Speaker Pema Jungney of Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile
Dharamsala: Speaker Pema Jungney, Speaker of Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile addresses the inaugural ceremony of the 19th Annual Conference of 15 Federation of Tibetan Cooperatives India Ltd (FTCI) as a special guest at T-Building, CTA in Gangchen Kyishong on 23 August 2019.
The inaugural event was also attended by Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay as the chief guest of the event and Chief Justice Commissioner, Kargyu Dhondup along with the two Justice Commissioners, standing committee members of Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, representatives of the three Autonomous bodies of CTA, Kalons of various CTA departments, secretaries, and other officials.
The Speaker started his address by paying reverence to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and greeting all the guests present there. Speaker then spoke about Tibetan Cooperatives and their roles in strengthening the collective economy of Tibetans. He then spoke about the establishment of Cooperative Societies in Tibetan settlements and scattered communities registered under the different State Co-operative Societies Act as per the advice of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.
Considering the importance of Tibetan Cooperatives, a separate Article on ‘Ownership and management of the co-operatives’ was included while drafting the Charter of Tibetans-in-Exile. Under the chapter VII, ‘The organizational structure of the Tibetan settlements’, the Article 93: Ownership and management of the co-operatives of the Charter of Tibetans-in-Exile states “Ownership of the Federation of Tibetan Co-operatives in the settlements shall rest in the local Tibetan co-operatives holding shares in their capital investments, and ownership of the local Tibetan co-operatives rest in the local Tibetans holding shares”,
“Whatever surplus income may be generated by the Federation of Tibetan Co-operatives and local co-operatives should be used solely for the benefit of the shareholders or residents of the concerned settlement, save in the case of amounts set aside to meet future fund requirements in accordance with the provisions of the co-operative’s Memorandum and Articles of Association” and “Concerning the affairs and plans of the cooperatives, announcements and consultations must be held frequently with the shareholders of the co-operatives, the Local Tibetan Assembly and the Settlement Officers”.
All the Tibetan Cooperative Societies are registered under state cooperative society act, and previously President of the Tibetan Cooperatives were incumbent Settlement officers that were later revoked by the 12th Kashag separating the Tibetan Cooperative and the Settlement office.
In 2005, the Federation of Tibetan Cooperatives India Ltd. was established considering the cooperatives being registered enterprise to amplify development in Tibetan society.
Since the Central Tibetan Administration established the Federation of Tibetan Cooperatives India Ltd. without any efforts from the general public, the shareholders also neglected to learn the important philosophies and regulation of Tibetan Cooperatives, which are for the benefits of shareholders.
Speaker lauded Federation of Tibetan Cooperatives India Ltd. for organizing workshops to the staff of Tibetan Cooperatives and shareholders on rules and regulations of Tibetan Cooperatives to strengthen Tibetan Cooperatives.
In Tibetan Settlements and scattered communities, there are still small enterprises that do not come under the Federation of Tibetan Cooperatives India Ltd. Speaker advised FTCI to provide a loan or guide these small enterprises.
Even though Tibetan Cooperatives are independent bodies but still come under the jurisdiction of Settlement Office or the Welfare Office of the settlement or scattered community, which is clearly mentioned in our Charter, therefore, he also advised the Settlement Office and Tibetan Cooperatives to work together for the welfare of Tibetan residents.
Finally, Speaker concluded by praying for the long life of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and fulfillment all his wishes.
Parliamentarians of Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile
