Department of Finance

Department of Finance is one of the major Departments under the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA). Prior to the inception of the Finance Department, the responsibility of all the financial and budgetary activities were shouldered by Gadrang Lobsang Rigzin, Kalon for Security Department till 1966.  Subsequently, a collective Finance Committee consisting of five members headed by Woeser Gyaltsen, Kalon for Department of Religious Affairs looked after the financial aspects of the CTA. On May 29, 1969, Department of Finance was incepted with Late Kasur Tsewang Tamdin as the first Kalon and Mr Lhundup Gyalpo as the first Secretary of the Department.

The main objective and role of the Department is to raise revenue for CTA to fulfil its mission and to prepare, execute and control its annual budget, issuing Green Book and management of voluntary contribution from Tibetans, various registered bodies and projects under the department.

The Finance Department started with an initial capital of Rs 72,983.79 and gradually strengthened its financial prospects with tremendous support from individual Tibetans, donations from International organizations, and engaging in various trade and commerce activities by the department.

In 2001, the 12th Kashag changed the existing financial policy and all business establishments run by the Department were privatized.

Currently, the Department of Finance is headed by Honorable Kalon Mr Karma Yeshi and executive secretary Ms Yeshi Wangmo for overseeing the activities of the Department. The current staff strength of the Department is fifty-three.

Former Kalons

• Tsewang Tamdin Jeshong (December 19, 1973 – March 15, 1983)
• Lobsang Dhargyal (March 16, 1983 – May 30, 1990)
• Kelsang Yeshi (June 01, 1990 – July 01, 1991)
• Tenzin Namgyal Tethong (August 09, 1991 – August 30, 1994)
• Dawa Tsering (September 01, 1994 – May 30, 1996)
• Soepa Gyatso (June 01, 1996 – September 04, 2001)
• Lobsang Nyandak Zayul (September 20, 2001 – August 14, 2006)
• Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche [Kalon Tripa] (August 15, 2006 – October 04, 2007)
• Tsering Dhundup (October 05, 2007 – August 07, 2011)
• Tsering Dhundup (September 16, 2011 – 31 May 2016)
  
• Karma Yeshi ( 1 June 2016 – Present )

Former Secretaries

• Lhundup Gyalpo (June 02, 1969 – December 05, 1972)
• Nyima Sangpo Taksim (December 06, 1972 – February 05, 1975)
• Gedhun Gelek (April 01, 1975 – February 20, 1980)
• Lobsang Dhargyal (May 01, 1980 – March 10, 1983)
• Dawa Tsering (March 21, 1983 – September 24, 1991)
• Tsering Tashi (September 25, 1991 – June 30, 1994)
• Tashi Phuntsok (July 01, 1994 – January 20, 1998)
• Namgyal Lhamo Taklha (May 07, 1997 – January 20, 1998)
• Thupten Tashi Anyetsang (January 21, 1998 – April 09, 2002)
• Tsering Dorjee Deshar (April 11, 2002 – October 26, 2003)
• Sonam Topgyal Khorlatsang (October 27, 2003 – February 28, 2010)
• Dawa Dorjee {Officiating} (March 01, 2010 – May 2012)
• Trinlay Gyatso (May 2012 – 2018)
• Yeshi Wangmo (8 October 2018 – Present)

There are five main divisions

1. Administration
2. Revenue Division
3. Expenditure Division
4. Welfare/Fund Raising Division.
5. Project Division

Mail:

Secretary
Department of Finance,
Central Tibetan Administration,
Dharamshala – 176215 
 H.P., India

Tel: +91-1892-223738 / 222487
Fax: +91-1892-222349
E-mail: [email protected]

1. Budget Section:

Central Tibetan Administration budgetary cycle follows one of the most comprehensive and institutionalized procedures. This section holds a vital role in the CTA`s budgetary cycle including planning, coordination and supervision. It monitors the expenditure flow from the allocated budget of each department and maintains its overall account. It is also responsible for monitoring the fiscal position of the CTA and it regulates the flow of revenue to the administration.

2. Expenditure Section:

It monitors the compliance of the expenditures of the departments with the budget allocation and Central Tibetan Administration policies. It determines the salary structures of CTA employees and it also offers recommendation on additional dearness allowance from time to time to the administration. It is also responsible for the determination and disbursement of retirement benefits to the retired CTA staff.

3. Vehicle Management:

The CTA’s official vehicles are managed and maintained by the Department of Finance under budget division. The annual maintenance, approvals and budgets for the vehicle are managed and supervised by the Department under this section.

