Dharamshala, 17 March 2026: Chaired by Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, the second day of the Eleventh Session of the 17th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile commenced at 9:30 AM.

The session began with DoF Kalon Penpa Tsering (Sikyong) addressing queries raised by members of the House. It was followed by Choedak Gyatso, Chair of the Budget Estimate Committee, who provided further clarifications on the issues discussed.

During his address, the Sikyong responded to questions regarding financial assistance from the United States. He noted that the U.S. Fiscal Year 2026 Appropriations Bill includes specific reference to the Central Tibetan Administration, acknowledging it as the Tibetan government-in-exile. This development was widely welcomed by members of Parliament as a significant diplomatic milestone.

The session then proceeded with the continuation of deliberations and approvals on the proposed budgets for various departments and offices under the Central Tibetan Administration for the fiscal year 2026–2027. Discussions began with the Parliamentary Secretariat, covering the Nyechen Budget, Recurring Budget, Special Recurring Budget, and Surkyol Budget, all of which were approved.

Subsequently, the House reviewed and approved the proposed budgets of the Tibetan Supreme Justice Commission and its affiliated local justice commissions. This included the Nyechen, Recurring, Special Recurring, and Surkyol Budgets of the Supreme Justice Commission, as well as the Recurring and Special Recurring Budgets of the Northern, Southern, and Ladakh Local Tibetan Justice Commissions, and the Recurring Budget of the Tibetan Circuit Justice Commission.

Thereafter, the Recurring and Special Recurring Budgets of the 37 Local Tibetan Assemblies were approved, with a motion to increase the allocation for the Puruwala Local Tibetan Assembly, tabled by DoF Kalon Penpa Tsering and supported by DoS Kalon Gyari Dolma.

The House also unanimously approved the Recurring, Special Recurring, and Surkyol budgets of the Kashag Secretariat after due deliberation. During the discussion, several parliamentarians raised questions regarding AI-related projects as well as on the need for an Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy within the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA). These concerns were duly addressed by DoF Kalon Penpa Tsering.

During the deliberations on the budget of the Department of Security (DoS), concerns were raised regarding the recent arrest of a Chinese national in McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala, for residing there without a valid visa. The issue was highlighted in the context of security sensitivities, given that McLeod Ganj is the residence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Deliberations on the Recurring Budget of the Department of Security remain ongoing and will continue in the next sitting.

The session was adjourned at 5:00 PM.

– Report filed by Tibetan Parliamentary Secretariat