Troubled RCs to be renewed by March 2012

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Phayul
By Tendar Tsering

DHARAMSHALA-- Phayul has learned that the problem surrounding the renewal Registration Certificates (legal permit to stay in India) of around 300 Tibetans could be resolved in the coming months.

Speaking to Phayul, representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in New Delhi, Tenpa Tsering, who has been in constant touch with the Indian Home Ministry said that the Indian Government has responded positively to the issue.

“The Home Ministry in Delhi has kindly accepted to renew the RC for these Tibetans by March, 2012,” Tsering told Phayul.

The problem began when the Dharamshala Foreign Registration Office (FRO) declined renewal of more than 300 Tibetan citing clauses under the Foreigners’ Act of 1946.

More than 300 Tibetan new arrivals in Dharamshala were barred from renewing their RC in the recent months.

In an interview with Phayul, the newly elected Kalon Tripa Dr Lobsang Sangay had said that he was hopeful of a solution to the issue adding that welfare of new arrivals were amongst his top priorities.

But Tibetans involved in the issue continue to face problems.

"My RC has been expired and I went to the FRO many times but they are not renewing it," said Dolma, a Tibetan staying in town.

Staff at the Tibetan Welfare Office here in Dharamshala told Phayul that they were very much concerned about the issue.

"If RC is not renewed, then they can't get a bank account nor a SIM card," said a concerned staff at the Welfare Office.

Ngodup Dorje, Secretary of Security Department of the Central Tibetan Administration told Phayul that the problem stemmed from a technical issue whilst applying initially for RC.

“The FRO has stopped renewing the RCs of certain Tibetans who entered India either for pilgrimage or study purposes,” Dorje said.

“For example, Tibetans holding RC on the purpose of education are borne to face this newly encountered problem once their education is complete and they start working,” Dorje added.