submited to: (Bst). Department of Cotage & Small Industry, Detailed NIT and Bidding Documents are available Ministry of Economic Afairs, at DGPC website (www.drukgreen.bt) and can be Thimphu or e-mail to [email protected] downloaded from the website free of cost during For any further informaton, please contact (02) 332741/324470 the period. Head, Technical Support Division Classifieds To adverTise in Kuensel Vacancy: Required an experienced cook. For Call 326191 or sale: Land at Babesa. required: Kitchen details please contact email: [email protected] Contact 17129788. 17601015. helper (female) for a For news: Call 324684 (English), restaurant. Contact 77332447. 333563 (Dzongkha) DIVER SION Saturday, September 12, 2020 | KUENSEL PAGE 7

KwikPuzzle Xword2061 © Gemini Crosswords 2013 All rights reserved Cryptic Clues Quick Clues 123 4 5678 Across Sudoku QuickAcross CLUES 1 The fashion trade (6) 1 Cure (6) Across 4 Common haunt (8) 4 In unison (2,3,3) 910 1 Cure (6) 9 Property of the Orient Express (6) 9 Supercilious (6) 4 In unison (2,3,3) 10 A case is essential back in Lincoln (8) 11 10 By surprise (8) 9 Supercilious (6) 12 Compensation concerning a quilt that’ s ruined (8) 12 Act of retaliation (8) 12 13 10 By surprise (8) 13 Stable and attics for renovation (6) 13 A raiding excursion (6) 12 Act of retaliation (8) 15 How Beethoven finished a set of four notes (4) 14 15 A flexible body armour (4) 13 A raiding excursion (6) 16 The acquisition of a favourable reputation (10) 16 Ambitious (4-6) 15 16 17 15 A flexible body armour (4) 19 Just now - or just Christmas? (7,3) 16 Ambitious19 Ready (4-6) when required (2,3,5) 20 Provides encouragement for poaching perhaps (4) 18 19 Ready20 An when edible required shellfish (4) 23 This by itself is only a gradual process (6) 23 Hush-hush (6) 19 20 21 (2,3,5) 25 Movingly depict an academic (8) 20 An25 edibleSpice shellfish from a tree (4) bark (8) 27 Force to put one means of transport before another (8) 22 23 Hush-hush27 Cooperate (6) (4,4) 28 Oral entreaties find favour (6) 25 Spice28 A fromchoice a tree delicacy bark (8) (6) 29 Was partial to unusual instrument (4,4) 23 24 25 27 Cooperate29 Poor verse (4,4) (8) 30 Stick the notice in this place (6) 30 Seller (6) 26 28 A choice delicacy (6) Down 29Down Poor verse (8) 27 28 30 Seller (6) 1 Brightened up when found not guilty (7) 1 Platform for public speaking (7) 2 A triangle put on top of another figure (3,6) 2 Debatable issue (4,5) 3 Not in appropriate costume (6) 3 Assign to special duty (6) 29 30 Down 5 They’re not excavated but dug only for fun (4) 5 Rational (4) How to play 1 Platform for public speaking 6 Amount to be surveyed? (8) 6 The Western Hemisphere (3,5) (7) 7 Turn out not to one’sFill in thechoice grid so(5) 7 Excellence (5) September 10, answers 2 Debatable issue (4,5) 8 Shake claret to athat point every where row, every it becomes a thick syrup (7) 8 Money saved for future (4,3) 3 Assign to special duty (6) 11 Shortage meanscolumn, I am included and every in 3 possible pay cut (7) Across: 1 Dresser,Solution 5 Festive, to9 Antwerp, last week’s10 Relapse, 11puzzle Terse, 12 Dark horse, 11 Country in southern Africa (7) 13 Colosseum, 15 Holst, 16 Sworn, 18 Put paid to, 21 Dog-eat-dog, 24 Tacit, 25 5 Rational (4) 14 King in great spiritsX 3 box when contains told (7)the WOR STED DRAW ING DRESSER FEST IVE 6 The 14 Western Acute Hemisphereannoyance (7) 17 Right name for anumbers bad dream 1 through (9) 9. AEpicure,A 26A Opening,O I 27L Suggest,N A 28 Pattern.R N E A A Y N L 17 Capital of Pakistan (9)

REBUKED STARTER ANTWERP R ELAPSE (3,5) 18 Announced a number have cleared out (8) Answer 18 Be like (8) BDown:B 1Drastic,E G 2C Enthral,R 3E SeeB reason, 4 Rapid,S H 5 FarR fromI it, F6 Sylph,P 7E M 7 Excellence (5) 19 Bright star in spiral ring complex (7) LE ILA E PHEMERAL T ERSE DARKHORSE 8 Money 19 Lacking saved for flavour future (7) (4,3) 21 Hide away or gradually let out (7) EIn peril,T 8D Element,A 14 Expedient,I E15 Heartfelt,I 16 ASadness,A 17 Ongoing,O 19I N 21 Observe performance of (7) DEDecline,ST 20RO Octagon,YER 22T Azure,IMI 23D Group. C OLOSSEUM HOLST 11 Country in southern Africa 22 Song that’s naughty - everyone joins in! (6) O E G A O X I E (7) 2214 AcuteEventually annoyance (2,4) (7) 24 The last of the prizewinners of course (5) AESOP L IEINWAIT SWORN PUTPAIDTO 24 Resonant metallic sound (5) L H L G P H A N E R E C 17 Capital of Pakistan (9) 26 Forbidden, but a doctor provides it (4) STEVEDORE ERROR DOGEATYEDOAGRSTA CIT 18 Be26 likeTake (8) to one’s heels (4) O A L W T R O O N O Z I R F L A 19 Lacking favour (7) Health RAVIOL I HA IRPIN EP I CURAEGOOPE NING A E BHUTANP N I N O E S N R N U L N O 21 Observe performance of (7) NE STEGG CREASES SUGGEST PATTERN 22 Eventually (2,4) Capsule 24 Resonant metallic sound (5) Cryptic Quick 26 Take to one’s heels (4) Across: 1 Worsted, 5 Drawing, 9 Rebuked, 10 Starter, 11 Leila, 12 Ephemeral, 13 Destroyer, 15 Timid, Across: 1 Dresser, 5 Festive, 9 Antwerp, 10 Relapse, 11 Terse, 12 Dark horse, 13 Colosseum, 15 Holst, 16 Aesop, 18 Lie in wait, 21 Stevedore, 24 Error, 25 Ravioli, 26 Hairpin, 27 Nest egg, 28 Creases. 16 Sworn, 18 Put paid to, 21 Dog-eat-dog, 24 Tacit, 25 Epicure, 26 Opening, 27 Suggest, 28 Pattern. LPG quota increased for Bhutan Solution on Tuesday Down: 1 Warbled, 2 Rabbits, 3 Take a drop, 4 Dodge, 5 Discharge, 6 Alarm, 7 Interim, 8 Garbled, 14 Down: 1 Drastic, 2 Enthral, 3 See reason, 4 Rapid, 5 Far from it, 6 Sylph, 7 In peril, 8 Element, 14 Yellowing, 15 Tangerine, 16 Also-ran, 17 Sheaves, 19 Apropos, 20 Thrones, 22 Elope, 23 Ethic. Expedient, 15 Heartfelt, 16 Sadness, 17 Ongoing, 19 Decline, 20 Octagon, 22 Azure, 23 Group. Idioms Stage fright A drama reference, someone who is nervous performing before an audience "She's stage fright The quota of Liquifed Petroleum Gas for the country has ever time she makes been doubled tp 300 metric tonnes a month a presentation to her boss." Wizard PERSPECTIVE PAGE 8 Saturday, September 12, 2020 | KUENSEL Asia’s Journey at 60 On 16 September, Malaysia The Asian Development Japanese export industriali- ing more insecure. Put simply, if Asian celebrates her 57th national Bank has just published zation route. Development Currently, China’s rise is growth stalls, the world will day, having celebrated on an excellent book on Asia’s essentially came from a seen as the main geopoliti- lose its growth engine. 31st August the 63rd an- Journey to Prosperity, com- young growing population cal rival for the West, since The rise of Asia for the niversary of independence memorating 50+ years of that shifted out of rural ag- she is the West’s largest rest of the century is neither from Britain in 1957. its establishment in 1966. riculture into urban centres, market, biggest supplier, destiny nor pre-ordained. What does Independ- The book tracked Asia’s with pragmatic governments toughest competitor and The West will not sit by to ence mean for former colo- transformation from a working hand-in-hand with rival political model. But see its leadership erode. nies? It means that a nation post-colonial era of essen- markets to create jobs in not far behind China are But as McKinsey’s useful is free to choose its own tially rural Asia to today’s new industries and services. India and ASEAN, both with analyses on Future of Asia future independent from urban and technologically This raised the savings and culturally diverse, younger opined, “The question is no imperial influence. Lest we driven region that accounts investment levels signifi- population, totalling 2 bil- longer how quickly Asia will forget, colonization in Asia for roughly half of global cantly above that of the rest lion people and US$5.8 rise; it is how Asia will lead.” arrived in the 16th century growth. of the world. The state took trillion GDP, about to enter Leading in a culturally with Portuguese, Dutch and Seen from a 60-year care of macroeconomic sta- into technologically driven, diverse and complex world British pirateers who came, cycle, Asia’s transformation bility, education, health and middle-class income levels. is not about