DHARAMSHALA: The 16th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile today approved the Kalons of the 15th Kashag nominated by Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay.
Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay has retained former education Kalon Ngodup Tsering in his new cabinet. All other six members are first time Kalons (ministers), though some of them have worked in the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) as secretaries.
The Kalons nominated by Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay are Mr Ngodup Tsering, former Education Kalon in the 14th Kashag; Ven Karma Gelek Yuthok, former Secretary of the Kashag Secretariat; Mr Sonam Topgyal Khorlatsang, former Secretary of Home Department; Mr Phagpa Tsering, former Secretary of Department of Security; Mr Karma Yeshi, former member of Tibetan Parliament; Mr Choekyong Wangchuk, former member of Tibetan Parliament and Ms Tenzin Dhardon Sharling, an incumbent member of the present 16th parliament.
Members of the 16th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile approved all seven names proposed by the Sikyong through a majority vote.
As per the rules and regulations of the Central Tibetan Administration regarding election of Kalons, if there is even a single objection to a Kalon proposed by Sikyong, a majority vote is required on the floor of the house to deliver a verdict of approval. Since all seven nominees did not have unanimous backing of the house, voting had to be carried out. Among the seven new Kalons of the 15th Kashag, former education Kalon Ngodup Tsering was reinstated with 29 votes. Kashag Secretary (Kadrung) Ven Yuthok Karma Gelek, who got 37 votes, is the lone monk in the cabinet, former Tibetan Parliamentarian Mr Karma Yeshi got 27 votes. Other candidates who were also approved include former Home Secretary Khorlatsang Sonam Topgyal, Mr Phagpa Tsering,former secretary of security department, Mr Choekyong Wangchuk, former member of the 15th Tibetan Parliament while Ms Tenzin Dhardon Sharling is the lone female face in the cabinet.