7th session of the 17th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile begins in Dharamshala

Dharamshala—The 7th Session (budget session) of the 17th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile for the fiscal year 2024-2025 commenced in Dharamshala on March 18, 2024, wherein Sikyong Penpa Tsering, the incumbent Finance Kalon of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), unveiled the 2024-25 Budget of the Central Tibetan Administration, proposing an allocation of Rs. 3331.55 million.

The 7th session (budget session) of the 17th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile (TPiE) for the fiscal year 2024-2025 is slated to convene from March 18 to 30, 2024. The session commenced with an announcement by Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel at 9.30 am this morning in the TPiE Hall, Gangkyi, Dharamshala, HP, India.

The parliamentary hall convened with Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, Deputy Speaker Dolma Tsering Teykhang, and the MPs of the TPiE, including Sikyong Penpa Tsering, Kalon Tharlam Dolma, Kalon Gyari Dolma, and Kalon Norzin Dolma. The assembly commenced with the rendition of the Tibetan national anthem, followed by the Speaker's inaugural address and the appointment of Acting Speakers and Ad Hoc committee members.

In his address to the house, the Speaker underscored 'the imperative of leveraging the current political and economic landscape in China to advance the righteous cause of Tibet. Given the global significance the Sino-Tibetan conflict has garnered through the benevolent actions of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, this juncture presents a pivotal opportunity for action.'

The Speaker also underscored that the establishment of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile had long been a cherished aspiration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, before introducing the agenda for the session. This agenda encompassed the presentation of the budget, the report of the rules and regulation review committee, the report of the Budget Estimate Committee, and other pertinent matters. The Speaker urged parliamentarians to bear in mind His Holiness's vision and aspirations throughout their deliberations.

The formal motion on solidarity concerning the critical situations within Tibet was tabled by MP Geshe Lharampa Gowo Lobsang Phende, with support from Parliamentarian Geshe Atong Rinchen Gyaltsen.

Subsequently, Sikyong Penpa Tsering, the incumbent Finance Kalon of the Central Tibetan Administration, laid out the 2024-25 Budget of the Central Tibetan Administration, proposing an allocation of Rs. 3331.55 million.

This was succeeded by Parliamentarian Geshe Lharampa Gowo Lobsang Phende, the Chairman of the Budget Estimate Committee of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, presenting the Précis report of the Committee.

The motion for debate on the Central Tibetan Administration’s 2024-25 Budget was introduced by Parliamentarian Tenzin Jigdal and endorsed by Parliamentarian Tsering Yangchen.