(TibetanReview.net, Jul17’24) – The Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Brigadier (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd), has on Jul 16 asked the executive head, Sikyong Penpa Tsering, of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), to give a prioritised list of development projects so that the Union Territory Administration could address the needs of the Tibetan people living in the Changthang region effectively, reported 10net.in Jul 16.
The meeting took place in Ladakh’s capital Leh on the Sikyong’s conclusion of his tour of the Tibetan settlements in the Union Territory which began on Jul 8.
The report said the Lt Governor asked Chief Representative Officer of Sonamling Tibetan Settlement in Choglamsar, Leh, to meet with his Advisor, Dr Pawan Kotwal, IAS, to review and prioritise the developmental works.
While talking about the exile Tibetan community in general, the Sikyong has informed the Lt Governor that Tibetans currently lived in 25 countries, and at 37 locations across India.
The day before, the Sikyong met with Mr Tashi Gyalson, the Chief Executive Councillor (CEC) of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development council, Leh, who reiterated steadfast commitment to ensuring the welfare of the Tibetan community, reported ladakh.gov.in Jul 15.
The report said key developmental initiatives such as the Vibrant Village Programme (VVP), Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNEGRA), and Sustainable Development Programme (SDP) and other Centrally Sponsored Schemes of Government of India were thoroughly discussed.
Ladakh was previously reported to have included Tibetans in the MNEGRA programme.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between TCV schools and the Council would be formalized with the aim to leverage the exemplary status of these schools, endorsed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, to elevate educational standards and opportunities for students attending these institutions.
Support for the promotion of medicinal plant cultivation programme of the Men-Tsee-Khang (or Tibetan Medical and Astro Institute) of the CTA was also stated to have been pledged.
Besides, the CEC has pledged continued support for the upliftment of the Tibetan communities in the Union Territory in terms of enhancing living standards and fostering sustainable development.
It was an interactive meeting in which top elected and administrative officials of the Council also took part.
Addressing the Tibetan people after his meeting with the Lt Governor and at the conclusion of his tour of the Tibetan settlements in the Union Territory, Sikyong Penpa Tsering has outlined plans to enhance the efficiency of the CTA, emphasising digital transformation and data-driven governance to better serve the Tibetan exile community worldwide.
Starting from Choglamsar, the Sikyong was reported to have visited all the Tibetan settlements in Jangthang (or Changthang) over the past one week or so.