Department of Home
[ A short description of Department of Home, CTA - Dharamsala, H.P. India ]
The Department of Home is responsible for all rehabilitation schemes for Tibetan exiles. It looks after 21 agricultural settlements, 11 cluster units, eight agro-industries and four carpet-weaving cooperatives in India. In addition, the department looks after 20 Tibetan settlements and handicraft societies in Nepal and Bhutan.
The department works in close cooperation with the Government of India and international organizations involved in helping Tibetans to improve their lot. Employment generation and promoting self-reliance among the Tibetan populace has been the chief task of the Department since it came into being. People at the grassroots level have the right to either elect their own settlement/welfare officers or request appointees from the Home Department. Thus far, most of the settlements have decided in favour of appointees from the department. However, the CTA is making concerted efforts to encourage people to elect their own grassroots level heads, as this is seen to be an essential milestone on the way to Tibetan political maturity.
The Home Department is also working on a detailed plan to streamline the cooperative societies to make them completely self-reliant. Responsible for buying inputs and marketing the outputs of respective settlements, the cooperatives presently depend on the Home Department for managerial personnel and financial assistance whenever they face the prospect of bankruptcy.
In tandem with other projects, the department plans to replace the existing chemical-oriented farming practice with organic and natural farming.
Our Vision
We envision sustainable, democratic, communities in exile, engaged in dynamic, modern economies and practicing organic, natural farming, in which we can live respecting our common cultural and religious heritage while unifying in preparation for an ultimate return to democratic Tibet.
Objectives
To create self-sufficient and vibrant communities so as to preserve and practice our distinctive culture ethos and values.
To provide rehabilitation assistance to the displaced Tibetan refugees and undertake sponsorship programmes for the old, infirm and destitute.
- To improve the physical, social and economic infrastructure of the settlements which are often rudimentary or dilapidated conditions.
- To develop the agricultural and animal husbandry sectors in the settlements.
- To promote micro enterprises through cooperative and individual initiatives in the settlements.
- To train settlers in vocational and technical skills for self employment.
- To provide emergency relief measures to victims of natural disasters such as drought, floods, cyclone, snow storms etc.
