Now, Tibetans in exile can start enterprises

After getting the right to exercise their franchise in the Indian political system, Tibetans in exile can now start their own enterprises.

A decision to this effect was finalised following the approval of the "Tibetan Rehabilitation Policy 2014" by the government of India this week, an official said here Wednesday.

According to the policy dated Oct 20, any Tibetan can undertake any economic activity, the official from the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) told IANS.

For this, they are entitled to get a trade licence and permit.

Matter concerning land lease and extending central and states benefits are also specified in the policy. Besides, it has clear-cut guidelines about the welfare of Tibetans in India.

It also says Tibetan refugees may also be permitted to pursue and take jobs in any field for which they are professionally qualified. These fields could be nursing, teaching, chartered accountancy, medicine and engineering.

The guideline is significant since the Indian government has tried to set a uniform policy in all states in dealing with the rehabilitation and welfare of Tibetan refugees, the official said.

The CTA's home minister Dolma Gyari thanked the Indian government for the "clear and positive" policy guidelines.

For the first time in Indian history, the Election Commission allowed India-born Tibetans to register as voters and participate in the general elections this year.

Dharamsala and its nearby areas support 16,000-18,000 exiled Tibetans.

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama has lived in India since fleeing his homeland in 1959. The Tibetan administration-in-exile, which is not recognised by any country, is based in this town in Himachal Pradesh.

India is home to around 100,000 Tibetans.