Panel set up on Dalai's proposal

DHARAMSHALA: The exiled Tibetan parliament currently debating the issue of Dalai Lama’s formal proposal to retire from his political duties has formed a committee to look into the matter. The panel members are de facto prime minister of Tibet SamdhongRinpoche, deputy speaker of the Tibetan parliament-in-exile Dolma Gyar and oneparliamentarian. After studying his proposal in detail, the committee wouldsubmit the report to parliament on March 23 outlining how to move on thisimportant matter entwined with future of Tibetans. The ongoing budget session ofthe exiled Tibetan parliament would conclude on March 25. TheTibetan assembly would have to decide that whether the matter be referred toeither select committee or it would be taken care of by the 15th parliament forwhich elections were held on Sunday. A parliamentarian also saidthat some of the members of the outgoing parliament wanted absolute redraftingof the charter of Tibetans (constitution) to pave the way for transition ofDalai Lama’s authorityto the new elected leadership in smooth manner. TheDalai Lama had asked the Tibetans to accept his decision to retire frompolitical duties. Meanwhile, in the Karmapa case, Rubi Chosang alias Shakti Lama appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) Chandigarh on Monday pertaining to the investigation in the recovery of huge haul of foreign currency from the monastery at Sidhbarri about eight kilometres from Dharamshala during the raids conducted by the state police. The police had raided the premises of the Gyutso monas-tery at Sidhbari in January raising suspicions about 17th Karmapa, Ogyene Trinley Dorjee, suspected Chinese links. Sources said Chosang was questioned about the financial transactionsand management of the money at the monastery. Earlier, monasteryofficials had also deposited $1,50,000 with the ED on Thursday. The Karmapa wascurrently away to Bodh Gaya in connection with teachings. The monastery had allalong maintained that the money found had been offerings and donations made bydevotees visiting from various parts of the world.