Under the welfare and fundraising division, all the registered bodies of the Department comes under this section which is responsible for overseeing the related projects keeping in view the objectives of the registration. They are:

A. His Holiness the Dalai Lama Charitable Trust (HHDLCT):

His Holiness the Dalai Lama Charitable Trust is the first registered body under Indian Trust Act on January 20, 1964 at Calcutta whose registration was later in 1978, shifted to New Delhi. During the critical juncture of the Tibetans arriving in exile, His Holiness the Dalai Lama always desirous of taking care of needs of the Tibetan people registered his Trust to relieve the needs of the poor, education, medical aid and advancement of other objects of general public utility including religious purpose.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama Charitable Trust has been actively engaged since its inception. It adheres to the main aims and objectives to uplift the most downtrodden, destitute and needy people in general and particularly the Tibetan refugee community. The trust supports numerous socio-economic activities to fulfil the needs of the people by extending relief measures, health, education and preservation of the environment.

Aims and Objectives:

• – To provide aid for the propagation and advancement of education and learning.
• – To provide medical aid relief.
• – To provide relief to the poor, destitute and homeless.
• – To provide aid for the advancement of any other public charitable or religious purpose.
• – To establish, open, maintain and run school, colleges, institutions and boarding houses and houses of residence of pupils and teachers,
• – To establish, open, maintain and run hospitals, dispensaries, clinics and houses of residence for staff, run sanatoria housing for the poor, support public temples and religious institutions.
• – To make donations or subscriptions to any society, institutions, trust, or organization whether charitable or religious for advancement or promotion of objects as contemplated above.

Present Board of Trustees:

1. Dr Lobsang Sangay (Chairman)
2. Mr Karma Yeshi (Managing Trustees)
3. Mrs Jetsun Pema (Trustees)
4. Ven Lhakdor (Trustees)
5. Ven Ngawang Samten (Trustees)
6. Mr Desang Tsering (Trustees)

B. Tibetan Administration`s Welfare Society:

Tibetan Administration’s Welfare Society (TAWS) is a non-profit organization founded on February 22, 1988 and registered under the Societies Registration Act, XXI of 1860 in Delhi. The basic aim and objective of the society is to promote the overall development of the Tibetan refugees living in India.

Aims & Objectives:

• – Enhance the living condition of Tibetan refugees in India.
• – Enhance religious harmony and understanding.
• – Create employment and facilitate self-reliance of Tibetan refugees.
• – Promote traditional Tibetan medicines and handicrafts.
• – Assist victims of natural calamities and other disasters.
• – Work with charitable and voluntary agencies on projects and programs contributing to the social development of Tibetan refugees in India.
• – Make financial contributions toward the promotion of education, health, culture, rehabilitation, and public information for the benefit of the Tibetan refugees in India.

Current Governing Body members:

1. Dr Lobsang Sangay (Chairman)
2. Mr Karma Yeshi (Vice-Chairman)
3. Mrs Yeshi Wangmo (Member Secretary)
4. Mrs Tsewang Dolma (Member)
5. Mr Palden Dhondup (Member)
6. Mr Jigmey Namgyal (Member)
7. Dr Tenzin Legdup (Member)

C.  SOCIAL AND RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT FUND.

The Social and Resource Development Fund (SARD) was established in October 1997 and registered under the Societies Registration Act, XXI of 1860 in Dharamsala. It supports ongoing developments of the Tibetan community and to improve the livelihood of those Tibetans who desperately need help.

SARD works to raise fund for the Integrated Development Plan of CTA and individual projects of various departments of CTA. It seeks grants from international governments for sustainable development of the community. It coordinates between the donor agencies and implementing agencies with project planning, management, monitoring and evaluation to ensure effective implementation and sustained benefits from the project interventions.

Under SARD, there is a separate sub-section called Monitoring & Evaluation Section (M&E) which is responsible for overseeing the projects funded under SARD and provide necessary reports which would help the donors to understand the progress of the project. It provides on-ground monitoring report and evaluates the necessary suggestions needed for each project.

Objectives:

• – To assist the socio-economic rehabilitation of the Tibetans in exile with the goal to make them self-sufficient.
• – To support education, health and environmental awareness and employment programs in the community.
• – To help preserve and promote Tibetan religion, culture, arts and crafts, and to make the world aware of these disappearing culture and the importance of their preservation.
• – To generate income for the Emergency fund that provides support to the poorest in the community.
• – To support the development of democracy and democratic culture in the Tibetan Community, which looks forward to a Tibet where everyone will live in harmony with each other and with the natural environment.

