DHARAMSHALA, March 3: There has been a major secretary level reshuffle in the Dharamshala based Central Tibetan Administration.
This is the first major restructuring at the highest administrative level of CTA since Kalon Tripa Dr Lobsang Sangay took oath of office in August last.
Tashi Gyatso, former additional secretary of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile has taken over as the secretary of the Tibetan Supreme Justice Commission, the highest judicial organ under CTA. The SJC formally came into existence as per the provision of the Charter of Tibetans in Exile on March 11, 1992.
Ven. Karma Gelek Yuthog, secretary of the Department of Education has assumed the additional responsibility of the Cabinet Secretariat, the highest executive office of CTA.
Sonam Topgyal Khorlatsang, former secretary of the Tibetan Homes Foundation, Mussoorie has assumed office of the secretary of the Department of Home, which is responsible for all the rehabilitation schemes for Tibetans in exile.
Trinlay Gyatso, former representative, Bureau of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Nepal, now known as the Tibetan Refugee Welfare Office will assume office as the secretary of the Department of Finance w.e.f April 2. The department established in 1969 has the main objective of raising revenue for the CTA and prepare, execute and control its annual budget.
Tashi, former additional secretary of the Department of Information and International Relations has replaced Thubten Samphel as the Information Secretary of CTA. Samphel is now heading the newly formed Tibet Policy Institute.
Wangchuk Phasur, former secretary of the Department of Health has now been appointed as the secretary (security) of the Department of Security w.e.f March 5, which has the primary responsibility to ensure the security of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The department also runs a research unit to monitor developments in Tibet and China and runs three Reception Centres to look after new refugees arriving from Tibet.
Sonam Choephel Shosur, former director of the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts will take over as the secretary of the Department of Health. The department established in 1981 provides curative and preventative health care services to Tibetan refugees in India, Nepal and Bhutan.
Ven. Norbu Dhonden, former additional secretary of the Department of Religion and Culture has assumed office as the secretary of the Kashag Contingency Section, which is normally assigned on special and urgent tasks and also serves as a documenting unit, compiling historical material on the Tibetan struggle and post-1959 reconstruction period.
CTA was established in India with the main purpose to “rehabilitate Tibetan refugees and restore freedom for Tibetans” shortly after His Holiness the Dalai Lama escaped into exile in 1959.
