Dharamshala: The Compliance Cell under the Department of Finance, Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), successfully organised its second batch of compliance training for Tibetan Societies registered under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). The two-day training which is being held on 12 and 13 November, 2025 at Administrative Training & Welfare Society (ATWS) in Dharamshala is being attended by 28 representatives from Tibetan Societies & Trust based in North and North East Tibetan Settlements in India.

The training is organised in collaboration with CPA Consultancy Firm and conducted by Sujata Samal, an experienced consultant specialising in FCRA, Income Tax and Societies Registration compliance. The sessions focus on enhancing participant’s understanding of key legal frameworks, including the provisions of the FCRA, Income Tax Act and the Societies Registration Act of the Government of India.

The training programme began with an inaugural address by Tsering Dhondup, Executive Secretary of the Department of Finance. In his speech, he emphasised the importance of adhering to Government of India (GoI) compliance requirements and highlighted the 16th Kashag’s objectives of strengthening and ensuring the sustainability of Tibetan Societies in India. He urged the registered societies representatives to diligently comply with state society laws and the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) regulations governed by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). Dhondup also informed the participants that, unlike previous regulations, the revised FCRA laws are more stringent and non-compliance could result in the revocation of FCRA registration, potentially affecting the societies long-term sustainability. He further explained the objectives behind the establishment of the Compliance Cell under the Department of Finance, CTA and underscored CTA’s vital role in assisting the registered Tibetan societies & trust across India in maintaining legal compliance. He concluded by outlining the cell’s future initiatives aimed at strengthening financial and administrative accountability within the Tibetan community.

As part of the programme, the Compliance Cell invited Jigme Jugney, Representative of the Bureau of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, New Delhi, to share insights on current FCRA-related challenges and the Bureau’s ongoing efforts to address issues faced by Tibetan societies in India. He explained the rationale behind the formulation of the FCRA by the Government of India and emphasised the importance of strict compliance with its provisions. He highlighted that many Tibetan societies & trusts still lack proper documentation and urged them to maintain essential records such as registration licenses, certificates, and reports related to their organisations. He also cited instances where societies had incurred penalties for non-compliance or had submitted unreasonable appeals under FCRA. Previously, there were only three such cases but currently, 27 societies & trusts are facing FCRA-related issues. Representative Jugney further reminded participants about key requirements, including disclosure of FCRA members, reporting of foreign contribution (FC) fund transfers, updates on changes in executive members and timely submission of renewal forms.

The primary objective of CTA in establishing the compliance cell is to support the Registered Tibetan societies & trusts across India by creating greater awareness of the legal requirements under the FCRA and Income Tax Act. The Compliance Cell seeks to enhance the long-term sustainability of these organisations by addressing the growing challenges faced by societies and trusts in meeting statutory compliance obligations. It further aims to strengthen financial governance, accountability and transparency within Tibetan organisations and ensuring their continued legal and operational stability.

The Compliance Cell is scheduled to conduct the third batch of training sessions for FCRA-registered Tibetan societies & trusts from North India, including the Dharamshala, Bir and Tashi Jong Settlements from 3 to 4 December 2025 at ATWS, Dharamshala.

-Report filed by Department of Finance, CTA