GANGTOK, (IPR): The executive meeting of the Commonwealth Parliamentary
Association (CPA) India Region Zone III was held this evening at a local hotel
in Gangtok, under the chairmanship of Speaker of the Nagaland Legislative
Assembly and Chairman of CPA India Region Zone-III, Sharingain Longkumer.
Longkumer
was accompanied by Speaker, Sikkim Legislative Assembly, MN Sherpa, and
Speaker, Assam Legislative Assembly, Biswajit Daimary along with key members of
the CPA India Region Zone III, including Speakers, Deputy Speakers, secretaries
and senior officials from the State legislative assemblies of Sikkim, Mizoram,
Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Meghalaya, and Assam, as well as
representatives from Manipur.
The
meeting commenced with the welcome address by Chairman of CPA India Region
Zone-III, Longkumer, who also serves as the president of North East Regional
Institute of Parliamentary Studies Training and Research (NERIPSTR), wherein he
emphasised the importance of regional cooperation in legislative affairs. He
also extended gratitude to the State of Sikkim for hosting the significant
meeting to ensure parliamentary democracy.
One
of the key agendas discussed was the finalisation of dates for the 22nd Annual
CPA India Region Zone-III Conference, which is set to be held in Kohima,
Nagaland and aims to foster dialogue among legislators and strengthen
democratic governance in the region. The tentative dates have been unanimously
fixed for November 9-15, 2025, subject to the approval of the Speaker of the
Lok Sabha, it was informed.
Reports
from commissioner &secretary of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, Andrew
Simons, and secretary in-charge of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly &secretary,
CPA India Region Zone-III, Khruohituonuo Rio, were presented, detailing on the
developments, current undertakings and initiatives undertaken by CPA India
Region Zone III.
The
reports were followed by an in-depth discussion among the members that were
focused on parliamentary proceedings and administrative improvements.
During
the meeting, it was decided to form two three-member committees—one to oversee
CPA workshops and another to facilitate the publication of a bimonthly
newsletter covering the activities of the CPA India Region Zone III. The
Speaker of Meghalaya shall be the chairman of the Workshop Committee, while the
Speaker of Sikkim shall be the chairman of the Newsletter Committee.
A
report by the additional director, NERIPSTR, Guwahati, Kshitish Talukdar, was
also tabled, outlining the financial overview and considerations of the
institution.
The
financial segment of the meeting included a financial report and suggestive fiscal
measures presented by chartered accountant, NERIPSTR, Vikash Nagpuria. The
house engaged in a discussion on the fiscal recommendations aimed at enhancing
budgetary planning and financial governance.
One
of the notable proposals deliberated was the establishment of a forum named
Former Presiding Officers of Northeast India (FOPON), comprising former
Speakers and Deputy Speakers of the eight Northeastern States. The forum aims
to promote the welfare of former presiding officers, uphold their dignity, and
provide a platform to channel their rich experience and wisdom into
constructive and collaborative initiatives. Speaker, Mizoram Legislative
Assembly, Lalbiakzama, presented a draft report on the proposal, with further
discussions scheduled for the next executive committee meeting.
The
meeting concluded with discussions on additional issues with the Chair’s
permission, reflecting the CPA’s commitment to parliamentary excellence and
regional collaboration. Key issues included strengthening road connectivity and
addressing the drug menace in the region, and ensuring the revival and welfare
of NERIPSTR.
In
his concluding remarks, Speaker, Sikkim Legislative Assembly, MN Sherpa,
expressed gratitude to the Speakers, Deputy Speakers, and senior officials for
their participation. He extended his best wishes for their study tour in
Sikkim.
Among
the prominent delegates present during the meeting were Speaker, Mizoram
Legislative Assembly, Lalbiakzama; Speaker, Arunachal Pradesh Legislative
Assembly, Tesam Pongte; Speaker, Tripura Legislative Assembly, Biswa Bandhu
Sen; Deputy Speaker, Sikkim Legislative Assembly, Raj Kumari Thapa; Deputy
Speaker, Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, Timothy D Shira; Deputy Speaker,
Nagaland Legislative Assembly, S Toiho Yeptho; Deputy Speaker, Mizoram
Legislative Assembly, Lalfamkima; Deputy Speaker, Tripura Legislative Assembly,
Ram Prasad Paul; secretary, Sikkim Legislative Assembly, Lalit K Gurung; secretary,
Manipur Legislative Assembly, Rohit Sapam; secretary, Tripura Legislative
Assembly, Sanjib K Majumder; secretary, Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly,
Tadar Meena;and principal director, Sikkim Legislative
Assembly, Karma T Gyatso Bhutia.
