10. Feb 2010
Cash incentives to celebrate Losar for propaganda purposes
(VOT) The Chinese authorities in Lithang (Chin: Litang) county, Kardze (Chin: Ganzi) TAP, Sichuan province, are handing out cash incentives to Tibetans of 10,000 – 30,000 Yuan (UK£930 - UK£ 2,800; EUR€1,070 – EUR€3,200; US$1,400 – US$4400) for the celebration of the Losar festival, VOT radio service reports. VOT said the Chinese authorities in various parts of Tibetan regions are encouraging Tibetans to celebrate the New Year on 14 February with pomp, likely reacting to diverse appeals to mark the festival in a low-key manner. A VOT source in Sera monastery in South India, said the authorities told the Tibetans to celebrate this Losar for the "economic development and social stability" and the "success of the central government’s policy on ethnic minorities" under the PRC. "They even promised to incur all expenditures for any festivity and entertainment program during the Tibetan New Year".