Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 116/23

20TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF CPA INDIA REGION ZONE III CONCLUDES SUCCESSFULLY

The 20th Annual Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association India Region Zone III, hosted by the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, reached its successful conclusion today. Presiding officers of north eastern states, parliamentarians, legislators, commissioner and secretaries, secretaries of legislative assemblies of north eastern states participated in the Conference.

During the second day of the conference, deliberations continued on the subjects of Natural Disasters and strategies for management with special reference to North East Region and Regional connectivity to bring North East Region at par with mainland India.

The plenary session, chaired by Chairman of CPA India Region Zone III and Assembly Speaker of Arunachal Pradesh, Shri Pasang D Sona, and Vice Chairman of CPA India Region Zone III and Assembly Speaker of Meghalaya, Shri Thomas A Sangma, was marked by insightful discussions and constructive contributions from participants. The event culminated with a Valedictory Function. The Governor of Meghalaya, Shri Phagu Chauhan, attended the valedictory function as the Chief Guest.

In his address, the Governor said that the agendas discussed in the two day Conference, on natural disasters and strategies for management with special reference to North East Region, and regional connectivity to bring North East Region at par with mainland India, are two crucial topics, highly pertinent to the North Eastern region. He hoped that through the deliberations, new ideas and perspectives have emerged that would result in important policy formulations that are required to achieve holistic development of the region and propel it to new heights.

In his remark, Speaker of Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly and Chairman, CPA India Region Zone III, Shri Pasang D. Sona, stated that good ideas and suggestions have emerged during the 2-day discourse on the topics that are crucial for the development of the North Eastern Region. He shared that the participants reached a consensus on certain suggestions, including the need for an alternate road connecting the North East region to mainland India, apart from the Siliguri Corridor also known as the Chicken Neck. He stated that there is a need for proper study of the region in regards to natural disasters so a permanent solution to the matter can be derived. Sona said that these suggestions will be documented and shared with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Affairs Headquarters in London, the CPA India Region Headquarters and Ministries concerned so they can incorporate these suggestions in their policies.

Deputy Speaker, Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, Timothy D Shira presented the Vote of Thanks to all dignitaries who have attended and graced the 20th CPA India Region Zone III Conference in Shillong, Meghalaya. The Deputy Speaker expressed deep gratitude to Speaker of the Lok Sabha Shri Om Birla for inaugurating the Conference and Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha, Harivansh Narayan Singh, for his presence and conducting the plenary sessions smoothly.

The conference was followed by a cultural programme and dinner hosted by the Governor of Meghalaya, Shri Phagu Chauhan, at Raj Bhavan.