fighting, but saw and conquered. They has been world-shattering. infrastructure, preparing the Both South and Southeast about how to work together, did this in the name of their In 1960, Developing Asia labour force for foreign and Asia are about to enjoy the meaning competing and co- king and Christianity, but (ex-Japan) accounted for domestic enterprises to pro- same demographic dividend operating at the same time. it was mostly for their own only 4.1% of world GDP, pell exports and growth. as China, but it will take The greatest Asian divide is well-being. No statistics measured in constant 2010 Those economies that competent governments to not technology, but social illustrates this better than USD terms. That year, EU were most open to tech- ensure that the rise to mid- polarization riven by race, the stark fact that India accounted for 36.2% and nology and innovation, dle and advanced income gender, religion, ideology before colonization in the United States 30.6% including welcoming foreign will be accompanied by and health/wealth inequali- 1700 accounted for 24.4% respectively, together 18 investment, grew fastest. good jobs and fair distribu- ties, all exposed brutally by of world GDP (Maddison, times larger. Japan was al- Initially, income distribution, particularly in the face the pandemic. 2007) and by Independ- ready a developed country tion improved, but in recent of growing protectionism, How a new generation ence in 1947, her share was with 7.0% of world GDP. years, income and wealth and decoupling in technol- of Asian leaders heal these down to only 4.2% in 1950. By 2018, Developing Asia’s inequalities have widened. ogy and supply chains. social wounds and move Of course, the British left share increased six times Furthermore, climate Asia’s growth must be in forward without fragmenta- behind the English lan- to 24.0%, on par with EU change issues in terms of cooperation with the West, tion and fighting will be the guage, the rule of law and (23.2%) and USA (23.9%). weather change, impact on socially, commercially and true test of Asia’s maturity in a durable administrative This means that including water, food and increasing technologically. But the the next 60 year cycle. structure that is still being Japan, Asia accounted for natural disasters, are rising greatest risks are the neo- practiced in many former 31.5% of world GDP. The in the social agenda. The con hawks in the West who Andrew Sheng colonies. global GDP shares for Latin geopolitical temperature has are willing to risk war to Asia News Network We should also be grate- America, Middle East, Af- also risen with the West feel- disrupt Asia’s rise. ful that decolonization rica and rest of the world (shedding of empire by were essentially unchanged the European powers) was in the last half century. encouraged by the post-war In other words, the loss American administration, in share of world GDP by which basically did not Europe and the US between want any challenges to her 1960-2018 was largely Tender noTice dominant status, British gained by Developing Asia, cousins or not. The result of which China was in its MinisTry of Labour and HuMan resource was that Hong Kong was the own class. China’s GDP MoLHR/PRO-02/2020-2021 /241 last of the colonies to lose grew 84 times over this her status in 1997. Con- period, whereas the other The Ministry of Labour and Human Resource, DoEHR, Entrepreneurship & Self sidering that some Hong three Asian dragons, South Employment Division would like to invite bids from eligible bidders, frms and Kongers are still waving the Korea, Taiwan and Singa- insttutons for supply for submission of proposal of detailed project reports Union Jack, colonial nostal- pore grew between 55 to 58 (DPRs) via www.egp.gov.bt (Tender ID. No. 5737) gia has not lost all its fans. times. By comparison, over What matters is what the same period, OECD For further clarifcaton contact Program coordinator, Mr. Langa dorji at 975- the newly independent countries, including Japan 17117755 during the ofce hours. countries achieved with and Australia, basically Director, Directorate Services their sovereignty. Singa- grew 8 times. Malaysia is pore is the exemplar that in the upper pack, having pulled herself into the grown by 35 times. ranks of advanced income The secrets for Asia’s Tender noTice status by sheer grit and de- successful transformation termination, having almost deserve repeating. Dur- MinisTry of Labour and HuMan resource no natural resources. My- ing this period, there was MoLHR/PRO-02/2020-2021 anmar, on the other hand, peace and general political was richly endowed with stability, with Asian gov- Ministry of Labour and Human Resource, DTE, OSD4CS would like to invite bids natural resources and had ernments being fiscally from eligible bidders for supply of E-learning materials and plumbing training one of the best educated prudent and willing to in- materials for dual training programs via www.egp.gov.bt (Tender id. no. 5659) elites at independence in vest in infrastructure and 1948. Ruled mostly by the people. Asia did not follow For further clarifcaton contact the Procurement Ofcer at 975-17691697 during military junta, her growth the “import substitution” the ofce hours. has been stunted relative to model adopted in Latin Directorate Services her neighbours. America but adopted the ADVERTISEMENT Saturday, September 12, 2020 | KUENSEL PAGE 9

vaCaNCY aNNouNCeMeNT CoNsTruCTioN develoPMeNT Board, THiMPHu CDB-04/2020-2021/83 Constructon Development Board is pleased to announce the vacancies for following post as detailed below. Sl.# Positon ttle Positon level Slots Minimum qualifcaton Place of postng remarks 1 Program Ofcer P4 1 Bachelors CDB Lateral Transfer 2 Night Guard ESP 1 NA/Ex-Army (Preferable) CDB New Appointment Applicaton along with curriculum vitae and IWP of last two years (2017-2018 & 2018-2019) must reach the HR Secton on or before September 25, 2020. For eligibility criteria and documents required may be referred secton 14.5 and chapter 6 respectvely of BCSR 2018 from the website www. rcsc.gov.bt. Candidates with relevant qualifcaton and work experience shall be given preference for the purpose of shortlistng. For further informaton, please contact HR Secton at 326035/326034. Director vaCaNCY aNNouNCeMeNT BHuTaN Power CorPoraTioN liMiTed (Registered Ofce, Thimphu) HuMaN resourCe & CorPoraTe serviCes HuMaN resourCes & adMiNisTraTioN deParTMeNT, THiMPHu BPC/HRA/HRMD-01/2020/15604 Bhutan Power Corporaton Limited is pleased to invite applicatons from the interested & eligible Bhutanese citzens who are 18 years and above for the following positons: Sl.# Post Grade Minimum Qualifcaton Slots BE or BTech (Electrical / Electrical & Electronics) with Minimum of 60% in Degree 1 Electrical Engineer B1 6 & Minimum of 60% in Class X + XII (Average) Electronics & BE or BTech (Electronics & Communicaton) with Minimum of 60% in Degree & 2 B1 3 Communicaton Engineer Minimum of 60% in Class X + XII (Average) BBA/B.Com/BA(Accountng) with Minimum of 60% in Degree & Minimum of 60% 3 Assistant Finance Ofcer B3/B2 3 in Class X + XII (Average) 4 Dirver (Light Vehicle) D4 1. Class VIII Passed ( Formal Schooling) 7 2. Has Minimum of 2 years Valid Driving License 5 Driver (Medium Vehicle) D4 3. Age Limit: 18 – 45 years 3 For details, please visit our website www.bpc.bt Director

