Tibetans to get five-year registration certificates

Dharamsala, April 22 (IANS) Tibetans born in India and those living in the country for more than 20 years can now get the registration certificates essential for their stay renewed after every five years, a Tibetan official said Sunday.

'The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) has requested the Indian government about the problems faced by Tibetan refugees in renewing their RCs every one year or six months. The Indian government has consented to allow Tibetans born in India and those living in India for more than 20 years to get their RCs renewed after every five years,' a CTA statement quoting Tibetan prime minister-in-exile Lobsang Sangay said.

The CTA is an organisation based in India with the goals of rehabilitating Tibetan refugees and taking care of their needs. It is also called Tibetan government-in-exile and was founded by 14th Dalai Lama in 1959, after he fled to India.

Sangay said the home ministry of India has specified four conditions to be fulfilled by Tibetans to avail the five-year extension of their stay. which includes production of supporting letter from the CTA and certificate of character and antecedent.

'The five-year extension of RC will come into effect once the states receive the centre's notification and evolve a standard procedure in consultation with the CTA. Till then, we appeal to Tibetans to renew their RCs in accordance with the present regulations,' Sangay said.

He said the CTA also raised the problems faced by the newly arrived Tibetan refugees who came to India on special entry permits issued by embassy of India in Kathmandu in Nepal. These Tibetans came for specific purposes like education, pilgrimage and meeting their relatives.

'The Tibetans who come to India for the purpose of education are allowed extension of stay for another six months or one year if they wish to continue their education,' Sangay said.

On 400 newly-arrived Tibetan refugees on pilgrimage, he said 'India's home ministry has issued a directive to register them first and that they will be allowed to stay in India up to June 2012'.

According to a report titled 'Demographic Survey of Tibetans-in-Exile-2009', the total population of Tibetans outside Tibet stood at 127,935, comprising 70,556 males and 57,379 females.

'There are 94,203 Tibetans living in India, 13,514 in Nepal, 1,298 in Bhutan and 18,920 elsewhere,' it said.

The Tibetan government-in-exile has never been recognised from any country.