The 19th Annual Zone III Conference of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) India Region was inaugurated by Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla in Gangtok, Sikkim. The event was attended by Governor of Sikkim, Lakshman Prasad Acharya, Chief Minister of Sikkim, Prem Singh Tamang, Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha, Harivansh, Presiding Officers of Legislative Bodies in India, Members of Parliament, Members of Sikkim Legislature, and other dignitaries.
The theme of the conference was “Role of Parliamentarians in fostering economic and social developments.” The aim of the conference was to provide a platform for parliamentarians to discuss and deliberate on issues related to economic and social development, as well as to share best practices and experiences.
The two-day Conference will deliberate on many issues ranging from making parliament and assembly more accessible to the public. Drug abuse and the way forward and Cyberbullying are the core issues, which will be discussed in this conference.
Speaking on drug abuse, Mr Birla said that the issue is not only present in the North East region, but across the country. Referring to discussions on drug abuse in the Parliament in December 2022, Mr Birla said that after a detailed discussion, it emerged that members must conduct a comprehensive public awareness campaign across the country to educate the youth. He urged all to work with a collective spirit to end the growing problem of drug abuse and work towards a drug-free India.
Speaking on making Parliament and legislatures more accessible to citizens, Mr Birla appreciated the active participation between legislatures and the public through the use of IT and social media. He called for greater participation of people in the law-making process and gathering feedback on laws, policies and schemes to strengthen good governance.
In his inaugural address, Om Birla emphasized the importance of parliamentarians in promoting economic and social development. He stated that parliamentarians have a critical role to play in ensuring that policies and laws are in place to foster economic growth and social development. He also stressed the importance of collaboration and cooperation between parliamentarians from different regions and countries to achieve these goals.
The conference featured sessions on various topics such as sustainable development, promoting entrepreneurship, and enhancing infrastructure. The discussions were centered around how parliamentarians can work together to create policies that promote economic growth and social development.
The conference also provided an opportunity for parliamentarians to exchange ideas and experiences with their counterparts from other parts of the country. The event enabled the attendees to build relationships and explore opportunities for collaboration in the future.
The event was a significant milestone for Sikkim, as it was the first time that the state had hosted a CPA conference. The conference provided an opportunity for the state to showcase its rich cultural heritage and promote tourism.
The 19th Annual Zone III Conference of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) India Region was an important event for parliamentarians to discuss and deliberate on issues related to economic and social development. Also, they discussed about the increase of drug abuse and cyber bullying. The conference was also a significant milestone for Sikkim, as it provided an opportunity for the state to showcase its cultural heritage and promote tourism. The event was a success, and it is hoped that the discussions and deliberations will lead to policies and laws that promote economic growth and social development in India.
Deputy chairman of Rajya Sabha Shri Harivansh, Sikkim chief minister PS Tamang, speaker of Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly and Chairman of CPA India Region, Zone III, Pasang D. Sona also participated in the conference, among others. The conference will conclude on Friday.
