DHARAMSHALA, March 16: The 15th Tibetan Parliament in exile today began its ninth session during which the Tibetan parliamentarians will discuss budget for the fiscal year 2014-2015 of the Tibetan government in exile (known officially as the Central Tibetan Administration).
The house stood in silence for a minute to mourn the deaths of Tibetans who have died in Tibet under Chinese rule.
The Tibetan Minister for Finance presented the Budget for 2014/15 which will be discussed during coming sessions. The Tibetan parliamentary committee for budget estimation, represented by its chairman Thupte Lungrik, also presented its report to the house.
The speaker of the Tibetan spoke about the recent remarks in the recently concluded National People’s Congress in Beijing. “It is hard to say whether it is a positive or a negative thing that the Chinese inducted Panchen Rinpoche spoke on 6 points in the Chinese National People’s Congress. However, it is an indication that there is a space to speak.”
The speaker also said issues such as allotment of seat for Jhonang tradition, a seat in for Australasia region, an additional seat for North America will come up during the current session. He said such amendment must come only through democratic system as per the Tibetan charter.
The Tibetans parliamentarians deliberated on the ongoing crisis inside Tibet and proposed a resolution expressing solidarity with Tibetans who have self-immolated for the cause of Tibet. Pema Jungney, a member of the standing committee, read out a proposal for resolution for official mourning and expression of solidarity for the 6 Tibetans who self immolated since the parliament’s last session.
The parliament will conclude on March 28.
The highest legislative organ of the Tibetan government in exile meets twice a year to enact laws, frame rules and regulations and issue policy decisions and monitor the finances activities of the Tibetan government in exile, which officially is known as the Central Tibetan Administration.