Current Governing body members:

1. Dr Lobsang Sangay (Chairman)
2. Mr Karma Yeshi (Vice-Chairman)
3. Mr Yeshi Wangmo (Member Secretary)
4. Mr. Chimey Rigzin Choekyapa (Member)
5. Mr. Tenzin Legdup (Member)
6. Mr. Tenzin Norsang (Member)

Within revenue division, there are three sections which deal with generating CTA’s revenue for various projects. They are:

• Chatrel Section: (Also known as voluntary contribution)

To look after the present and future welfare of Tibetan people, a firm and stable administration is important, therefore a mass movement to voluntarily contribute to CTA was started in early 1972. A group of devoted Tibetans at Sarnath, Varanasi spearheaded the movement and on July 30, 1972, a unanimous resolution to form Tibetan Freedom Movement and contribute to CTA was passed. As on August 1, 1972, the voluntary contribution by all the Tibetans spread across all pockets of Tibetan refugees’ settlements and community. Subsequently, on the basis of the resolution, the 11th Assembly of Tibetan People’s Deputy adopted a bill to pay voluntary contribution (Chatrel) on a regular basis and tariff.

By paying a voluntary contribution to CTA, it signifies allegiance of Tibetans to Central Tibetan Administration as their legitimate Government and rejection of Chinese occupation.

• Data Section:

Under the promulgation of Central Tibetan Administration charter, every Tibetan above the age of six years has the right to possess Green book and this office firmly discharges its main task to issue Green Book to each and every individual Tibetan with a legitimate claim of being the subject under the Central Tibetan Administration. This office meticulously manages a comprehensive database of green book holders so as to accurately verify the identity of any Tibetan refugee and also to eliminate any data redundancy. In recent years, an upgrade to the new green book has been made with 9 alphanumeric characters indicating the country code and the digital numbers with the latest technologies.

Green Book has been recognized by international governments for its authenticity and it is the duty of every individual to preserve this sanctity. We firmly request each and everyone to make sure to have a Green book by making your yearly contribution and possess a valid Green book with the 9-digit alphanumeric Green book.

• Blue Book:

To strengthen the alliance with the international supporters of the cause of Tibet and to help preserve the rich Tibetan culture and tradition, the Blue Book project was started in 1996. The individual or organizational foreign friends of Tibet voluntarily contribute a monetary sum to help enhance the mission and activities of CTA.

The department will endeavour to strengthen the project to contribute to the international communities’ goodwill towards the Tibetan cause.

Department of Finance also implements various projects directly beneficial for the Tibetans such as Entrepreneurship Development, Women Empowerment, Financing Services and Opportunities for Voluntary services within CTA. They are:

• Tibetan Entrepreneurship Development (TED):

TED is one of the initiative of the Department of Finance which provides end-to-end business development services to the Tibetan entrepreneurs in India and Nepal. It also aims to build an enabling ecosystem for Tibetans. By linking Tibetans to global entrepreneurship trends, and by accelerating their access to value-add networks and focused patient capital in a variety of sectors, TED aims to unleash the economic and social impact of Tibetan entrepreneurs to the Tibetan Diaspora’s sustainability.  Through its focus on entrepreneurship education at schools and across the Tibetan settlements in India, TED will leverage the demonstrated capability and affinity of Tibetans to start new ventures to transform them into enterprises that are capable of competing with non-Tibetan start-ups and businesses, and capture market-share within Tibetan communities and outside alike. As the next generation of Tibetans come to the forefront in leadership positions within the exile community, it has become imperative for CTA to evolve and become competitive in its services. The development of the Tibetan Entrepreneurship Development (TED) is recommended as one of the major avenues for pivoting paradigm-shifting and sustainable change.

• Women Empowering Desk (WED):

In 2008, the Central Tibetan Administration adopted the first-ever Tibetan Women’s Empowerment policy with an objective to enable Tibetan women and girls to participate as equal partners in all socio-economic and political activities. In 2017, the policy was revised and enhanced to better enable Tibetan women to fully participate and contribute to Tibetan society and the world. The Women’s Empowerment Desk of CTA was established to implement this policy and to achieve these goals. The main objective of the Women’s Empowerment Desk (WED) is to build a gender-just and inclusive Tibetan community. We work to ensure that all the CTA programs are gender-inclusive, where women, men and others participate and benefit equally. Women’s Empowerment Desk has been associated with organising different programs and projects over the years. Some of the key initiatives include training and workshops on gender-sensitivity, women’s empowerment, women leadership, sexual and reproductive health, legal empowerment, economic empowerment. They also did research and development study on the status of Tibetan women & girls and gender equity. It also aims to strengthen the CTA capacity to address key issues facing Tibetan women and girls.

