By Tenzin Nyidon
DHARAMSHALA, Mar 19: A substantial increase in the budget by almost 30 Crores (35,86,100.85 USD) for the fiscal year 2024-25 was proposed by the administration on Monday during the first day of the budget session (seventh session) of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile. The session is scheduled for 12 days from March 18 to 30, 2024.
The executive branch of the exile Tibetan government proposed a budget totalling over Rs. 333 Crore (4,01,49,908 USD). This represents a substantial rise of almost 30 Crores (35,86,100.85 USD) from the previous year’s allocation, reflecting an overall increase of 9.8%.
A significant portion of the budget, totalling 232 Crore (69.92%), has been earmarked for social-related expenses, 59.5 Crore (17.87%) for political-related expenses, and 40.6 Crore (12.21%) for administrative-related expenses.
The new budget sanctioned for the fiscal year 2024-25 saw 30% of the unspent budget from two previous fiscal years (2020-21 and 2021-22). 15% of the budget was incorporated for the next fiscal year from both the preceding fiscal years 2020-21 and 2021-22. The reallocated funds from the previous fiscal years, totalling 30% of the unspent budget, are to be utilised over the course of the next five years, according to the established rule of law.
The 7th session of the parliament commenced with a focus on the deteriorating situation inside Tibet. The session opened with an official solidarity motion, shedding light on the proposed construction of a dam in Derge, which will result in the displacement of thousands of residents and several monasteries in the region.
Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, the speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile in his address, highlighting the political status of Tibet amidst the recent observance of the 65th anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising Day. In his speech, the Speaker urged all members of the parliament to unite and work diligently towards resolving the Tibet issue.
