DHARAMSHALA: The Kashag issued a circular dated June 21 announcing a revised seating arrangement for the President, Chief Justice Commissioner, Speaker of Tibetan Parliament and other senior officials of the Central Tibetan Administration during official ceremonies and functions.

The circular stated: “Since the complete devolution of political authority by His Holiness the Dalai Lama to a democratically-elected Kalon Tripa on 8 August 2011, the entire political and administrative affairs are being handled by an elected leadership. As a result, due amendments to that effect were made to the Charter of the Tibetan people in exile.”

“Similarly, changes in the seating arrangement protocol for members of the Tibetan leadership during official ceremonies and functions were also found necessary. However, except for suggestions and discussions on the same, a formal change was not mandated till now.”

“Recently, the Kashag of the Central Tibetan Administration on 17 April 2017 instituted a three-member committee composed of one secretary and two former Secretaries  to review the existing seating arrangement system. Following an in-depth assessment, the committee came out with a report on 8 June 2017 recommending certain changes in the existing seating arrangement protocol during official ceremonies and functions.”

“The Kashag accepted the recommendations and formally announced the changes, urging all concerned authorities to raise awareness about the same.”

Speaking to Tibet TV,  Secretary of Kashag Topgyal Tsering Zongkha explained the changes and said that the ammendment in the new seating arrangement was an imperative since the devolution of political authorities of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to an elected political leadership. The change evinces the seminal role and importance of President’s position.”

“Irrespective of who comes to hold the post of CTA President (Sikyong) in the future, as the head of the Central Tibetan Administration he/ she will be deemed holding the pivotal position and shouldering of responsibilities.”

Protocol According to New Seating Arrangement:

1. President of Central Tibetan Administration
2. Chief Justice Commissioner
3. Speaker of Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile
4. Deputy Speaker of Tibetan parliament-in-Exile
5. Justice Commissioners
6. Kalons
7. Former Sikyong and Kalon Tripa
8. Former Chief Justice Commissioners
9. Former Speaker of Tibetan Parliament
10. Former Deputy Speaker of Tibetan Parliament
11. Former Justice Commissioners
12. Former Kalons
13. Lha Gyari Trichen (when not in costume)
14. Yabshi family members
15. Election Commissioner
16. Commissioner of Public Service Commission
17. Auditor General
18. Additional Election Commissioners
19. Members of the Public Service Commission
20. Former Heads of the Autonomous bodies
21. Members of Tibetan Parliament
22. Former members of Tibetan Parliament
23. Medium of Nechung oracle
24. Secretary of Gaden Phodrang office
25. Kashag Secretary
26. Parliamentary Secretary
27. Secretary of Tibetan Supreme Justice Commission
28. Secretary of Department of Religion and Culture
29. Secretary of Department of Home
30. Secretary of Department of Finance
31. Secretary of Department of Education
32. Secretary of Department of Security
33. Secretary of Department of Information and International Relations
34. Secretary of Department of Health
35. Secretary of Public Service Commission
36. Secretary of Office of the Auditor General
37. Other Secretaries according to seniority
38. Offices of Tibet
39. Bureau of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, New Delhi
40. Office of Tibet, Washington DC
41. Office of Tibet, Nepal
42. Office of Tibet, Switzerland
43. Office of Tibet, Tokyo
44. Office of Tibet, London
45. Office of Tibet, Brussels
46. Office of Tibet, Russia
47. Office of Tibet, Australia
48. Office of Tibet, South Africa
49. Office of Tibet, Taiwan
50. Office of Tibet, South America
51. Guests (to be seated along with members of Tibetan Parliament)
52. Retired Secretaries
53. Additional Secretaries
54. Personal physicians of His Holiness the Dalai Lama (to be seated along with Members of Tibetan Parliament)
55. Medium of Gadhong oracle
56. Medium of Lamo Tsangpa oracle
57. Medium of Tsering Chenga Oracle
58. Medium of Nyenchen Thangla oracle
59. Chairman of Tibetan Sowa Rigpa Association
60. Director of Sambhota Tibetan Schools Society
61. President of TCV
62. Director of Tibetan Medical and Astrological Institute
63. Director of LTWA
64. Director of TIPA
65. Administrator of Delek Hospital
66. Chairman of Norbulingka
67. Joint Secretaries along with serving and retired staff of CTA to be seated according to designation. Settlement officer of Dharamshala to be seated here with staff.
68. Principals and Rectors of Schools under Department of Education

Note:

1. Chancellor of CUTS, Director of Tibet House, Delhi, Dapon  (brigadier) of SFF, General Secretary of THF Mussorrie, are not included in the list as they are based outside Dharamshala. However, if they are present, they will be seated with members of Tibetan Parliament. TCV Upper and Lower are included as they are based in Dharamshala.
2. During ceremonies, CTA president, Chief Justice Commissioner and Justice Commissioners, Kalons and senior officials will be seated on the right.
3. On the left will be seated Speaker and Deputy Speaker of Tibetan Parliament, Medium of Nechung oracle, serving members of Tibetan parliament, Guests, Medium of Gadhong oracle, Medium of Lamo Tsangpa oracle, Medium of Tsering Chenga Oracle, Medium of Nyenchen Thangla oracle, Chancellor of CUTS, Director of Tibet House, Dapon of SFF, General Secretary of THF, Principals and Rectors of Schools under DoE, manager of Sherig Parkhang, CEO and Chairman of FTCI, Chairman of local Tibetan assemblies, special guests.