• Gang-Jong Development Finance Private Limited (GDF):

Gang-Jong Development Finance Private Limited was incorporated on 27th November 2017, as an unlisted company, registered with Registrar of Companies in the state of Himachal Pradesh (HP). The registered office of the company is located at Gangchen Kyishong, Dharamshala, Kangra, HP 176215, India. The company is registered with the Reserve Bank of India for carrying on business as Non-Banking Finance Company (Non- Deposit Taking). Gang-Jong will aim to provide need-based and competitively priced loan products to the micro and small enterprises, the community of small businessmen and entrepreneurs in hill stations and tourist areas by understanding their financial needs, repaying capacity. Apart from providing loans, Gang-Jong will provide consulting, training and support services to the constituent clients.

• Tibet Corps (Volunteer Services):

Tibet Corps is also, one of the Department of Finance projects which offers Tibetan professionals, university students, and retirees an opportunity and platform to serve the Tibetan community through voluntary service. The program seeks to inspire Tibetans to strengthen the community, its institutions and the Central Tibetan Administration. The overall goal is to mobilize professionals, both active and retired, and young leaders in the Tibetan refugee community and diaspora as a skilled voluntary workforce. It seeks to create a knowledgable community that will support the development of a vibrant, resilient and stronger Tibetan movement, poised to serve Tibet and Tibetans for generations. Service opportunities are available with host institutions within the CTA campus in Dharamsala, clinics, schools and settlement offices located across India and Nepal as well as with organizations affiliated with the CTA.

This section looks after the administrative issues pertaining to the departmental and individual level.  It liaisons for intra and inter-department of Central Tibetan Administration. It is the most important division which is responsible for managing, planning and executing all the support services within the Department. It also looks after the welfare of the staff, overall administration management, staff job allocation & description and CTA’s overall stationary management. Under the administration division, there are two sections directly managed and supervised by the administration. They are:

• CTA Staff Mess:

CTA staff mess provides catering services to the CTA staff on subsidized rate however it provides only lunch facilities during the office time. Currently, there are six staff including a staff mess manager who oversees the day to day operations of the mess.

• TAWS Gas:

TAWS Gas services were managed by the Department of Finance with the aim of providing gas cylinder and stove services to the Tibetan and locals around Dharamsala. It is one of the registered body under the Indian gas distribution agency.

After the brutal occupation of Tibet by the People’s Republic of China, His Holiness the Dalai Lama followed by thousands of Tibetans escaped to India for refuge with the mission to restore freedom in Tibet. Soon after arriving in exile, the Central Tibetan Administration was established to fulfil its mission, and the financial activities of the administration were entrusted initially to various committees. However, to create a centralized institution to look after the financial needs of the administration, the Department of Finance was instituted formally on 29 May 1960. Since then many economic and income generation programs were undertaken to meet the financial needs of the Administration and Tibetan refugees. Amongst the many programs initiated, Chatrel (voluntary) contribution by every Tibetans has been one of the longest-standing programs and today it has become one of the main financial resources for the administration. If we look back to assess the achievements, we have been successful in achieving the broad purpose for which this department was instituted. These achievements were possible due to the relentless efforts and strategic thinking of all those who have worked with this department in various capacities since its inception.

I and my colleagues in the department are always grateful to all of them and our supporters and well-wishers for their contributions. There are many challenges before us due to the growing responsibilities of the administration and growing population of the Tibetan refugees at large. In order to fulfil these responsibilities and overcome the challenges, more initiatives need to be taken. Some of the important initiatives that we plan to take in the coming days are: widening the Solidarity Alliance (Blue Book) contribution program, fund mobilization for important developmental and welfare activities, enhance micro-enterprises amongst the youth in the settlements, explore the possible establishment of a community-lending institution for professional studies and micro-entrepreneurial developments.

We urge all our supporters and friends to extend their valuable support to overcome these challenges. We believe that with your support, the department will continue to harvest profitable partnerships with both individuals and institutions to further elevate the progress that has been made in the last six decades.

Karma Yeshi

Kalon, Department of Finance

January 2021