COUNTRY BACKGROUND - Gross National Happiness Commission

Communications Sector
IV. Development Programmes for the 7FYPIV. Development Programmes for the 7FYP
Print and Broadcasting MediaPrint and Broadcasting Media
16.34 There were 6 hours of broadcasting at the end of the 6FYP. Transmission hours will be increased by one
hour every year for the first four years of the plan. In the final year of the 7FYP, transmission hours will be
increased by 2 hours. This will bring the total number of transmission hours to 12 hours every day. Dzongkha and
English programmes will receive more broadcasting time, although greater airtime will be allotted to Sharchop and
Lhotsham (Nepali) programmes. However, programme expansion in terms of airtime will have to be curtailed if it
is not possible to develop the institutional capability of the BBS to a corresponding degree. The Bhutan
Broadcasting Services will also distribute inexpensive radio sets at nominal costs in remote areas to promote radio
listening.
16.35 Although the national weekly newspaper, Kuensel will continue to be produced on a weekly basis, the
content and volume will be increased for all three editions. In terms of content, greater emphasis will be given to
national news supplied by Kuensel's Dzongkhag stringers. Towards the latter half of the 7FYP, the Dzongkha
edition will carry 20 pages, English editions 20 pages and Nepali editions will carry 12 pages. To provide for this
proposed expansion, equipment for desk top publishing, photography sections, news library etc. will be acquired.
16.36 The construction of a Development Centre for the DSCD, for which designs have been prepared, will be
undertaken if donor funding becomes available. Otherwise, there will be no major capital expenditures for the
DSCD but the Division will continue to provide the usual services to agencies and private sector.
Postal ServicesPostal Services
16.37 The speed and reliability of mail transport will be improved through the introduction of 10 mail vans in a
phased manner. At present the Department uses passenger bus services operated by private transporters, in addition
to Government runners in the more remote areas. The private bus services have serious drawbacks in that the bus
owners' priority is carriage of passengers and goods, and this determines the bus schedules. In some areas the
volume of mail is so great that private carriers are unable to transport all the mail. Thus the postal service is
unreliable. In addition, the transport of mail bags is insecure as they are transported on the top of buses with other
baggage and the mail often is damaged in transit. Expedited mail services and airmail services will be started at the
beginning of 7FYP using Druk-Air services. Electronic mail services will be introduced in post offices where there
is sufficient demand for such services. The capability of the Philatelic Unit will be enhanced to design, produce and
market stamps and thus generate more revenue.
Civil Wireless ServicesCivil Wireless Services
16.38 Until the telephone services are inter-connected and unified into a single network, the wireless services will
remain the most important form of communication in Dzongkhags. An additional 5 wireless stations will be
established and 40 sets of equipment will be replaced.
TelecommunicationsTelecommunications
16.39 Work on microwave routes and exchanges will be carried out in the following order (see Map 16.1
Microwave Transmission Network):
Route 1: Thimphu-Tongsa-Jakar-Mongar-Tashigang microwave link with exchanges at Tongsa, Jakar, Mongar
and Tashigang
Route 2: Tongsa-Shemgang-Geylegphug-Damphu microwave link with exchanges at Shemgang, Geylegphug
and Damphu
Route 3: Tashigang-Pema Gatshel-Samdrup Jongkhar microwave link with exchanges at Samdrup Jongkhar
and Pema Gatshel
Route 4: Thimphu-Paro-Haa-Chimakoti-Phuntsholing-Samchi microwave link with exchanges at Paro,
Chimakoti, Haa, Phuntsholing and Samchi
Route 5: Thimphu-Punakha-Wangdi microwave link with exchanges at Punakha and Wangdi.
16.40 The first three routes will be completed by 1994 and other routes by 1997. These five microwave routes
will provide for transmission to 16 of the 18 Dzongkhags as well as the town of Phuntsholing. The two remaining
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