NoTiCe iNviTiNG TeNder RE- NOTICE INVITING TENDER MiNisTrY oF aGriCulTure aNd ForesTs KueNsel CorPoraTioN liMiTed deParTMeNT oF aGriCulTure KCL/O & HRM-29/2020/ Food seCuriTY aNd aGriCulTure ProduCTiviTY Sealed quotatons are invited from the eligible ProJeCT Scrap Dealers with valid trade license for lifing of of-cut papers, Printed/unsold newspaper/ ProJeCT MaNaGeMeNT uNiT trimming papers and used plates (Aluminum DoA/FSAPP/03/2020-2021/895 sheet) rejected from the Printng Department of Project Management Unit, Food Security and Agriculture Productvity Project, KUENSEL Corporaton Limited, Thimphu. Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture and Forest is pleased to Nu. 300/- Cost of Tender Form advertse the tender for supply of 19 laptops and 1 photocopy machine. (non refundable) Tender documents can be downloaded from the website www.moaf.gov.bt from Last date of September 30, 2020 September 12, 2020 onwards. submission before 2 PM The last date for the submission of the tender is October 1, 2020 on or before Tender Opening Date September 30, 2020 10:30 aM and will be opened on the same day at 11:00 AM. Tender opening Time 3 PM For any clarifcaton, please can at 17271214 during ofce hours. The tender documents with detailed terms and Project Director conditon may be purchased from the Procurement Division on any working days from 14th September, To adverTise iN KueNsel: 2020 tll noon of 30th September, 2020. e-mail us at: [email protected] Management ADVERTISEMENT PAGE 10 Saturday, September 12, 2020 | KUENSEL

vaCaNCY aNNouNCeMeNT druK HoldiNG aNd iNvesTMeNTs liMiTed DHI/HRA/4/2020/482 Druk Holding and Investments Ltd. invites applicatons from eligible candidates interested in taking up the following positons at DHI: Positon Slot Eligibility Criteria Must have Master’s degree in related felds and Bachelor’s degree in Electrical with a min. of 5 years of relevant work experience (if applying for Sr. Analyst positon). Senior Analyst/Analyst (Electrical), 1 Projects, InnoTech Dept. If applying for Analyst positon, candidates must have Bachelor’s degree in Electrical with a min. of 5 years of relevant work experience. Min. of 3 years of relevant work experience if the applicant has Maters degree. Must have Master’s degree in related felds and Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related felds with a min. of 5 years of relevant work experience (if applying for Sr. Analyst Senior Analyst/Analyst (System), positon). 1 Projects, InnoTech Dept. If applying for Analyst positon, candidates must have Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related felds with a min. of 5 years of relevant work experience. Min. of 3 years of relevant work experience if the applicant has Maters degree. Must have Master’s degree in related felds and Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related felds with a min. of 5 years of relevant work experience (if applying for Sr. Analyst Senior Analyst/Analyst (Network), positon). 1 Projects, InnoTech Dept. If applying for Analyst positon, candidates must have Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related felds with a min. of 5 years of relevant work experience. Min. of 3 years of relevant work experience if the applicant has Maters degree. Must have Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Electrical/ Electronics/Communicaton/Computer Analyst, DRIVE, InnoTech Dept. 1 science). Min. of 5 years of relevant work experience. Min. of 3 years of relevant work experience if the applicant has Maters degree. Must have Master’s degree in related felds and Bachelor’s degree in IT/Computer Science or related felds (preferably with focus on network engineering) with a min. of 5 years of Senior Manager/Manager relevant work experience (if applying for Sr. Manager positon). (Network Administrator), NDI, 1 If applying for Manager positon, candidates must have Bachelor’s degree in IT/Computer InnoTech Dept. Science or related felds (preferably with focus on network engineering) with a min. of 5 years of relevant work experience. Min. of 3 years of relevant work experience if the applicant has Maters degree. Must have Master’s degree in related felds and Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related felds with a min. of 5 years of relevant work experience (if applying for Sr. Manager Senior Manager (DevSecOps), NDI, positon). 1 InnoTech Dept. If applying for Manager positon, candidates must have Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related felds with a min. of 5 years of relevant work experience. Min. of 3 years of relevant work experience if the applicant has Maters degree. Must have Master’s degree in related felds and Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science/ Senior Manager (Informaton 1 Informaton Security/Business Informaton Services or related felds with a min. of 5 years of Security), NDI, InnoTech Dept. relevant work experience. Senior Manager (Product Must have Master’s degree in related feld and Bachelor’s degree in Economics/Business 1 Management), NDI, InnoTech Dept. Management/Engineering or related felds with a min. of 5 years of relevant work experience. Must have Bachelor’s degree in Commerce, Marketng, Advertsing, Communicaton, Finance Manager (Communicaton), NDI, 1 or related felds with a min. of 5 years of relevant work experience. Min. of 3 years of relevant InnoTech Dept. work experience if the applicant has Maters degree. Must have Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design or related felds with a min. of 5 years of Manager (Graphic Design), NDI, 1 relevant work experience. Min. of 3 years of relevant work experience if the applicant has InnoTech Dept. Maters degree. Must have Bachelor’s degree in IT/Computer Science or related felds (preferably with focus Manager (System Administrator), 2 on network engineering) with a min. of 5 years of relevant work experience. Min. of 3 years of NDI, InnoTech Dept. relevant work experience if the applicant has Maters degree. 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 September 30, 2020: 1. DHI applicaton form 2. Curriculum Vitae 3. Copy of Degree certfcates/Academic transcripts 4. Copy of Citzenship ID Card 5. Security Clearance Certfcate (approved online) 6. Medical Fitness Certfcate 7. 2 referrals/recommendaton leters from non-family related referees. For further informaton, please contact Head of HR & Admin., DHI at Telephone No. 336917, or [email protected]. Associate Director, CSD ADVERTISEMENT Saturday, September 12, 2020 | KUENSEL PAGE 11

NoTiCe iNviTiNG TeNder iNviTaTioN For Bids BHuTaN Power CorPoraTioN liMiTed BHuTaN Power CorPoraTioN (Registered Ofce, Thimphu) liMiTed disTriBuTioN serviCes (Registered Ofce, Thimphu) disTriBuTioN CoNsTruCTioN deParTMeNT ProCureMeNT serviCes eleCTriFiCaTioN divisioN, THiMPHu deParTMeNT, THiMPHu

BPC/DS/DCD/ED/PW/C-02/396 Tender No.: BPC/PSD/Diary/Calendar/Pen/ 2020/11 Electrifcaton Division (ED), Distributon Constructon Department (DCD), 21/BPC/PSD/NIT/336 Distributon Services (DS), Bhutan Power Corporaton Limited (BPC), Thimphu 1. The Procurement Services Department invites invites sealed bids from small class category Bhutanese Contractor with W4 eligible bidders to submit e-bids through (Power & Telecommunicaton Works) valid trade license & registered with the e-procurement system (www.tender.bt) for Constructon Development Board (CDB) for the constructon and completon of the supply and delivery of Calendars (Wall and Electricity Distributon Infrastructure (hereinafer referred to as “Labour contract Table), Diary and Pen. for planned works”. 2. Interested eligible bidders may kindly visit the 1. BPC/DS/DCD/ED/PW/C-02 website www.tender.bt for vendor registraton 1 Bid No. & date 2. BPC/DS/DCD/ED/2020/DW-01dated and to submit the bid online. The user manual September 11, 2020. for vendor registraton and bidding process is 1. Labour Contract for Planned Works in available on the website www.tender.bt. Bumthang, Chukha, Dagana and Tsirang, 3. Bidders must submit the bid online from the Paro, Gasa and Punakha, Samdrup Jongkhar, website www.tender.bt before 10:30 hours on Samtse, Sarpang and Thimphu Dzongkhags. 1st October 2020 and will be opened at 11: 00 2 Bid Descripton hours on the same day. 2. Constructon of 11kV line (ACSR Rabbit), 16 4. Bidders must submit the Bid Security in the kVA substaton & LV ABC line for Department original form to BPC, PSD, Head Ofce, Thimphu of Air Transport at Chelela. or RSD, Phuentsholing on September 30, 2020 (As indicated in the detailed bidding document) before the submission of bid online. 