By Tenzin Monlam
DHARAMSHALA, March 21: The 11th and the last session of the 15th Tibetan Parliament in Exile (TPiE) began here Monday, a day after Tibetans around the world participated in election on Sunday.
The Speaker of the Tibetan parliament urged the members of the house to respect the forum by avoiding any election related issues. “During the elections, many things were said. However, since it is over, I see no reason for anyone to speak about it or anything related to it. Therefore, I request everyone to respect the forum and avoid building a confrontation,” the Speaker said in his opening remark of the budget session for the financial year 2016-17.
The parliament passed a resolution to mourn the passing away of Kyabjé Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche, the two teen self-immolators Kalsang Wangdu and Dorjee Tsering and Mr. Karma Choephel, an MP.
The Parliament also passed a resolution of solidarity with all the Tibetans under the Chinese rule and those who have self-immolated for the Tibet cause.
The Finance Minister (Kalon) Tsering Dhundup today presented the proposed budget of 2238 million rupees after the Budget Estimate Committee examined the consolidated proposed budget for the fiscal year 2016-17.
“Compared to last year’s approved budget of 2018 million rupees, it has increased this year due to implementation of new programs and policies including Tibetan Medicare System, Increment of CTA staff salary and new programs of different departments,” said Karma Yeshi, Secretary of the budget committee and a sitting Member of Parliament.
He also said that the proposed amount would change after putting it on the floor for discussion.
The final session of the current parliament will discuss and approve the budget of the CTA for the year 2016-17 by April 1, the final day of the session.
