DHARAMSHALA: The Tibetan minister (kalon) for home Dolma Gyari met the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Shri Virbhadra Singh on Tuesday to request the state government to reconsider a forest department’s notice regarding illegal constructions by Tibetans in Mcleod Ganj area, and also allow Tibetan roadside vendors to resume business, reported the official website of the Tibetan government (known officially as the Central Tibetan Administration).
Around 210 families were earlier served a notice by the state forest department which claim that the land on which the 21O families have their houses constructed belong to the forest department, and thus shall face demolition.
Dolma was accompanied at the meeting by Mr. Tsering Dorjee, Joint Secretary, Home Department and Mr. Sonam Dorjee, the Tibetan Welfare Officer, Dharamshala.
Kalon Dolma Gyari informed the chief minister that the Tibetans had no where go if their homes were demolished. She stated that Tibetans bear no intention whatsoever to claim the ownership of the land.
The district administration recently demolished makeshift outlets of all roadside vendors and hawkers on the main road from McLeod Ganj to the Tsuklakhang temple causing the Tibetans their livelihood.
Local Indian organizations such as the Mcleodganj Vyapar Mandal, Bhagsu Taxi Operators Union, The Hotel and Restaurant Association, Autorickshaw Union, Trekking & Mountaineering Association, and Indo-Tibetan Friendship Association have submitted pettitions to the chief minister appealing the government to address the eviction issue for Tibetans living in Dharamshala sympathetically.
The chief minister assured that he would explore all possibilities to help the Tibetans after seeking a report from the Deputy Commissioner regarding the matter.
Dolma also met Shri T.G. Negi , Advisor to the Hon. chief minister, Shri Subash C.Negi, Commissioner of HP State Electricity Commission, Shri. P.M. Negi, Deputy Attorney General to the Himachal Pradesh government and Smt. Rani PratibhaSingh Ji, Hon. Member of Parliament and Shri Brij Behari Lal Butail, Speaker of Himachal legislative assembly.
She also had a meeting with Shri Sudripta Roy, Chief Secretary, Government of Himachal Pradesh and Shri V.C.Pharka, Principal Secretary.