3 Bid details The Bid Security should be in favor of Director, a) Cost of bid document Nu. 1,000.00 (Non-refundable) FAS, BPC, Thimphu and the amount detail can be ED, DCD, DS, BPC, Chubachu, Thimphu obtained from the website. b) Place of sale (address) (Telephone no. +975-2-321846; Fax no. +975-2- 5. PSD, BPC shall not be responsible for any costs or 321847) expenses incurred by bidders in connecton with the preparaton or submission of bids online c) Site visit date (As indicated in the detailed bidding document) (General Manager) d) Start date of sale September 14, 2020 e) Last date of sale October 12, 2020 (on or before 17:00 hrs.) Last date for NoTiCe iNviTiNG TeNder f) October 13, 2020 (on or before 13:00 hours) submission of bids roYal TexTile aCadeMY oF g) Opening of bids October 13, 2020 (14:30 hours) BHuTaN Venue of opening of Electrifcaton Division Conference Hall, h) The Royal Textle Academy is interested to produce bids Chubachu, Thimphu short videos on producton of various Bhutanese i) Estmated cost As indicated in the detailed bidding document textle pieces. As such the RTA would like to invite j) Bid Security As indicated in the detailed bidding document interested licensed audio-visual related frms to The bidding document can be purchased by any interested eligible bidders on submit their quotes. the submission of writen applicaton together with valid license to the above The ToR can be collected from our ofce at address. Bidding documents can also be downloaded from the BPC’s website Chubachu, Thimphu on or before September 21, www.bpc.bt. 2020. The bidder who have downloaded the bid document and wish to partcipate For further details, please call Deputy Director, should register with ED, DCD, DS, BPC, Thimphu prior to the closing of bid sale Weaving Department at 336460/121 during ofce date. hours or email to [email protected] Senior Manager Executve Director DZONGKHAG PAGE 12 Saturday, September 12, 2020 | KUENSEL Flying solo Phub Dem | Paro was at peace during the journey.” This does not happen often. The two airlines have Kinley Yangden was the lone drastically cut their sched- passenger on a Druk Air cargo ule flights. Repatriation and flight. cargo flights are almost always The grade 12 student of empty. United World College South Kinley Yangden is a schol- East Asia, Singapore was arship student funded by the returning to her school on Youth Development Fund. She Wednesday. won the Golden Youth Award Days before her flight to in 2018. Singapore, Kinley Yangden She had to return home was worried about possible towards late March with the crowding at the airport and outbreak of the Covid-19 in the the plane. But then, she was region. With words doing the told that she was the only pas- round that it was the last flight senger on the plane because of from Singapore, she rushed to Kinley Yangden, a solo traveller to Singapore the pandemic. book her flight home. said that she was engaged in joining the classes virtually, she be able to go back, she has to Airports have become “Being the youngest, my remote learning due to the said that she had a hard time complete her two-week quar- risky due to Covid-19. family worried about me as lockdown in Singapore. catching up with the syllabus. antine. “Hopefully, I will be Kinley Yangden said that the Covid-19 cases were on She said that her classmates “I missed most of my practical able to catch up. I am relaxed it was fun travelling alone on the rise daily,” she said. returned to school after the va- classes for the final exam.” and happy, as I am back to my the whole plane. “When I was After four months, her cation. With only a few students Although it was a relief to school.” getting on the plane, I felt like school resumed on August I own the plane.” 18. However, with no flight And she felt safe. to Singapore and delay in the She added that the crew approval letter from the Singa- VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT checked on her occasionally, porean government, she has making her solo flight com- missed her classes for almost TASHI INFOCOMM LIMITED fortable. “I was able to do my a month. work and enjoy the scenery. I Until summer break, she Tashi Infocomm Limited is pleased to announce the following vacancy; Designation Slot Qualifcation Class X Pass Result Contact Center Class XII Pass Result (Minimum 50% in English and Mass surveillance 01 Executive Dzongkha) begins in S’jongkhar Age: 19-25 For more details visit our website at www.tashicell.com. Kelzang Wangchuk | The dzongdag said that For further information, contact the Human Resource Offcer at telephone number Samdrupjongkhar two members - an elderly 77874833/ 77889977- Ext. No. 8822 & 8840 during offce hours (9:00am- and the one who goes out 5:30pm). Eight teams of health officials from every household would began collecting swab sam- be tested for Covid-19. ples yesterday in Samdrup- “It is also to assess the risk jongkhar thromde as part of of community transmission in the mass surveillance. the thromde.” TIME EXTENSION NOTICE The teams were deployed “The results would be in the four zones in the reported to the govern- BHUTAN POWER CORPORATION LIMITED thromde and started collect- ment, and the relaxation or (Registered Offce, Thimphu) ing samples from the lower unlocking would be carried town yesterday. The teams out as per the government’s DISTRIBUTION & CUSTOMER SERVICES collected about 1,343 samples order,” Tharchin Lhuendup DEPARTMENT yesterday. said, adding that they would The swab samples collect- also conduct the test at De- ELECTRICITY SERVICES DIVISION, BUMTHANG ed from two members of every wathang town. BPC/ESD-BUM/W-10/2020/213 household would be sent for A resident, Khandu said the RT-PCR test to Covid-19 that they were worried after As per our previous letter no. No.BPC/ESD-BUM/W-10/2020/187 on publishing testing centre at Dewathang an 18-year-old tested posi- of NIT on kuensel dated July 22, 2020. hospital. tive because the source was The last date for the submission of tender documents was August 21, 2020 and due The incident commander unknown. to the nationwide lockdown amid covid-19 pandemic the deadline had to be differed. (IC) and Samdrupjongkhar She said that the con- The revised date line for submission of the documents to the offce is extended as dzongdag, Tharchin Lhuen- cerned agencies should dup, said they are conducting restrict Indian trucks into furnished below. the test to every household Samdrupjongkhar ferrying Extended date time Date and time of Tender no. because it was unknown how grocery items during such to bid submission bid opening the index case, the 18-year- situations. No.1/BPC/ESD/BUM/ 25/9/2020 25/09/2020 old woman who tested posi- “But we are happy as there 1 tive on September 7, con- is no local transmission. We 2020/VOL-1(Tender-01) (10:30 Hours, AM) (15:00 hours) tracted the virus. also hope that all the results Chief Division Manager “She also does not have would be negative,” Khandu travel history.” said. HOME Saturday, September 12, 2020| KUENSEL PAGE 13 MOE launches Kadrinchhe Gyalyon Bangsum Tag line: A nation in gratitude and solidarity initiative by the education family Yangyel Lhaden tude, resilience, responsibility, volunteerism, solidarity Ministry of Education (MoE) and unity. launched Karinchhe Gyalyon Awareness about the ini- Bangsum (KGB), an online tiative was made to the public platform on September 8, on Spetember 3 through vari- coinciding with International ous social media platforms Literacy Day to thank and through posters and videos. motivate the nation in its In first two days, KGB re- continued efforts to combat ceived more than 100 entries. the pandemic. The entries can be send It is a month programme to their “Drukyul Education initiated by the education Family- group” on Facebook family and organised by a or email to kadrinche2020@ group of teachers. gmail.com. The poster of KGB says One of the entries; a poem that everybody worked hard, by Gem Dorji Lepcha, student The King, prime minister, of Samtse Lower Secondary health ministry, education School reads: ministry, organisations, private entities, frontliners from My heart sings for De-Suups, An initiative to thank and motivate the nation in its efforts to combat Covid-19 day one of the pandemic. police and my King. KGB is a platform where Thank you frontline worker A teacher