A total of 37 police personnel, 377 tourist guides, drivers, and about five counter officials were involved

Chencho Dema

Investigation into embezzlement of monument fees at Bhutan’s iconic sites, involving 37 police personnel, about 377 tourist guides and drivers, and about five counter officials, was forwarded to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

The probe, which commenced in June and July, revealed extensive fraud at Taktshang Monastery in Paro and Punakha Dzong. In these two separate incidents, the group of accused siphoned substantial amounts of monument fees.

Thirty-three police personnel from Paro have been terminated without benefits after they were found guilty of bribery and misappropriating entry fees. They collectively embezzled about Nu 4 million since September 2022.

Punakha Dzong

The investigation also implicated 357 tourist guides and drivers, and four counter officials.

Kuensel has learnt that, in their statements to the investigation team from the police headquarters, the police personnel admitted that the embezzled amount was divided equally among them, totaling Nu 12 million, with each group receiving Nu 4 million.

Meanwhile, the Paro case was forwarded to ACC on July 16.

Tourists visiting Taktshang monastery are required to pay Nu 1,000 monument fee at the ticket counter located at Ramthangka, the base of the monastery.

In Punakha, four police personnel were also terminated without any benefits in July. In total the four police personnel had siphoned off about Nu 170,000.

Additionally, about 20 guides, a few drivers, and counter officials were involved in a similar scheme in Punakha, although it is not known how much they have embezzled.

After the completion of the investigation by the police, the case was forwarded to ACC in the first week of August.

Tourists have to pay entry fees while visiting seven monument sites in the country.

These monuments include Taktshang and Kyichu Lhakhang in Paro, National Memorial Chorten, Changangkha Lhakhang, and Tashichhodzong in Thimphu, Punakha Dzong and Chimi Lhakhang in Punakha.

In March this year, the total monument fee amounting to Nu 6.6 million was collected from the two sites in Paro, Nu 4 million from three monuments sites in Thimphu, and Nu 7 million from two monuments in Punakha.

Except for Paro Taktshang, the entry fee for these monument sites is Nu 500 per person for all foreign visitors, including tourists, official guests, and personal guests. Students and youth between the age of 6 years and 18 years old are provided a 50% discount.

Officials from the ACC confirmed that the case has been received and has been assigned to the investigation team.

The introduction of entry fees for tourists visiting monument sites began from

September 1, 2016 based on comprehensive consultations and approval accorded by the 113th Lhengye Zhungtshog held on September 6, 2016.

The fees are crucial for the conservation and maintenance of these cultural landmarks.

Sources told Kuensel that a similar investigation was conducted at Changangkha Lhakhang where corruption was not reported.