Working online...

I’ve filed my PIT returns electronically. It’s quite easy: go to the MOF website; download the electronic form, an excel file; complete the form; and submit it as an email attachment. The only cumbersome part is sending the supporting documents – TDS certificates, proof of education expenses, donation receipts and the like must be scanned [...]

A continuing saga...

“A week after the National Assembly approved the civil servant pay hike, the cabinet has revised the scarcity allowance system for teachers and doctors…” ran Kuensel’s main story yesterday (read article). The cabinet’s decision will bring a little relief to a few civil servants. But it will be a source of growing anxiety to many [...]

Defining pensions...

Yesterday, the finance minister confirmed what we already knew – that the NPPF pension scheme is sustainable only for about 30 years. What does it mean? It means the pension scheme will not be able to pay benefits to all its pensioners in about 30 years. It means that by 2040, give or take a [...]

Pay increase broadcast...

A lot of people followed the pay revision debate today. According to BBS, people throughout the country watched it live. Well I saw this group of people right outside the National Assembly following the proceedings on live TV. The group was gathered around BBS’s OB Van – outdoor broadcasting van – to keep track of [...]

Assemble in the Assembly...

A lot of people called me today. They were mainly civil servants expressing their frustration over the government’s pay revision report. They must be really frustrated. After all, by now they would know that a two-member opposition can hardly influence important discussions. So I hope they’re calling the DPT MPs too. And I hope they [...]

Scheming pensions...

Would you set aside a portion of your salary if, after you retire, you receive a comfortable pension every month? You probably would. Would you do so if the government matched what you contributed, and you received a bigger pension when you retired? You probably should. But what if such a scheme is sustainable for [...]

Pay expectations...

We were given the government’s pay revision report today. Finally. And the speaker announced that we would debate it this Monday. Good. I am happy that the government has decided not to increase the salaries of the prime minister, cabinet ministers and other ranks equivalent to ministers. The pay commission had recommended salary increases of [...]

What’s centralized...

Consider this: Nu 38.32 billion had been budgeted for capital investments in the 9th Five Year Plan. Of that, Nu 9.32 billion had been budgeted for the dzongkhags and gewogs. That was about 24.37% of the total capital outlay. Now consider this: Nu 73.61 billion has been budgeted for capital investments in the 10th Five [...]

e-PIT...

Yes! I can now file my PIT online. Actually not fully online, but electronically – download the PIT return form and send it in as an email attachment. I’m not complaining. This is a huge step forward. So, well done. I’m going to file my PIT electronically. Are you? Internet came to Bhutan in June [...]

What’s decentralised...

Consider this: each minister would enjoy entitlements and benefits totaling about Nu 9,942,000 during the 10th Five Year Plan period. This is at current pay scales. (See my conservative estimates towards the end). Now consider this: 40 gewogs would each get capital funds amounting to less than Nu 9,942,000 each during the 10th Five Year [...]

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