Dharamsala: The final day of the sixth session of the 16th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile commenced at 9:30 am with Speaker Ven. Khenpo Sonam Tenphel chairing it.
The session began with the continuation of the remainder agenda of debate and discussion over the 2017-18 report of Department of Health as Kalon Mr. Choejung Wangchuk gave answers and clarifications to the questions and doubts raised by the parliamentarians.
Major issues raised by the parliamentarians focused on major public health problem such as Tuberculosis (TB), leprosy; collaboration between the said department and Men-Tse-Khang; facilitation of schools and institutes of differently-abled children with necessity amenities and initiating exchange program between such institutes with others ran by different governmental and non-governmental organizations of India; treatment of the mental/psychological disorders with traditional Tibetan knowledge of Inner Science (Nang-don Rigpa); establishment of blood banks.
The House also saw discussions over the substance abuses in the Tibetan youth, which they stressed depends on the various factors contributed by parents, relatives, society and school as well as on the importance of raising awareness on mother-child health.
Thereafter, the House resumed to continue with the final process of the legislative amendment – Third reading and Adoption. The Charter amendment bills, which were passed in the House during the last nine days of the session, were duly adopted. The bills included amendment in the Article 31, clause (ix), (x), (xi) of Article 21, clause (viii) (ix) of Article 38, clause (ii) of Article 73 and clause (iii) of Article 79 in the Charter of Tibetans in exile.
It also saw the due adoption of legislative amendments in various articles and clauses under the ‘Rules and Regulation of Electoral System’ as tabled in the House during today’s third reading as well as the adoption of legislative amendment in clause(i) of Article 7 entitled, ‘Parliamentarians’ Honorarium, Daily Allowance(DA) and Other Benefits’.
During the agenda of ‘Remainder Agenda’, Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay commended the House for the successful adoption of two significant amendments in the ‘Rules and Regulation of the Electoral System’ and also commended the Speaker for his gentle yet firm characteristic when presiding over the House. He, in particular, strongly condemned those individuals who are involved in pursuit to defame and disrespect His Holiness the Dalai Lama, stating that such actions are intolerable and unbearable in society.
Subsequently, Parliamentary Secretary Mr. Tsering Topgyal Lhakhang presented the leave of absence by the parliamentarians.
Thereafter, Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel addressed the House by referring to the three resolutions passed and two starred questions raised in the House, especially the notable amendment adopted in this particular session. He commended and expressed his gratitude to US Congress for passing the Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act, especially Democratic leader Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi and Congressman Jim McGovern for their relentless effort to pass this bill along with International Campaign for Tibet, concerned bureau offices of tibet and everyone involved in the same.
With this particular session being the last one for him to preside over as the Speaker of House, he thanked the Deputy Speaker, members of Standing Committee and the Cabinet for their support and cooperation. He also thanked the members in the House for their whole-hearted participation and wished the upcoming new Speaker with success. He then briefed the House on the Tibetan parliamentary delegation to various countries and Tibetan settlements as well as on the other reports during his tenure of two of half year as Speaker of the 16th Tibetan Parliament-in-exile. He especially stressed on the unification of Tibetans amongst themselves, stating that ‘concordance of mind and unity mitigates every hurdles and deterrent.’
He also preferred his whole-hearted gratitude to the government and people of India and in particular, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, for His untiring efforts. He mentioned that the bond between Him and Tibetans is of unique karmic connection.
He concluded his speech by thanking the staffs of Tibetan Parliamentary Secretariat for the preparation of documents; audio-visual staffs of Department of Information and international Relations (DIIR) for the smooth live telecasting of the session; staffs for Department of Security for conducing safe and secure ambience and the students of College for Higher Tibetan Studies, Sara for the timely transcription of the whole proceeding during the 10 days of the session.
The session adjourned sine die at 3 pm.
