DHARAMSHALA: The Indian government has agreed to allow Tibetan refugees born in India and those who have lived in India for more than 20 years to renew their Registration Certificates for a period of 5 years.

“The administration has requested the Indian government about the problems faced by Tibetan refugees in renewing their RCs every one year or six months. The Indian government has consented to allow Tibetans born in India and those living in India for more than 20 years to get their RCs renewed after every five years,” Kalon Tripa Dr Lobsang Sangay told reporters in Dharamsala yesterday.

“The home ministry of India has sent notification on this new procedure to the state foreigner’s registration offices. It has specified four conditions to be fulfilled by Tibetans to avail the 5-year extension of their stay, which includes production of supporting letter from the CTA and certificate of character and antecedent. The 5-year extension of RC will come into effect once the states receive the centre’s notification, and evolve a standard procedure in consultation with the Central Tibetan Administration. Till then, we appeal to Tibetans to renew their RCs in accordance with the present regulations,” Kalon Tripa said.

Kalon Tripa said the administration also raised the problems faced by the newly-arrived Tibetan refugees who come to India on Special Entry Permits issued by embassy of India Kathmandu. These Tibetans come to specified purposes of (1) education, (2) pilgrimage, (3) meeting relatives and (4) other purposes.

“The Tibetans who come to India for the purpose of education are allowed extension of stay for another six months or one year if they wish to continue their education,” Kalon Tripa said.

Tibetans entering India for pilgrimage purposes, on SEP valid for one month are given Registration Certificate by the concerned FRROs/FROs for the duration of the SEP.

“Concerning the case of around 400 newly arrived Tibetan refugees who came for pilgrimage, we have raised it several times with the Indian government through the Bureau of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Delhi. Accordingly, India’s home ministry issued a directive to register them first and that they will be allowed to stay in India up to June 2012,” Kalon Tripa said.