Dharamshala, 31 March 2025: Chaired by Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, the budget session of the 17th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile successfully concluded today with key legislative amendments and resolutions passed.
The last day of the 9th session began with presentation of the 12th Public Accounts Committee’s report by the PAC’s member parliamentarian Tenzin Choezin. This was followed by a motion for debate on the 12th PAC’s report, tabled by parliamentarian Juchen Konchok Choedon and supported by parliamentarian Tsaneytsang Dhondup Tashi.
The session proceeded with legislative procedure’s third reading and adoption of the following rules and regulation.
- Rules and Regulation for the Public Service Commission
- Rules and Regulation for the housing and estate of Tibetan Settlements
- Rules and regulation for salaries and other allowance for the Supreme Justice Commissioner and other Justice Commissioners
- Rules and Regulation for the Standing Committee of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile
- Rules and regulation for honorarium, daily allowances and other entitlement for the members of the Tibetan Parliament
- Rules and regulation for salaries and other allowances of the Sikyong and the Kalons
- Rules and regulation for salaries and other allowance for the Chief Election Commission
- Rules and regulation for salaries and other allowances for the Chairman of the Public Service Commission
- Rules and regulation for salaries and other allowances for the Auditor General of the Office of the Auditor
- Tibetan Code of Civil Procedure
- Law of Evidence
- Tibetan Code of Judiciary
This was followed by the introduction of several official resolutions. First, a resolution was tabled to commemorate the 90th birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama by publishing a compilation of his speeches to the public, the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, and other key addresses. The resolution also proposed constituting a parliamentary committee to update the existing book detailing the evolution of Tibetan democracy in exile, with a report to be submitted before the 10th session. This resolution was tabled by Parliamentarian Tenzin Jigdal and supported by Tsering Yangchen. The resolution was passed unanimously.
Another resolution proposed the formation of a Kachi Committee, consisting of two Members of Parliament (MPs) and one representative from the Kashag (Cabinet), to draft guidelines for the standardization of the Tibetan national flag and emblem, including their shape, color, and the length of the Tibetan national anthem. This committee will also follow up on recommendations from previous committees on this matter. The resolution was tabled by parliamentarian Geshe Lharampa Atuk Tseten and supported by parliamentarian Geshe Atong Rinchen Gyaltsen, with a report due before the 10th session. The resolution was passed unanimously.
Following this, a resolution was passed unanimously acknowledging the cleared accounts of the Central Tibetan Administration as recorded in the 12th Public Accounts Report. The Kashag was instructed to follow up on the committee’s findings.
A resolution was also introduced to constitute an ad hoc committee, composed of 4 MPs and 1 Kalon, to review proposed amendments to the Rule of Budget. The committee was tasked with conducting a thorough review of the amendments after a majority vote. The resolution was passed with majority vote.
The Revised Appropriation Act of 2024-2025 and the Appropriation Act of 2025-2026 were presented by Deputy Speaker Dolma Tsering Teykhang and supported by Chairperson of the Budget Estimate Committee, Geshe Lharampa Atuk Tseten. The Revised Appropriation Act of 2024-2025 and the Appropriation Act of 2025-2026 were passed unanimously.
According to Document No. 75, the Revised Appropriation Act of 2024-2025 authorized the appropriation of a total of Rs. 3,691,017,578 for proposed expenditures, including both the annual and interim budgets.
As per Document No. 76, the Appropriation Act of 2025-2026 authorized the appropriation of Rs. 3,304,017,307 for proposed expenditures in the annual budget.
Finally, the Secretary-General of the Tibetan Parliamentary Secretariat, Sonam Dorjee, read out the leave of absence for Parliament Members before Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel delivered his concluding speech, officially bringing the session to a close.
The Speaker in his conclusion speech thanked the Sikyong, the Kalons, and parliamentarians for their participation and cooperation. He further informed the house of the obituary references, solidarity resolution, 12th Public Accounts Committee report, election of justice commissioners and auditor general of the Central Tibetan Administration, legislature amendments, financial business, and other businesses of this session.
He urged people to strive for financial self-sufficiency, enabling the administration to allocate more resources towards political activism, and called for the collective effort of every Tibetan in support of the common cause of Tibet.
He thanked the Department of Finance, the Department of Information and International Relations, the Department of Security, the Department of Health, the Electrician of the Department of Home, transcribers from various departments of the CTA, and the Parliamentary Secretariat for their assistance during the thirteen-day parliament session.
A delegation led by Nicolas De Santis, President & Secretary General of Gold Mercury International, attended the ongoing session and was warmly welcomed by the house. Earlier this morning, Gold Mercury International presented His Holiness the Dalai Lama with the prestigious Gold Mercury Award for Peace.
The session adjourned sine die at 2: 52 pm.
-Report filed by Tibetan Parliamentary Secretariat
