Imphal, June 15: Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan today inaugurated the two-day 16th North East Region Commonwealth Parliamentary Association(NERCPA) Conference at the Manipur Legislative Assembly in Imphal this morning.
The theme of the conference is North East and Look East Policy. Manipur Governor Dr Najma Heptulla, Deputy Chief Minister Yumnam Joykumar Singh, Presiding Officers and members of the legislatures of North East States are participating in this conference.
Speaking on the occasion, the Lok Sabha Speaker said, North-Eastern India is gateway to Asia and the region has full of potential, both natural and human resources to contribute significantly in the development trajectory of the country.
The Lok Sabha Speaker said, Legislators have the power to change; they are the bridge between the government and the public. She also said, they should keep their eyes open to how their people think about them. She said, the legislators, therefore, should work to fulfill the aspirations of their people. She further appealed the legislators to engage in creative discussions to formulate the best possible modus operandi of implementing the welfare schemes and development projects of the region.
The Lok Sabha Speaker said, the problems of North-East like lack of infrastructure, connectivity, militancy etc. need close attention to address properly as development of the country is impossible without the development of this region. She said, North-East states are considered to be powerful as well as energetic and if peace prevails in the region, national progress will be accelerated. She said, government job is not possible for every educated youth. She also appealed them to synergize their productive potentialities and creative innovations to grow India as world guru.
Manipur Assembly Speaker Yumnam Khemchand Sing delivered the welcome address at the opening function where the keynote address was given by Meghalaya Assembly Speaker and NERCPA Chairman Abu Taher Mondal. The conference will continue till June 18.
The conference will deliberate on North East and Look East Policy, special plan for development of railways, airways, surface road and inland waterways connectivity for speedy economic development of North East Region and setting up of a chapter of Speaker’s Research Initiative in the North Eastern Region for capacity building of the legislators of the region and generating research for the North Eastern legislatures.
