Dharamshala, 28 March 2026: Presided over by Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, the twelfth day of the Eleventh Session of the 17th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile commenced with deliberations on the budget of the Department of Home (DoH).

Members commended the department’s overall performance, acknowledging the dedicated efforts of the DoH Kalon, along with its officials and staff. Discussions focused on the department’s wide-ranging initiatives and the allocation of budgetary resources to support them.

Penpa Tsering, Sikyong and incumbent Kalon of the Department of Home, responded to concerns and queries raised during the session. These included matters related to the renovation of the Jampaling Elder’s Home in Dharamshala and the provision of nutrient-rich diets for its elderly residents. The Kalon also addressed department’s initiatives aimed at equipping Tibetan youth with essential skills to enhance their career prospects and foster entrepreneurship.

Additionally, the Kalon provided updates on the Central Tibetan Administration’s Building Back Compact Community (BBCC) project, which seeks to sustain Tibetan settlements by rehabilitating refugees within them. He further elaborated on the CTA’s provision of retirement quarters to civil servants, irrespective of their posts at the time of retirement.

The House also discussed the poor condition of the road connecting Dharamshala to McLeodganj, which has remained severely damaged since last year’s rainy season. Given that McLeodganj is the residence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, members expressed serious concern over the situation. The DoH Kalon provided clarification and outlined steps taken with the relevant Indian authorities.

A motion of increment and a motion of reduction to the DoH budget was presented by DoH Kalon Penpa Tsering and supported by DoE Kalon Changra Tharlam Dolma.

The House approved the budget of the Department of Home, followed by the approval of the budgets for the Chief Representative Office of the South Zone and seven Tibetan settlements without Local Tibetan Assemblies. These included settlement offices in Delhi, Sharkhum, Dickey Larsoe, Darjeeling, Lugsam, Lotserok (Nepal), and Dorpattan (Nepal).

Following this, a motion of increment to the budget of Kashag was tabled and subsequently approved. Likewise, the Special Recurring budget of the Department of Security (DoS) was sanctioned.

The day concluded with the reading of leaves of absence and next week’s list of business by the Secretary-General, Sonam Dorjee.

Today’s session was attended by Dattatreya Hosabale, Sarkaryavah (General Secretary) of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), who led a delegation of the RSS observers.

The session adjourned at 4:30 PM.

– Report filed by Tibetan Parliamentary Secretariat