Over 3800 overseas Tibetans to enrol into Green Book contribution system

By Tsering Dhundup

DHARAMSHALA, Sept. 2: Around 3800 Tibetans living overseas have expressed their intention to enrol and contribute to the Green Book (Chadrel) funds of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA).

Speaking to Phayul, Tenzin Lekdup the Executive Secretary of the Department of Finance, CTA revealed that representatives of CTA abroad have reported a substantial number of Tibetans residing overseas who are prepared to make the Green Book contribution. Around 1600 Tibetans from Switzerland, approximately 1700 from North America, about 400 from France, around 80 from Belgium, approximately 40 from England, and 3 individuals from Japan and Taiwan have communicated their intention to re-enrol into the voluntary contribution system, he told Phayul.

The figure includes Tibetans who are new to the Chadrel system as well as those who have failed to pay their contribution over the years and are re-enroling into the system.

This development follows CTA’s endeavours to motivate more overseas Tibetans to join as voluntary contributors to the administration’s finances. A motion for the new guidelines was unanimously passed during the last parliamentary session which grants 90% exemption for Tibetans who have failed to pay their contributions or those who are registering for a new Green Book. The exemption was implemented from April 1, 2023 until the end of fiscal year 2023-2024. After the 90% exemption, relevant individuals can pay their remaining 10% contribution in a lump sum or in instalments.

In April 2023, the Department of Finance of the Central Tibetan Administration issued a public announcement detailing the standardized Dollar exchange rates applicable for the annual Green Book contributions of exiled Tibetans for the fiscal year 2022-2023. The current Chadrel annual rate for overseas Tibetans for those aged 6 to 17 years, the contribution is 12 dollars, for students and unemployed individuals above 18 years to 84 years, the contribution is 46 dollars (including meal strike 10 dollars) and for those 18 years and above who are employed, the contribution is 96 dollars.

Even though the Chadrel contributions amount to less than 10% of the overall annual CTA budget, it is the only official medium where Tibetans can voluntarily contribute to the exile Tibetan government. It is also the pre-requisite document to avail democratic rights like voting among others.