of Lobesa Pri- In the opening state- ity, sacrifice and openness anybody can send their write- for working day and night mary School, Sonam Norbu, ment of the launch, educa- the new Bhutanese normal. ups and messages in various You all are fighters said that with this initiative tion minister, Jai Bir Rai said, While normal times gave us genres—poetry, essay, sto- You all are warriors the team planned to engage “Adversity reveals character glimpses differences in posi- ries, art, photography, songs, I am thankful to doctors individuals meaningfully by - 2020 revealed the character tion, gender and background, personalised cards, and short For saving the life creating theme wise projects of the Bhutanese as a Nation. the new normal gave poetry of videos. The themes of expres- You are the protector and to motivate creative con- The audacity to challenge a hope, compassion and equa- sions are opportunities, grati- And you sacrifice your time tent creation by children. global pandemic with solidar- nimity.” Energy diversification for a energy secure Bhutan Choki Wangmo be met from other renew- dropower plants, the current of 12,000MW of solar energy small hydro power but in the able energy sources while plants are run-of-river, with but only 170KW are installed future the department plans to During the nationwide lock- hydropower electricity can be no water storage, therefore re- for home lighting systems, enhance value of the per unit down last month, a power out- primarily targeted for export. duction in output during lean 761MW of wind energy out of energy by deploying energy ef- age in central and western parts Thus, energy security would season. which 600KW are installed. ficiency initiatives in net energy of the country lasted for about be ensured to a larger extent.” Annually Bhutan earned Similarly, out of 2,680MW bio- savings, freeing more electricity an hour. While both 220KV at Diversification of energy Nu 10.5B from the export of energy capacity, 6,000 number for export. Chukha and Basochhu were can also complement hy- electricity from which only Nu of domestic biogas plants were Phuntsho Namgyel said that restored, some said it came as a dropower plants in making 1.283B of the revenue remained installed. Only 8MW of the total with renewable energy tech- warning for being too depend- electricity available during after deducting the cost of im- 23,292MW capacity for small nologies getting cheaper each ent on hydropower. the lean winter season when port of electricity and fossil fuel, hydro is used. year, it was critical for Bhutan Unlike hydropower sys- hydropower generation is including LPG. The transition to renewable to diversify the energy mix by tems, other forms of renewable minimum, he added. Diversification, Phuntsho energy, however, is not without harnessing the energy from energy like solar, wind, bio- The renewables readiness Namgyel said, could enhance challenges. Lack of or appropri- alternative renewables and its energy, and small hydro have assessment for Bhutan 2019 energy sales by displacing ate incentives for harnessing benefits. “Solid waste related is- decentralised systems which conducted by the International power from hydropower plants, alternative renewable energy sues are on the rise in our coun- are less complex and more Renewable Energy Agency, also augmenting the country’s rev- sources, poor eco-system for try. It may be prudent to assess reliable. A breakdown in one recommended diversified en- enue from electricity. “Solar green and renewable technol- and explore opportunities to grid doesn’t affect the entire ergy system in the country that and bio-energy can be used ogy, lack of experts, and lack reg- turn waste into energy in the network, avoiding a systematic constitutes several renewable for heating systems, and other ulatory and policy frameworks form of biogas or electricity.” power outage, said the director energy technologies that can domestic use if harnessed ef- among others have impeded the The Bhutan Ecological of renewable energy depart- be more resilient to the impacts fectively.” diversification goals, he said. Society and renewable energy ment, Phuntsho Namgyel. of climate change. “Bhutan’s As per the Renewable Currently, Bhutan is 99.97 department last month signed Considering threats to dependency on hydropower Energy Management Master percent electrified. Due to rug- a memorandum of understand- the hydropower sector from to meet its electricity demand Plan, Bhutan could produce ged topography and hindrance ing to implement renewable climate change impacts and could make the country vul- 12 gigawatts of solar and 760 in obtaining environmental ac- energy projects in the commu- other associated issues in nerable to long-term climate megawatts (MW) of wind en- cess rights, Lunana and communities where grid electricity is hydropower development, change impacts, thereby rais- ergy in technical terms. Yet nities around Ajay Nye are yet to infeasible. he said harnessing energy ing energy security concerns.” the country’s current installed be connected to grid electricity. In the next nine months, from other renewable sources Although about 30 per- capacity for renewables, apart As of now, renewable en- there would be 180-kW solar would enhance energy secu- cent of the country’s energy from large hydro plants, only ergy has developed and piloted power plant along with the rity of the nation. “Domestic consumption today is met amounts to 9MW. renewable energy technologies 600KW wind farm at Rubesa in demand for electricity can through electricity, mainly hy- Bhutan has a potential such as solar, wind, biogas and Wangdue. HOME PAGE 14 Saturday, September 12, 2020 | KUENSEL Tracing the contacts: A look into how the National Surveillance Team works Yangchen C Rinzin The team gives them time to relax and compose themselves Please tell us honestly, where after the news is broke. Some have you been last week? hang up the phone upon hear- Can you remember the places ing the news, most usually call and people you met? back or cooperate when follow Did you travel by taxi or bus? up calls were made. In a few There is a barrage of ques- cases, people called the centre tions as information becomes to share information . crucial when somebody test There are counsellors positive for Covid-19. With key with the team and counsel- information, the spread of the ling is provided when neces- virus could be curtailed as they sary. “Getting in touch with are traced, quarantined and primary contact is not difficult. tested. However, it is difficult when Behind this crucial task of their phone numbers are out tracing contacts are 41 officials All 20 dzongkhags have a surveillance team with health workers, officials from drug of reach,” said an official. called as the Covid-19 Surveil- regulatory department, and Bhutan Medical and Health Council In some of the recent local lance Team that was formed transmission cases, it took al- in March soon after the first Understanding the risk, a work together. Like many, we biggest challenge in tracing is most three days to locate the positive case in the country National Surveillance team with also do not go home.” the lack of proper address and person who tested positive. This was detected. The team trace experts from the Bhutan Nar- Involving the police in the phone numbers not working or is where RBP and BRCS and the people that a positive case cotics Control Authority, Bhu- tracing team, officials said, had answering. A few positive indi- taxi drivers, members of BRCS, may have come in contact with tan Red Cross Society (BRCS), been a masterstroke in tracing viduals didn’t want to provide a came handy. two weeks before the onset of KGUMBS, Royal Bhutan Army, contacts. Some primary con- full history of travel and people The smallness of the coun- symptoms and during the du- and Royal Bhutan Police (RBP) tacts of the first case in Gelephu they came in contact with.” try has also helped contact ration of the illness. They also was formed. Based in Lungten- could be traced only after in- tracing. “Because our commu- investigate