By Tenzin Monlam
DHARAMSHALA, August 17: The state of Arunachal Pradesh has officially adopted the Tibetan Rehabilitation Policy Act, an Act introduced in 2014 by the government of India to assist in the welfare of the Tibetan refugees residing in India.
“I am happy to inform that in the cabinet meeting convened by me on 12 August 2017, I along with my colleagues decided to adopt and extend the Tibetan rehabilitation policy 2014 in the state of Arunachal Pradesh,” Chief Minister Pema Khandu wrote to the President of Central Tibetan Administration Dr. Lobsang Sangay.
CM Khandu confirming the decision told Sikyong, “As you are aware, Arunachal Pradesh has the fourth largest number of Tibetans in India. We have four Tibetan settlements Tezu, Miao, Tuting and Tenzingang. Therefore, in order to provide better opportunities to Tibetan youths, my cabinet resolved to implement the Tibetan Rehabilitation Policy 2014.”
President Sangay in his acknowledgement said, “I thank my dear friend Shri Pema Khandu who is an ardent follower of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and life long friend of the Tibetan people. The state of Arunachal Pradesh shares an unshakeable and historic bond with the Tibetan people. This gesture will further strengthen this bond of friendship and affinity between the two.”
The President also recalled the former Arunachal CM, late Dorjee Khandu for his ‘significant contribution towards the welfare of the Tibetan people.’
Mundgod Tibetan settlement, one of the largest Tibetan settlements in India, became the first Tibetan settlement to officially sign a land lease agreement under the Rehabilitation Policy Act. A similar agreement was also signed in Hunsur Tibetan settlement and Dhondenling Tibetan Settlement, Kollegal.
According to the guideline of the 7-paged rehabilitation policy, also introduced in Himachal Pradesh and Uttrakhand, it deals with matters concerning land lease, extending Central and States benefits. The guideline states that Tibetans may be allowed to undertake any economic activity and to that extent, relevant papers/trade license/permit may be issued to them and also permit to take jobs in any field for which they are professionally qualified.
