Dharamshala: Chaired by Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, the eleventh day of the ninth session of the 17th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile began with the second reading of legislative procedure.

The amendments to the Rules and Regulations for the Public Service Commission were discussed, with changes to Article 9 (i)(ii), Article 11 (ii), Article 13 (i)(ii)(iii), Article 14 (i)(vi), Article 15 (ii)(iii), Article 16 (i)(ii)(iv)(vii), Article 18 (i)(ii)(iv), and Article 20 passing the second reading. However, the amendment to Article 15 (iv) of the Rules and Regulations for the Public Service Commission was repealed after failing to receive the necessary votes.

During the second reading of the proposed amendment to the Rule of Budget, a broad consensus emerged among parliamentarians. Following a majority vote, the house agreed to constitute an ad hoc committee to conduct a thorough review of the Rule of Budget.

Following the requisite list of business, the amendment to the Rules and Regulations for the Housing and Estate of Tibetan Settlements, specifically Article 11 (i), was passed the second reading.

Amendments to the Rules and Regulations for Parliamentary Procedures and the Conduct of Business concerning the removal of elected dignitaries of the Central Tibetan Administration – specifically Articles 17, 75 (i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v), and 76 (i)(ii)(iii) – were discussed. However, due to a lack of consensus among lawmakers, the house decided to freeze the bill until the 10th session to allow for further clarity in the legislature.

The amendment to the Rules and Regulations for Salaries and Other Allowances for the Supreme Justice Commissioner and other Justice Commissioners – specifically Article 6(iv), Article 7(iv), Article 10(ii), and Article 13(i) – passed the second reading.

Amendments to the Rules and Regulations for the Standing Committee of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile ‘s Article 7 (i) and for the honorarium, daily allowances, and other entitlements for members of the Tibetan Parliament ‘s Article 5 ( iv) passed the second reading.

The amendment to the Rules and Regulations for Salaries and Other Allowances for the Sikyong and the Kalons on Articles 6 (iv), 7(iv), as well as amendments to the Rules and Regulations for Salaries and Other Allowances for the Chief Election Commissioner ‘s Articles 7(i) and 7(iv), passed the second reading.

Lastly, the amendments to the Rules and Regulations for Salaries and Other Allowances for the Chairman of the Public Service Commission on Articles 6 (iv), 7 (iv) and to the Auditor General of the Office of the Auditor on Articles 6(iv), 7(iv), 10 also passed the second reading.

The legislative procedure continued with second reading of bills related to the Tibetan Supreme Justice Commission’s Tibetan Code of Civil Procedure, Law of Evidence, and Tibetan Code of Judiciary.

The Tibetan Code of Civil Procedure passed the second reading, with amendment to Article 97 and appendix B-1. However, its Article 69 (I) was repealed after failing to get two third of vote to pass the second reading.

The Law of Evidence, with amendment to Articles 3 (i), 89, passed the second reading.

Likewise, the Tibetan Code of Judiciary, with amendments on Articles 6(b), 10(a), 11(b), 12, 14 (a), 43, 83 passed the second reading.

An official motion to offer concession on the Net Profit Contribution (Tsangkhei Gyacha) for Men-Tse-Khang, Dickyi Larsoe Tibetan Cooperative Society, Puruwala Sakya Tibetan Society, and Sataun Kham Kathok Tibetan Society was tabled by Sikyong Penpa Tsering, the incumbent Kalon of the Department of Finance (DoF), and supported by Kalon Changra Tharlam Dolma of the Department of Education (DoE). The motion was passed with a majority vote.

An official motion to offer a concession on the Net Profit Contribution (Tsangkhei Babh) for the Pokhara Tashi Phelgyel Tibetan Cooperative Society was tabled by Kalon Penpa Tsering of DoH and supported by Kalon Norzin Dolma of the Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR). The motion was passed with a majority vote.

An official motion to offer a concession on the pending Administrative Charge on grants payable (Rognyul Gyacha) of Upper Tibetan Children’s Village (UTCV) was tabled by Kalon Penpa Tsering of DoF and supported by Kalon Gyari Dolma of the Department of Security (DoS). The motion was passed with majority vote.

An official motion to offer a concession on the pending Administrative Charge (Zingkyong Gyacha) for Snow Lion Foundation Schools (Nepal) was tabled by Kalon Penpa Tsering of DoF and supported by Kalon Changra Tharlam Dolma of DoE. The motion was passed with a majority vote.

The house proceeded with the continuation of report presentation of the 12 Public Accounts Committee by its Chair Parliamentarian Geshe Atong Rinchen Gyaltsen. and secretary parliamentarian Phurpa Dorjee Gyaldhong.

The session adjourned at 7 pm.