the source, contain phug, it is also the command volving the police. Safety first nity is small, people know about and prevent future outbreaks, centre for all the local teams. “The police have been help- As a safety precaution, the positive patients and they call monitor situations, advise test- The team now has 41 mem- ful from the beginning, especial- team’s first work is to ensure us, sometimes requesting us to ing and quarantine, liaise with bers. ly in tracing contacts, and their they do not come in direct quarantine them,” said a team other institutions to arrange As of September 1 more presence has made it easier for contact with any cases. All the member. testing and quarantine of sus- than 1,333 primary contacts and coordination and active contact discussions with the positive or Not all contacts are con- pected cases. more than 976 secondary con- tracing,” he said. suspected case happen over the sidered as a risk. The people at tacts were traced concerning the The team also works closely phone. In few cases, the team higher risk of infection are usu- The team outbreak in Phuentsholing and with the local team to build a provided SIM cards to those ally those who had face-face Started with seven members in the two cases in Gelephu. case history by talking to the without phone numbers. contact with a positive case for March, it became 17 members Officials from the team said person who tested positive, After they receive informa- more than 15 minutes. Others in April and merged with the the additional members have which helps in finding the likely tion about a positive case, a include having physical con- surveillance and quarantine been helpful, as the transmis- source of exposure and number member calls up the individual tact with the positive patient team in July, which became sion in Phuentsholing increased of people the infected person and explains their test result. A and having unprotected direct 20. Each dzongkhag has a the workload. might have come in contact hard part is sharing the news of contact like being coughed on. surveillance team with health Divided into two shifts, the with. their result. “It is difficult but we Low-risk contracts are usu- workers, officials of the drug team starts work by 8:45am and “People are cooperative, but have to let them know so that ally those who had face-face regulatory department and goes until 10pm. “However, if there have been cases where contact tracing is executed as contacts or were together in Bhutan Medical and Health the situation demands, both some became abusive on the soon as possible,” said a team a closed environment for less Council. teams come to the office and phone,” an official said. “The member. than 15 minutes. Assaulted Bhutanese man not pursuing court option Yeshey Lhadon him to pursue legal action to process his thoughts to make land. Our culture and our way made by the abuser went viral. against the abusive customer. an official complaint against of dealing with people are dif- Karma said he couldn’t work A Bhutanese, food delivery The customer sprayed him the person. ferent. I’m scared of the impact for Menulog since then. driver who was abused in with a garden hose and be- He said, “I am flooded my decision will have on my “I am petrified. I won’t be Perth earlier this month by a rated him for delaying his KFC with advice, moral support family and the nation. My de- able to work as a delivery driver customer, said he is not going chicken dinner which was a and warmth after the mishap. cision shouldn’t affect anyone.” anytime soon.” to sue the abuser. result of a technical problem I’m discussing it with my fam- Karma called the incident The incident left Karma Karma Thinley wrote: in the Menulog food delivery ily too.” bad luck. That night after the and his family mentally stirred “Please try to understand him app on September 2. The victim hasn’t lodged incident, he cried all the way up, “a wound that would take a from a father’s point of view. The ex-partner of the abus- any complaints with the police home. He composed himself to long time to heal and one that He is a father of two and he is er, a mother of two, wanted to so far. look normal when he reached would leave a deep scar”. important in their lives.” extend her help to Karma Thin- It has just been nine home. Karma Thinley said that he He left this note to Go- ley with evidence against his months for Karma’s family liv- “I wanted to keep it a secret almost got into a car accident FundMe donors saying that assailant if he decides to sue ing in Perth. He said that he from my family. I was demor- once after the incident. “I took he wouldn’t press any charges him. doesn’t know much about Aus- alised. However, as the head of some days off from my job and against his abuser. However, Karma Thinley tralian laws and procedures. the family, I must be strong.” I also need to visit a psycho- Most people encouraged said that he needs more time “It is risky. We are in their The video on the incident therapist.” HOME Saturday, September 12, 2020| KUENSEL PAGE 15 Phuentsholing emerges out of lockdown Rajesh Rai | Phuentsholing seeing people in the town was amazing. As Phuentsholing entered the “I felt like I was out of a second phase of lockdown cage,” he said. relaxation yesterday, more He said that people were residents were on the streets. following the Covid-19 safety Many had come out to protocol. buy essentials, while some “I am a bit scared but came out to jog, and others if we strictly follow the dos to take a look around town. and don’ts, I think we will be As per the Southern safe,” he said. Covid-19 Task Force, fami- Vipul Tiwari of Suresh lies were allowed to move, Hardware said a few people without movement permits, had visited his shop yester- across the zones, starting day. yesterday. “They have come to Residents can move until buy small items, especially 7pm. bulbs,” he said. “It’s good to Designated shops and see people around.” restaurants (for takeaways The first relaxation phase only) were also allowed to in Phuentsholing started be- open. In addition to earlier tween September 8 and Sep- identified essential shops to tember 10. Only one member Phuentsholing town yesterday cater to the people during the from a family was allowed lockdown, hardware shops to move with a movement of the safety measures.” there are also residents who that people don’t realise and automobile workshops permit within the zone for a Another resident said are not yet ready to come out. that lockdown would return were also allowed to open. specified time. although people had their A resident, Sonam Tsh- if there is no change in be- Meanwhile, there are “Most people are coming masks on, physical distanc- ewang said that the lockdown haviour. mixed feelings among the to buy essentials,” a resident ing could be a problem. should continue for another “Many say coronavirus is residents in the bordering said. “Despite many maintain- week and the card system just like a cough but we must town. “It’s good to see that eve- ing the distance, there were should continue. not take it lightly. We must re- A restaurant owner, Josh- ryone came out wearing a few who didn’t,” he said. “We are still in the red member that last year we lost ua Baraily, who didn’t open mask. Police and De-Suups Meanwhile, with four zone and there are active six people to dengue. Covid- his shop yesterday said the were everywhere in the town positive cases reported on positive cases,” he said. 19 is far more dangerous and feeling of coming out and to monitor and remind them the night of September 10, Sonam Tshewang said can spread very fast,” he said. Beer on the way Yeshey Lhadon Senior manager of BBPL, Those agents who have made Kinley Dorji, said that beer their payment before lock- Beer lovers should see their will be dispatched in a few down would get their stocks stock replenished soon. days. The company will only first. There is a shortage of locally produce bottled beer due to Many liquor agents in produced beer, especially the limited manpower. “We can’t Thimphu ran out of beer. Druk 11000 and Druk Lagar. meet