Tenzin Nyidon
DHARAMSHALA, Aug. 28: The 25th Annual Conference of 15 Tibetan Cooperatives in India commenced on Wednesday at the Central Tibetan Administration’s Sikyong Hall here at the seat of the exile Tibetan government in exile, bringing together more than 30 representatives from 15 Tibetan cooperative societies, with speakers calling for greater accountability, strict adherence to cooperative laws, professional management, and stronger measures to ensure the movement’s long-term sustainability..
Organised by the Federation of Tibetan Cooperatives in India Ltd. (FTCI), the four-day conference, being held from August 27 to 30, is centred on financial performance, institutional governance, statutory compliance, and the long-term sustainability of the cooperative movement.
Addressing the gathering, FTCI President Pema Delek conveyed a message from His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, who highlighted the cooperative movement’s vital contribution to strengthening the economic security and livelihoods of Tibetans in exile. The Tibetan spiritual leader called for greater unity through collective decision-making, mutual assistance, and shared progress, while encouraging cooperatives to maintain cordial relations with local communities, uphold integrity, and extend support to vulnerable members of society.
The message comes as the Tibetan cooperative movement marks 21 years since the federation’s legal registration. Over the years, Tibetan cooperatives have contributed significantly to the economic stability of settlements by generating employment, providing essential services, and supporting local communities. FTCI President Pema Delek stated that the cooperative movement contributes 15% of its income to the CTA’s Department of Finance, while 33% is paid as income tax, with the remaining funds allocated towards the welfare, development, and improvement of the cooperatives.
CTA Home Department Minister Palden Dhondup described cooperatives as a key pillar of settlement welfare and an important source of employment, particularly for Tibetan youth. He emphasised that effective administration requires more than employees merely fulfilling routine duties. Managers and staff, he said, must take initiative, identify institutional weaknesses, address problems promptly, and pursue innovative solutions. He further stressed that integrity, commitment, and a strong sense of responsibility should guide cooperative secretaries and managers, cautioning that indecision and administrative delays can undermine institutional efficiency.
He also stressed the need for strict adherence to cooperative legislation and by-laws applicable in respective states. Referring to administrative difficulties in Bandara, Tezu, and Hunsur, he attributed some of the problems to procedural lapses, corruption and administrative misconduct. He warned that serious violations identified during government audits could invite action from state authorities, including the liquidation of a cooperative, potentially putting collectively owned community assets at risk. He urged present management committees to study the shortcomings of their predecessors, learn from past experiences, and adopt more effective administrative practices.
The Tibetan Parliament in Exile Speaker Dolma Tsering Teykhang echoed these concerns while recalling the early years of the cooperative movement. She noted that during the 1960s, Tibetans with limited formal education nevertheless devoted themselves to public service and helped build and sustain community institutions. Since the cooperative system came under a formal legal framework in 2005, she said, shareholders have assumed an even greater responsibility in ensuring capable and trustworthy leadership.
She urged members to consider integrity, leadership qualities and responsibility, alongside academic qualifications, when selecting managers, accountants and other office-bearers. She also raised concerns about declining commitment and cases in which individuals had allegedly absconded with cooperative funds, stressing that both management committees and shareholders must clearly understand and discharge their respective responsibilities.
The FTCI is registered under India’s Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act and functions as the apex organisation for 15 primary Tibetan cooperative societies operating across seven states. It supports marketing, economic welfare, resource sharing and joint business initiatives, while individual cooperatives remain responsible for their internal governance in accordance with applicable state laws and by-laws.
Against the backdrop of changing demographics, evolving consumer preferences and shifting market conditions, the conference is expected to examine strategies for improving legal compliance, administrative accountability, professional management and business diversification. The deliberations aim to reinforce the cooperatives’ legal standing and financial resilience while ensuring that they continue to support employment, livelihoods and the welfare of Tibetan settlements in the years ahead.
