The newly completed farm road connecting Serchhenmo village and Wangphu Gewog Centre in Samdrup Jongkhar remains underutilised due to the absence of a bridge over the Nyera Ama River. Villagers are currently forced to walk over an hour or two to reach the Wangphu Gewog centre.

Armyworm infestation in agricultural fields is not a new phenomenon amongst farmers in the country. Although BBS has yet to obtain the full-scale report on the outbreak, there are reports of damages of maize plants in Samtse, Pema Gatshel, Samdrup Jongkhar and Trashigang. However, in an unusual event in Tsirang, paddy farmers at Maenchhana Chiwog of Kilkhorthang Gewog are seeing the infestation in paddy fields. The infestation is still active even after repeatedly spraying a pesticide provided by the gewog agriculture extension office, according to the farmers. The pest has affected paddy saplings of ten out of 18 paddy growers in...

The Department of Revenue and Customs is reviewing the Income Tax Act of the Kingdom of Bhutan 2001 for amendment during the winter session of Parliament. The Act was endorsed some two decades ago. According to the Department of Revenue and Customs, the revision will address foreign direct investment transactions and consider incorporating digital assets, such as cryptocurrencies, as sources of income under personal income tax.

A designated office, to specifically cater to the needs, and to support Bhutanese wishing to return home from abroad has been established under the Ministry of Industry Commerce and Employment, MoICE. During the Meet the Press session yesterday, the prime minister said the rationale is to provide information regarding opportunities back home to Bhutanese citizens who wish to return to the country.

As Bhutan prepares for the Gelephu Mindfulness City, the country is also making progress towards financial security and stability with the launch of Asia's first full-reserve bank, the ORO Bank. In a departure from traditional fractional reserve banking systems, this new institution, ORO Bank, is launched to revolutionize the industry by prioritizing the safety of customers' funds above all else.

Mental and behavioural disorders due to alcohol have been on the rise for the last five years in the country. This is according to the annual health bulletin 2023. Doctors from the national referral hospital said that mental and behavioural disorders occur due to genetics and environment such as peer pressure and the easy availability of alcohol in society. Mental and behavioural disorder due to alcohol happens when a person is addicted to alcohol and suffers from dependence and withdrawal symptoms.