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Bhutan News Service

Bhutan News Service

DNC-D asks Nepali PM Khanal to find amicable solution of refugee stalemate

Posted: 04 Feb 2011 04:08 AM PST

The Druk National Congress–Democratic (DNC-D) has asked Nepali Prime Minister –elect Jhala Nath Khanal to find amicable solution to the long-standing Bhutanese refugee problem.

Issuing a congratulatory message to PM Khanal on Friday, DNC-D General Secreaty Narad Adhikari said, “We look forward that the new government of Nepal, under the charismatic leadership of Khanal, will give full priority to the Bhutanese refugee problem and take prompt and appropriate measures towards finding a comprehensive and amicable solution so that great justice could be bestowed to the Bhutanese refugees.”

The DNC-D also highlighted that the election of the new prime minister has ended a long political impasse in Nepal, giving new light and hope for everyone towards completing the peace process and drafting the new constitution for the country thereby paving the way for strengthening the newly established republican democracy in Nepal.

A statement issued this afternoon said, “Khanal, who comes from the eastern part of Nepal, where over one hundred thousand Bhutanese refugees have been living for the last two decades, is well aware of the genuine cause and the genesis of the Bhutanese refugee problem.”

According to the party’s claim, PM Khanal has always heard the grievances of the Bhutanese refugees keenly and closely, and assured several times that his party CPN-UML is strongly committed for materialising the right to repatriation of the Bhutanese refugees to their homestead with dignity and in security.

“DNC (Democratic), a constituent member of the NFD-Bhutan, coalition of all the major political parties in exile, takes this opportunity to pray and wish for the successful tenure of the new Prime Minister,” added he.

Dorji congratulates Nepali PM Khanal

Posted: 04 Feb 2011 02:31 AM PST

President of the Druk National Congress, Rongthong Kunley Dorji, has congratulated the newly elected Prime Minister of Nepal, Jhala Nath Khanal, Friday.

File photo : DNC delegation with Nepali PM Jhala Nath Khanal/Vidhyapati Mishra

Issuing a press statement, Dorji said, “On behalf of the Druk National Congress, I extend my hearty felicitation and best wishes to Your Excellency on being elected as Prime Minister of Nepal,”

Remaining forever indebted to the Government of Nepal and Nepalis for continued support towards the establishment of inclusive democracy in Bhutan, the DNC expressed its hope that under Khanal’s leadership there would be a re-beginning of bilateral talks between Nepal and Bhutan to resolve the protracted refugee issue.

Bank of Bhutan seeks to partner with AIT

Posted: 03 Feb 2011 11:43 PM PST

The Bank of Bhutan, which is the largest and oldest bank in Bhutan, is exploring ways to partner with the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) for upgrading the skills of its employees. This was the sentiment expressed by Karma Tshering, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the bank during a visit to AIT on January 28.

Karma, who was accompanied by Tshering Namgyal, Head of Human Resources, said they were interested in training for both junior as well as mid career staff at the Bank. "By the end of next month, all our bank branches would be computerized and we will be implementing core banking solutions," a statement issued by the AIT quoted Karma as saying. This requires that our staff should upgrade their skills and we look towards AIT in this regard, he added.

(From L to R) Karma Tshering, Prof. Said Irandoust and Prof. Joydeep Dutta discuss probable partnership in Thailand/Courtesy : AIT

President of AIT, Prof. Said Irandoust, while interacting with the delegation from the Bank of Bhutan revealed that the Government of Bhutan is keen to engage with AIT and they have already communicated their desire to AIT. Prof. Joydeep Dutta, Vice President for Academic Affairs, suggested that apart from AIT's School of Management (SOM), AIT Consulting and AIT Extension could offer short term courses to Bank officials.

He also requested the delegation to partnership AIT's Habitech Center which offers unique housing solutions, added the statement.

Dr. Pritam Krishna Shrestha, Head of External Relations and Communications Office floated the possibility of the Bank providing educational loans to students who wish to study at AIT.