Nagaland: Om Birla urges Northeast policymakers to frame initiatives to promote regional development

Dimapur: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday urged policymakers in the Northeast to frame initiatives that promote regional development and industrial growth while nurturing local art, culture, and traditional crafts to bring them national and global recognition.

“The people of the Northeast are vibrant, industrious, and full of potential,” Birla said in his address after inaugurating the 22nd annual Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) India Region Zone-III Conference at the Nagaland Legislative Assembly in Kohima.

Emphasising that the people of the region deserve greater opportunities to realise their potential, he said that through collective dialogue and public participation, legislatures can frame policies that ensure inclusive and sustainable development.

Birla highlighted that the CPA conferences serve as platforms for deliberation on issues of development, public expectations, and aspirations, enabling participants to share best practices and strengthen democratic institutions.

He lauded Zone-III of the CPA as one of the most active zones, consistently organising conferences across different state legislative assemblies in the Northeast.

“Such interactions provide valuable opportunities for discussion within legislative institutions and contribute significantly to capacity building,” Birla remarked.

Touching upon the conference theme, ‘Policy, Progress & People: Legislatures as Catalysts of Change’, he said it reflects the core philosophy and values of democracy.

He noted that the legislative assemblies of the northeastern states have always worked in a spirit of unity, framing region-specific policies that promote prosperity and progress.

Birla also stated that most legislative assemblies in the region have now transitioned to paperless operations, adopting new technologies and artificial intelligence to enhance accountability and transparency in governance.

He expressed satisfaction that disruptions in assembly proceedings have remained minimal due to the strong democratic culture and good practices shared among the states.

The Speaker commended the northeastern region for its rapid progress in connectivity and infrastructure, observing that each new project brings fresh opportunities for growth and development.

In his address, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio called for greater cooperation among the northeastern states to strengthen democratic institutions, foster regional growth, and promote inclusive development.

Various departments of the Nagaland government also set up exhibition stalls at the Nagaland Legislative Assembly complex as part of the conference, showcasing the initiatives, achievements, and ongoing projects of different departments, offering delegates and visitors insights into the state’s development efforts and governance innovations.