Dharamshala, 12th September 2024: Chaired by Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, the second day of the 8th session of the 17th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile convened at 9:30 am.
The second day began with an official obituary reference to former Tibetan Parliamentarian Chungdak Koren who passed away on 10th of September 2024 at a hospital in Oslo, Norway. The obituary was read by parliamentarian Phurpa Dorjee Gyaldhong and the house mourned the official reference with observation of a minute of silence.
The session continued with Sikyong Penpa Tsering, the current Kalon of the Department of Home, addressing all questions and concerns raised regarding the CTA’s household listing survey, census survey, housing projects, the Organic Research and Training Centre (ORTC), medicinal plant farming, and Tibetan cooperative societies across India.
The parliamentarians commended the department’s overall performance, recognizing the dedicated efforts of the Kalon, the Secretary, officials, and staff, including settlement officers and staff from various Tibetan settlements.
The Kalon also detailed the preventive measures implemented to mitigate flood risks in Tibetan areas in Kullu, such as building embankments. Additionally, he clarified the department’s initiatives to address land and housing issues and tackle youth unemployment among Tibetan youth through various projects and programs.
Thereafter, Sikyong Penpa Tsering, incumbent Kalon of the Department of Finance (DoF), presented the department’s précis 2023-2024 annual report and parliamentarian Phurpa Dorjee Gyaldhong presented the Standing Committee’s reviewed report on the detailed annual report of the Department of Finance.
This was followed by parliamentarian Geshe Ngaba Gangri tabling and parliamentarian Tsaneytsang Dhondup Tashi supporting the motion for debate on the DoF’s précis report respectively.
The debate on the undertaking of the Department of Finance remains open for the next seating.
The house adjourned at 5:10 pm until 9:30 am of the next day.
