Department of Finance
Introduction
The Department of Finance came into existence on 29 May 1969, is one of the seven departments of Central Tibetan Administration (CTA). The main aim and objective of the department is to raise revenues for CTA in order to fulfill the mission of keeping the Tibetan identity alive and achieving the legitimate rights of the Tibetans.
Besides raising revenues, it is involved in a number of activities that contribute directly to the seamless functioning of CTA. All the financial and budgetary related works of CTA are handled at the Finance Department. The budgetary processes are initiated and processed here before the final budget is submitted to the parliament for the approval. Chatrel Books are issued from this department after all the necessary documents are verified and processed. Chatrel is aggregated, controlled, and tracked from here. The department is, however, not directly involved in the Chatrel collection from people, but other entities collect Chatrel and forward it to us. It is also responsible for managing the external grants for various social and welfare activities, besides raising funds for the social development projects.
The department is headed by the Finance Minister, Tsering Dhondup, who is assisted by the Secretary, Sonam Topgyal Khorlatsang, in running the department. There are three divisional heads, headed by one Additional Secretary and two Joint Secretaries. The total staff strength in the department, including temporary employees and time bound contractual workers, currently stands at 35.
Organizational Structure
There are three main divisions – (1) Revenue Division, (2) Expenditure Division, and (3) Trust/TAWS Division. Within Revenue Division, there are three units – Chatrel, Data, and Administration; likewise, within Expenditure Division, there are two units – Budget and Expenditure; similarly, within Trust/TAWS Division, there are three units – Trust/TAWS, External Grants, SARD and Research & Policy.
Units: There are total eight different units in the Paljor Office performing various tasks. Each unit plays an integral part in the success of the overall mission of the Department of Finance.
- Chatrel Unit: The main function of Chatrel Unit is to collect Chatrel from Tibetans all over the world. Chatrel is a yearly token financial contribution from an individual Tibetan to the exile government in the form of tax with dual purpose of rendering legitimacy to the exile government and providing financial assistance to its operational expenses. This financial contribution partially helps in overall expenses of the exile government. The Tibetans living India, Nepal and Bhutan pay their Chatrel through Tibetan Freedom Movement (TFM) Offices; whereas the Tibetans living in the rest of the world pay their Chatrel to the nearest Office of Tibet. There are 12 Office of Tibet in 12 different countries and 76 TFM offices – 52 in India, 17 in Nepal, and 7 in Bhutan.
- Data Unit: Its task is to approve and issue Green Book for new applicants. Any Tibetan who has aged 6 or more is obligated to apply for Green Book and become a full-fledged member of the exile Tibetan community. The Green Book affirms that the individual is a legitimate exile Tibetan who is affiliated to the Tibetan Exile Government.The data unit meticulously manages a comprehensive database of Green Book holders so as to accurately verify the identity of any Tibetan refugee and also to eliminate any data redundancy. It is their mission to ensure the integrity and security of the database.
- Administration Unit: Its function is to act as a liaison for intra and inter departments of CTA. It coordinates with other departments of CTA on issue that requires cooperation at the departmental level. It also functions as a Human Resources Department in managing employee’s time-offs, such as vacation, casual leave, sick leave, etc. It also helps to interpret the policy of CTA in terms of employee’s compensation and benefits. At the departmental level, all the employee related issues are addressed through this unit.
- Budget Unit: It plays a vital role in the CTA’s budgetary cycle- including planning, coordination and supervision. It monitors the expenditure flow from the allocated budget of each department and maintains its overall account. It is also responsible for monitoring the fiscal position of the CTA and regulating the flow of revenue to the administration.In case a department requests for an additional funding that is not a part of the original budget, it works with Kashag Office for its approval. It also provides necessary guidance to departments/offices on Budgeting Rules and Regulations.
- Expenditure Unit: It ensures that all the expenditures of the CTA departments are in compliance with the CTA policies and is within the yearly budget allocations. It determines the salary structure of CTA employees and also offers recommendation on additional dearness allowance on certain individuals. It is also responsible for the determination and disbursement of retirement benefits to the retired CTA staffs.
- Trust/ TAWS Unit: It looks after the overall operation of the two non-profit organizations, i.e., H.H. the Dalai Lama’s Charitable Trust (“Trust”) and Tibetan Administration’s Welfare Society (“TAWS”). Both the entities are registered under the Societies Registration Act, XXI of 1860. These two NGOs are promoting the preservation of Tibetan culture and religion, besides supporting welfares of Tibetan refugees and providing education to their children. The Governing Body members of the organizations provide the guidance and directions to the organizations.
- External Grants Unit: This department is responsible for the external grants obtained by CTA from the various governments and international donor organizations. Social and Resource Development (SARD) is the principal body responsible for coordinating various welfare activities initiated by the different departments and funded through donor agencies. The SARD works to raise fund for the projects that are part of the Integrated Development Plans (IDP).Depending on the funding availability, it approves project proposals. It undertakes the overall management and control of various social welfare projects to make sure that they are properly implemented.It coordinates with the Tibetan Solidarity Alliance and issues Blue Book to any non-Tibetan friend who believes in Tibetan’s just-cause and wants to make financial contribution to the exile government.
- Research and Policy Unit: The main idea behind setting up Research and Policy Department within the Department of Finance is to promote entrepreneurship among Tibetans in the exile community. It reviews economic developments within our community and provides necessary guidance in promoting the businesses. It undertakes biannual publication of business bulletin containing business news and information on business opportunities. It is also involved in refining the processes within the department so as to increase the efficiency and productivity.
 Contact Address:
Secretary
Department of Finance
Central Tibetan Administration
Dharamshala - 176215
H.P., INDIA
Tel: +91-1892-223738 / 222487
Fax: +91-1892-222349
E-mail: finance@gov.tibet.net
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