Speaker Pema Jungney presides over the first day of the 10th session of the 16th Tibetan Parliament in Exile. Screengrab image
Dharamshala: The 10th session of the 16th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile began today amid covid safety measures.
In his inaugural address, Speaker Pema Jungney of Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile briefed the day’s agenda which included 16 resolutions of official mourning, discussion and approval of the budget followed by Kashag’s clarification and discussion, reviewing of the annual audit report, discussions on legislations followed by a question and answer session.
“The global Covid-19 pandemic has caused immense difficulties to everyone and disrupted regular activities,” Speaker said, “However, we are relieved to inform that none of the members joining the session has tested positive for Covid as this was one of our primary concerns.”
“In the light of the situation across India and cases continuing to mount in the neighbouring state of Punjab, it is difficult to say whether the parliament will complete the 15 days session. Hence, we will have to assess the situation. In case, the businesses are completed before the end of the scheduled number of days, we might decide to suspend the session accordingly.”
He added that the Sikyong and Parliamentary election proceedings have been smooth-sailing and that no untoward events have been reported.
He further urged the parliament members to follow the health advisory issued by Department of Health and urged them to notify the relevant officials immediately in case any Covid-related symptoms are detected. Speaker also appointed the Acting Speaker and Ad Hoc committee.
The Parliament session proposed resolutions mourning the demise of Tibetan self-immolators including 26-year-old Shurmo who self-immolatated in protest against the Chinese government’s continued occupation and repression and extended solidarity to them and Tibetans inside Tibet suffering these abuses. Similarly, it proposed resolutions of mourning for the demise of Tibetan civil servants, Indian and foreign leaders including former CTA officials Lobsang Khedup Drongretsang and Tamding Wangyal, Union Deputy Minister and MP of Lok Sabha from Ladakh Shri Phuntsok Namgyal, US Representative John Robert Lewis, former Taiwan President Lee Teng Hui, former Indian President Pranab Mukherjee, former Union Minister Dr Raghuvansh Prasad Singh, former MP Padma Vibhusan Dr Kapila Vatsyayan, former Union Minister Jaswant Singh, Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan, Nagaland environment minister CM Chang and former Assam CM Tarun Gogoi.
The 15-day session will conclude on 31 March.
The 10th session of the 16th Tibetan Parliament in Exile in progress. Screengrab image
Parliamentarian Khenpo Sonam Tenphel reads out the resolution of mourning for self-immolators and Tibetans suffering under the Chinese repression. Screengrab image
The parliamentary proceedings are broadcast live via Tibet TV.
