Dharamshala: The fourth day of the Budget Session of the 17th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile began at 9:30 AM, presided over by Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, with continued discussions on the Recurring Budget of the Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR).

The session proceeded with the deliberation and approval of both the Recurring Budget and the Special Recurring Budget of the DIIR. Lawmakers raised questions on various topics, including Tibet advocacy, the creation of a map for Tibet with the compilation of original place names, the inclusion of various Tibetan dialects in Tibet TV broadcasts, preparations for His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday celebrations, the department’s publications, and other concerns related to the DIIR’s budget. Kalon Norzin Dolma addressed and clarified all these queries.

Following a motion of reduction tabled by DIIR Kalon and supported by DoS Kalon, the Surkyol Budget of the DIIR was approved.

During the deliberations on the proposed budget of the Tibet Policy Institute (TPI) under the DIIR, parliamentarians inquired about the number of researchers, the nature of research papers, and other related activities. DIIR Kalon provided the necessary clarification.

After thorough deliberation, both the Recurring Budget and the Special Recurring Budget of the Tibet Policy Institute (TPI) were approved. The Surkyol Budget of the TPI was also approved, following a motion of reduction tabled by DIIR Kalon and supported by DoS Kalon.

The debate on the Recurring Budget of the Bureau of His Holiness the Dalai Lama remains open for the next sitting.

The session was adjourned at 5:00 PM and will resume at 9:30 AM the following day.