Mizoram: CPA seeks better coordination for NE development

Aizawl: The annual conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) India region zone-III has adopted a resolution seeking the merger of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) with the North Eastern Council (NEC) for better strategic planning and coordination of various projects in the region. 

The CPA India region zone-III conference was held in Aizawl, Mizoram from September 27 to September 28 with the theme 'Fostering the legislative sanctity.'

The two-day event was graced by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh, Nagaland assembly speaker and chairman of CPA India region zone-III Sharingain Longkumar and Mizoram chief minister Lalduhoma were among important dignitaries, who attended the event.

During the two days event, delegates discussed important issues and topics, including 'Inclusion of the Northeast region in the India-ASEAN vision for trade and cooperation’  and 'Merging the Ministry of DoNER with NEC for better strategic planning and coordination of various projects in the region.'

After thorough deliberation during a plenary discussion on Saturday, the conference has unanimously adopted the resolution to merge the DoNER ministry with the NEC, officials said. 

The conference felt the necessity of a separate Departmental Related Standing Committee (DRSC) in Parliament exclusively for the Ministry of DONER to oversee the functioning of the ministry and NEC, which will strengthen the legislative oversight on their functioning and effective implementation of schemes and policies.

This will ensure greater accountability and strengthen the oversight of the Ministry of DoNER and its implementing agencies to the people through the Parliament, the conference said.

The conference agreed that the Northeast MPs forum may be approached for taking up the matter with the Centre as well as the Lok Sabha speaker and Rajya Sabha Chairman at the earliest. 

The conference also adopted the resolution for inclusion of the Northeast region in the India-ASEAN vision for trade and cooperation, according to officials. 

It appreciated and acknowledged the renewed efforts of the Central government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi towards the socio-economic upliftment of the Northeast, which is also known as Ashtalakshmi through visionary policies of the “Act East Policy.”  

The conference urged the Centre to extend the scope of the Act East Policy and Ashtalakshmi by incorporating the Northeast region into the Indo-ASEAN bilateral trade agreements to encourage the region in becoming a growth engine for the nation while appreciating the region's international border potentials.

The conference urged the Centre to accelerate the completion of key infrastructure projects such as India – Myanmar – Thailand Highway and the Kaladan Multi Modal Transit Transport Project. 

It also urged the Centre to identify and upgrade existing international trading outposts particularly in Manipur's Moreh, Zokhawthar in Mizoram, Pangsha and Avangkhu in Nagaland and Pangsu pass in Arunachal Pradesh. 

Among others, the conference also urged the Centre to make more efforts in encouraging tourism related projects by appreciating the rich cultural diversity and resources and potential of the Northeast region for promotion and employment generation, and also it asked the Central government to promote cultural exchange programmes between the Northeastern states and ASEAN nations as a multiplier factor for promoting potential foreign trade in the region.