the demand,” he said. Khem Raj Chhetri, a liquor Bhutan Brewery Private BBPL in normal times vendor in Thimphu sold the Limited (BBPL), that brews dispatched between 20 and last stock of Druk 11000 and Lagar and 11000 resumed 25 truckloads of beer a day. Lager beer two weeks ago. production since yesterday “It would be great even if we He normally sells at least 40 with less than 50 percent of could dispatch eight truck- cases of beers every day. “I their critical employees who loads of beer at such a time,” think I could sell a truckload are now camped at the fac- said the manager. of beer in a day given the de- tory. The brewery remained BDBL used to produce mand,” he said. shut since the government 11,000 cases of beer with Another liquor dealer, announced a lockdown on more than 400 employees Wangmo, finished her beer August 11. everyday. The senior man- stock during the lockdown. The factory didn’t have ager said that they could only She delivered beer to con- domestic stock to meet the produce between 2,000 and sumers at home during the demand of consumers during 3,000 cases with less than 100 lockdown. “We sell more lockdown. Most of BBPL’s crit- people. beers compared to hard ical employees were locked in The beers will be dis- drinks,” she said. She depos- as they were in the red zone tributed according to token ited Nu 3 million to procure area, Phuentsholing. numbers of the liquor agents. beer from Pasakha. HOME PAGE 16 Saturday, September 12, 2020 | KUENSEL More than 800 frontline workers tested for Covid-19 in Gelephu Nima | Gelephu inpatient area as a completely safe zone. All patients, staff, Gelephu Central Regional Re- and attendants deployed in- ferral Hospital (CRRH) started side tested negative for Covid- to test both patients and at- 19,” said Dorji Tshering. “We tendants for Covid-19 since want to maintain that.” Gelephu detected positive Rinxin Jamtsho, chief case from a frontline worker programme officer, with the in August. communicable disease divi- This is to ensure health of- sion who is also a member of ficials are not exposed to the the technical advisory group infection while at work. (TAG), said that frontline The surveillance team workers were vulnerable to from CRRH also tested over infection with exports and 800 frontline staff, including import trades going on. health workers, De-Suups, “The cases in India are on police, and the Royal Bhutan the rise and there is a need to Army soldiers. strengthen safety measures at The health officials come the workplace of the frontline More than 70 frontline workers tested negative so far in contact with the people staff,” he said. “During our last month in Gelephu did not workers who tested for Covid- on daily basis, even during preliminary assessment, the line worker and another was infected anyone who came in 19 this week came negative. lockdown, at the hospital. use of safety gear was not so placed under facility quarantine. contact with the index case. The test result of the 117 police The health officials providing appreciable.” Officials from the techni- More than 70 frontline officials is expected today. mobile clinic services come in He added that the safety cal advisory group and a sur- contact with the community measures at the containment veillance team from CRRH daily. centres, workplace of the es- said that both cases detected Medical superintendent of sential services providers, or outside the facility quarantine TOMORROW CRRH, Dorji Tshering, said the frontline workers should be had not caused community safety measures were in place strengthened. “The risk of im- transmission. Good Day as per the directive provided porting disease is high if we Health minister, Dechen by the ministry of health. are complacent.” Wangmo, yesterday highlight- Health officials are sepa- Gelephu would be lifting ed the need to follow the safety Bad Day rated into high and low risk lockdown phase-wise from protocols strictly and to prac- groups and interaction among today after remaining under tice social distancing during them is not entertained so that complete lockdown for over a press briefing in Thimphu. A good day for rituals (laza): they are not exposed to the in- 30 days. Strict compliance to safety those born in the dog year. fection while at work. The positive cases detected protocols by the frontline Generally a good day (sogza): “We are considering the from the town were from a front- worker who tested positive those born in the sheep year.

SEPTEMBER 14, MONDAY Good Day Fuel sales drop during lockdown Yeshey Lhadon sumption reduced by 84.5 each delivery agent. However, Bad Day percent, the sale of subsidised DoT issued 30 cylinders to gas Bhutan saved Nu 3.29 million liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) delivery service providers to A good day for rituals (laza): (M) on petrol, Nu 13.3M on fell by 2.6 percent. ensure uninterrupted supply. those born in the snake and horse years. diesel, Nu 0.10M on kerosene On the contrary, the sale of Bhutan Oil Distributions Generally a good day (sogza): and Nu 0.02M on subsidised non-subsidised LPG increased (BOD) depot at Lungtenzam- those born in the rat and pig years. LPG during the 21-day nation- by 40.3 percent during the pa in Thimphu, which is one A bad day (shedza): wide lockdown as a result of Covid-19 lockdown. of the busiest fuel stations and those born in the monkey and rooster the vehicular movement re- The average daily sale of manned by 29 employees, usu- years. strictions. petrol reduced by about 71KL, ally sells an average of 11KL of The mobility restriction on diesel by 289KL, kerosene by petrol and 15KL of diesel daily. vehicles during the lockdown led 4.7KL and subsidised LPG by The BOD manager, Thuk- Time of issue: 4:00 PM, to a sharp fall in the consump- 32 numbers. The non-subsi- ten Norbu said that the fuel SUNRISE : 5:45 am | SUNSET : 6:12 pm 11 September 2020 tion of petroleum products. dised LPG rose by 179 num- station couldn’t sell more than Fuel stations nationwide bers during the lockdown. 2KL of petrol and 4KL of diesel sold 382 kilolitres(KL) of Pet- A program analyst with a day during the lockdown. rol (MS), 1,116.98KL of diesel Department of Trade (DoT), The depot sold about Gasa Trongsa Bumthang Sarpang Phuentsholing (HSD), 17.91KL of kerosene Tshering, said that the POL 61KL of petrol and 83KL of (SKO), 26,189 numbers of sub- section expected to see the diesel during the lockdown, 18 25 21 29 33 sidised liquefied petroleum gas reduction in the sale of all out of which almost 6KL of 12 17 14 13 22 (LPG) and 9,324 cylinders of petroleum products during petrol and 58KL of diesel are non-subsidised LPG during the lockdown. He said, “The in- availed by vehicles holding Thimphu Trashigang 21-day nationwide lockdown. crease in the sale of LPG must fuel book. Petrol sales dropped by have resulted because people “The demand remained 79.6 percent and diesel, the are panic buying and probably low until August 8. We hope 24 25 most consumed fuel, saw a they are hoarding.” the sales of POL will pick up 16 16 drop in the sale by 84.4 percent. During normal days DoT when the vehicles start plying Similarly, kerosene con- Source: National Center for Hydrology and Meteorology. issues only 15 LPG cylinders to again,” said Thukten. For any weather information: Call hotline 335578

