K5 being welcomed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during a meeting in New Delhi in 2009 |
Last week, the India ministry decided to withdraw four major subsidies on cooking gas, kerosene, Chukha power tariff, and excise duty refund creating a huge economic crisis in Bhutan.
The Indian ministry took such a “serious” decision a few days after powerful media outlets reported “suspicious” operations of Chinese PLAs military camps inside Bhutan.
Immediate impacts of the India’s revenge to the GNH nation as regards to Bhutan’s questionable flexibility towards the Chinese intrusion, which has doubtlessly annoyed the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s government, are further worsening of economic crisis, and mushrooming of anti-India sentiments.
The subsidy withdraw of LPG and kerosene has been estimated to cause a loss of Nu 579.5 million to Bhutan. The loss from subsidy cut to Chukha power tariff would be almost double of the loss due to cuts in LPG and kerosene subsidy.
Though the head of the interim government, Sonam Tobgay, has sought immediate appointment with Indian Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid for discussion on new scenario, it looks that a prompt response towards the Bhutanese call is unlikely considering Khurshid’s scheduled abroad visits and the second general elections of July 13 in Bhutan.
Source: http://to.ly/mjJo
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