Aizawl (Mizoram) [India], September 27 : Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla inaugurated the 21st CPA Zone III Conference at Mizoram Legislative Assembly Complex, Aizawl, on Friday.
On this occasion, highlighting the need for greater transparency and accountability, Birla said that legislative institutions should embrace digital tools and technology to enhance their connection with the people.
"Increasing public participation in democratic processes leads to more responsive and accountable governance. We must strive to connect directly with the people through technology and digital platforms," he said.
Addressing the members of legislative assembly and presiding officers of many states, Birla emphasised the critical role that elected representatives play in a democracy as the voice of the people.
He said that engagement in meaningful dialogue with constituents, understanding their challenges and advocating for their aspirations in legislative institutions can create a positive and responsible atmosphere in democratic institutions.
Birla stressed that legislative bodies must be centres of discussion and debate, where both agreement and disagreement are valued as the strengths of a vibrant democracy. He said that "strong democracies are built on consensus as well as dissent. We need to understand the importance of constructive criticism in making policies and laws."
Speaker Lok Sabha highlighted the significant strides made by the northeastern states of India in recent years.
"India became an important and powerful nation under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The government is focusing the development of northeastern states and this is time to join hands for this," Birla added.
Birla also acknowledged the infrastructural advancements that have transformed the northeastern states, traditionally considered geographically and infrastructurally challenged, into burgeoning hubs of connectivity and growth.
He said, "I am pleased to see the northeastern states establishing new dimensions of development. The region is moving forward at an accelerated pace with the joint efforts of the central and state governments."
Birla observed the ongoing railway track construction, a landmark effort to connect Mizoram with the rest of the country. He praised the government's relentless work in enhancing both road and air connectivity, noting the substantial progress made in linking remote areas through vital infrastructure projects. He said that I hope these efforts will bring prosperity and happiness to the region. These improvements come with increased responsibility, especially for the elected representatives.
The Lok Sabha Speaker lauded the potential of the northeastern states in various sectors. He said that the region has special identity in agriculture, handicrafts, handloomsand tourism sector.
"These strengths will attract global investments and create employment opportunities for the youth of the region. Despite the challenges of geography and natural disasters, the Northeast offers immense opportunities. The unique cultural and natural resources of the region, from bamboo furniture to medicinal plants, would find markets across the world," he said.
Birla expressed his belief that forums like the CPA conference play a crucial role in sharing best practices and innovations, which can help states achieve economic and social transformation. He said that the conference would serve as a catalyst for further progress in the region, advancing the shared goal of achieving sustainable development and prosperity for all.
The inaugural session of this conference was also addressed by the Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma and Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh.
Addressing the conference, CM Lalduhoma said that legislative sanctity refers to the "integrity, credibility, and inviolability of our laws and legislative processes."
"It is the foundation upon which democratic governance stands. In a region as diverse and vibrant as Northeast India, fostering legislative sanctity is not just important; it is imperative. Legislative sanctity builds trust between the government and its citizens. When people believe that laws are made fairly, transparently and in their best interest, they are more likely to engage with and support democratic processes," he said.
The Chief Minister said that despite its importance, "we face several challenges in fostering legislative sanctity, especially in Northeast India."
"The complexity of governance structures in our region can lead to confusion and inefficiencies. Overlapping jurisdictions and varying interpretations of laws can undermine their effectiveness. Many citizens remain unaware of their rights and the legislative processes that govern them. This lack of awareness can lead to disengagement from the political process and diminish public trust. Instances of political interference in legislative processes can erode the sanctity of laws. When legislation is influenced by extraneous factors rather than the public good, it diminishes the credibility of our institutions. Without robust mechanisms to hold legislators accountable, the sanctity of laws may be compromised. Transparency and accountability must be embedded in our legislative processes," he added.
While addressing the conference, Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha Harivansh said that the investment on infrastructure across states in the northeast is an indication of this direction.
"About Rs 5 lakh crores have been spent by 54 different Union Ministries since 2014. At the same time, there must also be more synergy in planning comprehensive strategies for
development in the region and this will be an area of focus in the second topic about merging the North Eastern Council and the Ministry of DoNER," Harivansh said.
Harivansh further said that the North Eastern Region (NER) of India is a land of
immense economic potential. It has a wide array of opportunities that can contribute substantially towards the Prime Minister's long-term ambition of a 'Viksit Bharat', i.e., a developed nation by 2047.
Deputy Chairman also added that its strategic location, sharing borders with several countries including Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Myanmar, and Nepal, and its proximity to Southeast Asia provide a distinct advantage for regional integration and trade, which can boost economic activity and create employment opportunities. The northeastern region contributes about 2.2 pc of the country's GDP. This region constitutes about 8 pc of the geographical area and has nearly 4 pc of the national population.
The 21st Annual Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) is being held in Aizawl, Mizoram. The CPA is an international community of Commonwealth Parliaments and Legislatures working together to strengthen the Commonwealth's commitment to high standards of democratic governance and the parliamentary system.
The CPA is one of the oldest organisations in the Commonwealth. Established in 1911, the federation is made up of more than 180 legislatures divided between nine geographical regions of the 54 Commonwealth countries. It provides an opportunity for MPs and parliamentary staff to collaborate on issues of mutual interest and share good practices.