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 From Tikchungs to mobile payments - BoB’s journey towards digitization respite was thus given from physically remittance through mBoB on May 2020 is another accept payments from around the world with the counting a truckload of Tickchungs one by convenient feature added to mBoB with a total of institution of the e-payment gateway in 2015, A one when the frst coin counting machine 849 transactions and Nu. 40.06 million worth of creating opportunities for Bhutanese e-commerce made its way to Bank of Bhutan (BoB) in the 1970s, transactions as of 19th Aug 2020. This feature will market that did not exist prior. perhaps the frst automation for the Bank. help the Indian foreign expats working in Bhutan In addition, the Point of Sale (PoS) machines, Kiosk Monotonous transactions on bulky registers defned and the students studying in India to remit required banking, card-less withdrawal and cash deposit the Bhutanese banking system up until 1996 when amounts to India without them having to repeatedly machines were all part of digital services engraved in the Bank introduced a standalone IT system, ‘Druk submit paper documents. Another interesting technological advancement sprouted from one seed Banker’, in the same year. Albeit the shortcomings, and convenient feature is the QR code which was – the Core Banking System. There was Nu. 727.50 this system was gradually replacing the bulky introduced in 2018 within mBoB. The QR code million worth of POS transactions in the year 2017, registers heralding the start of computerization. recorded Nu.1,224.28 million in transactions in 2018 with a gradual increase to Nu. 785.89 million in 2018, Widespread use of internet and introduction of Core which dropped to Nu. 866.24M million in 2019 and and there was a decrease in both the transaction Banking System (CBS) in 2009 coalesced Bank of now shows a slight increase to Nu. 1,028.90 million and amount to Nu. 683.20 million in the year 2019. Bhutan’s digitisation drive. The CBS, as described in 2020. Nevertheless, it still continues to be one of the most by BoB CEO, not only connected all the branches BoB has also shown the way to reach the unbanked relevant ways of digital banking service. The graph but also opened opportunities for the Bank to populace in rural communities in the country below shows both the number of transactions and implement other banking technologies such as without actually investing in physical infrastructure. transaction amounts of POS transactions for the last ATMs, Internet Banking, Cards, Mobile Banking and Agency Banking is the case in point. Riding on the few years: so on. BoBConnect app, small businesses in far-fung Digital Banking Service also includes Internet If it was cards and ATMs that enhanced banking communities are incentivized by way of becoming Banking, the below are the IB transaction details for services, it was smart phones that propelled the bank’s agent to facilitate cash transactions. the past few years. digitisation further and The Visa Credit card has wider, enticing fnancial increased in popularity by over inclusion in the country. With Nu. 1 million as transaction mobile banking and smart amounts increased to Nu. phones, the bank moved 172.76 million in 2018 from Nu. from few terminals within the 100.95 million in 2017 and 2019 branches to pockets of tens reporting total transactions of of thousands of people with Nu. 228.48 million. services evolving relentlessly. As such, transactions for Visa BoB will endure evolution Debit Card has also shown of any sort to ofer the best increase every year from of its services to the people, Nu.18,794.16 million in 2017 to with greater efciency and Nu. 20,395.03 million in 2018 convenience. and further to Nu. 22,602.84 Digitisation, in the words million in 2019. The graphs of the former CEO, Mr. below display the details of Visa Pema N. Nadik has come as Debit and Credit Cards: a social obligation for the With advancements made in Bank in the modern times. digitization, the success rate of This social obligation has fnancial inclusion and fnancial pushed BoB beyond boundaries bringing on board BoBConnect is making headway in terms of literacy has peaked in the country. Now the question other public service providers. As rightly put in a providing fnancial services in remote communities remains, what next? The answer is ingrained in the customer feedback, “BoB is leading in terms of as shown by the transaction amounts that touched unprecedented advancement in technology. AI, coming up with new digital services – it is no more a Nu. 280.63 million in 2017, Nu. 949.65 million in 2018 robotics and block chain have brought tremendous sleeping giant,” perhaps digitization has awakened and Nu. 1,658.32 million in 2019, and Nu. 1,460.28M scope for FinTechs around the globe and we must the sleeping giant and brought other banks on their million as of June 2020. aspire to move with the world. However, as the toes. Steps towards fnancial inclusion had already been country’s largest bank, BoB also has the mandate to mBoB, a modest platform for mobile banking, taken since 1971 to ease the barter system by ensure smooth economic transition in the country, corroborated major breakthrough in digitization of introducing paper currency. Since then BoB was and if we should move forward, we must move with the bank. While making services like bill payments, already in the picture, not only as a commercial the entire nation towards the 21st century. Until balance enquiry, transaction history, loan EMI bank but with the responsibility of a Central Bank then, BoB remains a proud digital banker to the payment, mobile and internet recharge, utility till 1982. nation. bills payment and service applications available In order to ease transactions for the customers The graph below shows the details QR transactions on mobile phones, it was initially set apart from who maintain accounts in diferent banks, RMA has for two months. services provided by the rest of the fnancial directed all banks in Bhutan to provide one common institutions. National QR code which was launched on 15th July As per the CEO, Mr. Dorji Kadin, majority of the 2020. Currently BoB and BNB are the only banks customers prefer convenience and no other product functioning in the Country with a National QR code. ofered by BoB is as convenient as mBoB with a The ATMs of BoB play a very vital role in providing number of features available and a lot more being digital banking service to its customers as currently added in regularly. With the introduction of Bhutan it reports a total of 4.79 million in number of Immediate Payment System (BIPS), an RMA transactions with a value of Nu. 16,790.52 million initiative, all dots appear to be connected, making in transactions in the year 2018, which slightly inter-bank real-time digital payments, possible. increased in 2019 to 6.22 million in number of mBoB has accentuated a whole new dimension transactions with Nu. 22,835.56 million value in to cashless transaction in the country. As of 19th transactions, and as of March 2020 we can see 1.36 August 2020, we can see a total number of 186,049 million in number of transactions with a value of Nu. mBoB users. It has recorded Nu. 67,463.32 million 5,279.15 million in transactions from the 111 ATMs worth of transactions in 2019, compared with Nu. maintained by the BoB. 34,873.32 million in 2018 and Nu. 584.95 million Going Cashless has always been the primary in 2017. On the other hand, the introduction of objective behind digitization. Since 2010, BoB mBoB has bottled-up ATM transactions to Nu. 4 became a primary member of VISA, leveraging million in 2019, down from Nu. 5 million in 2018. its services to the international market. Today, This elucidates the impact of disruptive technology BoB clients enjoy easy access to international and challenges the Bank has to endure along its e-commerce platforms. Entrepreneurs, e-Exporters By Passang Norbu Corporate Head Ofce, Bank of Bhutan, Thimphu journey towards digitization. Introducing INR and tour companies alike are empowered to Saturday, September 12, 2020 LOAN DEFERMENT INFORMATION

Loan Deferment Application & 1% Rebate

The Bank has made the deferment application form available through the following medium considering the present nationwide lockdown situation:

1. In word format in our website, www.bob.bt. 2. In hard copies with BoBConnect Agents. 3. Web-based online questionnaire in our website for the convenience of our clients where they can fll-in online and submit.

For all loans availed before 30/06/2020, kindly submit the deferment forms before 30/09/2020. It’s mandatory to submit the form whether the client wants to pay or defer.

The application forms can be submitted through our BoBConnect Agent in hard copies or via email to [email protected].