ITANAGAR, May 12: The 18th Conference of the CommonWealth Parliamentary Association India Region Zone III began here today at Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly. The state is hosting the event for the third time, the first was hosted on May 2002, while the second on April 2011. It is the first annual conference of CPA being organized after the covid pandemic.
The two day event was inaugurated by the Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla amidst the presence of Deputy Chairman Rajya Sabha Harivansh Narayan Singh, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, Arunachal Pradesh Assembly Speaker Pasang Dorjee Sona, Deputy Speaker Tesam Pongte, Speakers and Deputy Speakers and other delegates of all North Eastern States, besides Ministers and MLAs and delegates across the state of Arunachal Pradesh.
Addressing the occasion, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla called upon the North East Region to prepare an action plan based on its strengths to achieve sustainable development. Government of India has taken up many important decisions for infrastructure development in the region under the Act East Policy, which are being implemented rapidly, he said.
Birla stated that North East is the only region in India for which a special ministry has been constituted for its integrated development and the government of India has made continuous efforts for the all-round development of the region through the Act East Policy. Besides Union Ministries have been directed to spend 10% of their budget in the region, he added. He mentioned that development works in the entire region is going on at a rapid pace in the field of power, water supply, health, education, tourism, airport, rail, road, telecom, internet connectivity, science & technology etc, adding that better connectivity and means of transport will translate into development of the region and creation of employment opportunities which would further usher in a new era of prosperity.
He, however felt that though development has taken place in the 75 years of independence, there are still many gaps in various sectors which needs to be addressed.
Stating that the CPA is one such platform, wherein in-depth discussion and dialogues on serious issues within the region are taken up and work to strengthen democracy and democratic institutions, the Lok Sabha Speaker added that though the region is unique they have some significant commonalities. He therefore emphasized on preparing action plans for development of the region keeping in mind these commonalities and differences. He further stressed on increasing people's participation in decision making processes and making the democratic institutions more sensitive to the problem of the people to strengthen their trust on it for betterment of society. 
Birla hoped that the conference would pave way for strengthening the democratic practices and parliamentary polices and unleash new dimensions of development in the NE Region. 
Deputy Chairman Rajya Sabha Harivansh Narayan Singh in his address reiterated on the Prime Minister's focus for all round development of the NE states in all aspects through improved connectivity and infrastructures, adding that the Centre is working for holistic development of the north east. 
The North-East region with vast diversity within each state is home to several unique cultural practices, he said, adding the writers from this region have also contributed immensely to the literary wealth of India. On the occasion, he urged upon the elected representatives and the government to preserve and promote the rich history through various schemes and community-based engagements, and hoped that the conversation in the two day conference would be fruitful to further enhance the social and economic development of the region.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Pema Khandu said that the North East is a challenging region with typical problems of all states of its own. Expressing his gratitude to the Prime Minister of India for giving special focus to the development of the region in general and Arunachal in particular, he said that frequent visits of the Union Ministers and PM himself to the region since 2014 shows strong concern of the Centre for the progress of the region and hoped to transform the state to a greater level at par with other developed states.
In his remark, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein emphasized on opening of international border trade through Stillwell Road to boost up the economy of the North Eastern states. 
Speaking on the political transition of the state since 1946, Mein highlighted on the present pace of development in the state despite a late starter compared to other states of the country. He viewed that a comprehensive development plan needs to be implemented for complete all round development of the state in particular and region in general. He also stressed on border area development in order to check migration to the main land. Advocating on re-writing the glorious history of the state, Mein called for protection, preservation and promotion of the rich cultural heritage of the state and its people.
Earlier, while welcoming the dignitaries and delegates from across the nation, Arunachal Pradesh Assembly Speaker Pasang Dorjee Sona said the CPA is an association to serve the parliamentarians of the commonwealth countries by providing machinery for regular consultation and exchange of ideas and information among the members, besides promoting closer understanding and cooperation for common purposes and strengthen the parliamentary democracy through the promotion of good governance and sharing best practices. 
Informing that the Arunachal assembly is going paper less with digital implementation, Sona stated that effort is being made to make this conference a ‘green conference’ and a ‘eco friendly one’ to go with the environment and mother nature. Sona, who is re-elected as the Chairman of CPA India Region Zone III also highlighted on the two topics of the plenary discussions and hoped of converting the challenges into opportunities for prosperity and development.
On the occasion, the Lok Sabha Speaker also inaugurated the Assembly Museum and unveiled the plague. The Museum located at the AP Assembly building is first of its kind state of art Museum and housed the rich legacy of the State Assembly and States rich cultural heritage. A 10 minutes audio-visual presentation on evolution and political transition of the state right from North Eastern Frontier Track to NEFA and to state of Arunachal Pradesh was made to mark the occasion.
The plenary session had deliberations on two themes  Challenges of the North East Region and Way Forward and Preservation of Ethnic Culture for Future Generations and Role of Law makers. 

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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