Representative Penpa Tsering relieved from office through legal provisions: Officiating Sikyong

By Lobsang Tenchoe

DHARAMSALA, Nov 9: Religion and Culture Kalon Ven Karma Gelek Yuthok, the officiating President of Central Tibetan Administration(CTA) cited inefficiency of former Speaker Penpa Tsering and the current Representative of North America as the main reason to replace him at a press meet held today at his office.

“The Kashag had to send three advisory letters to Representative Penpa Tsering to express its dissatisfaction on the way he handled his responsibility since assuming office,” the Officiating President of CTA disclosed.

“Within a span of 11 months since he assumed his office in August last year, three advisory letters were sent to him urging him to improve the way he handles his responsibility. The last advisory letter was sent in July this year, but there were no improvements in the ensuing three months. Hence it was decided to relieve him from the post,” Ven Karma Gelek Yuthok added.

However, Penpa Tsering claimed that he received only the last advisory letter which stated that he is not respecting the President of the CTA as well as not upholding the Tibetan Public Service Commission rules and regulations, according to a report on RFA Tibetan Section.

But the officiating President made no disclosure about the specification of the rules and regulations which Penpa Tsering is said to have failed to abide by, citing it as an official secret and as per the practice.

Talking about the legality and viability of the Kashag’s move of relieving Penpa Tsering from the office, the Officiating President said, “Like his appointment, which was done in accordance with the provisions of the Tibetan Charter and the Tibetan Public Service Commission rules and regulations, the same have been applied to relieve him of the post.”

“The Kashag holds Penpa Tsering in high regard for his tenure as the Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile. But unfortunately, he failed to uphold his responsibilities and duties in the same vein as the representative in DC. Therefore, he is being replaced. But we wish him all the best in his future endeavours,” Ven Karma Gelek Yuthok said and concluded by saying, “There will be no changes on Kashag’s appointment of Education Kalon Ngodup Tsering as the new Representative of North America in DC.”

The Kashag of the Central Tibetan Administration appointed Education Kalon Ngodup Tsering as the new Representative of North America based in Washington DC as per Chapter 1 Article 1(3) of the Tibetan Charter and Article 19(1) of the Tibetan Public Service Commission rules and regulations, according to a circular issued on Nov 7, 2017.