Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha, Harivansh proposing valedictory remark during the closing programme of 22nd Annual CPA Zone-II conference held at NLA, Kohima on November 11. (DIPR Photo)
KOHIMA, NOVEMBER 12 (MExN): The 22nd Annual Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) India Region Zone-III concluded in Kohima on November 10 with a strong call to the Central Government to initiate dialogue with all North Eastern State Governments to prepare a comprehensive and sustainable development plan for the region.
The resolution, adopted unanimously at the end of the two-day conference, emphasised the need for the plan to reflect the North East’s ethnic diversity, long-term growth priorities, and regional aspirations, ensuring inclusive development as part of India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 mission.
While acknowledging the Centre’s focus through the Act East Policy over the past decade, the conference noted that socio-economic disparities persist and urged the Central Government to increase budgetary allocation to the region to make it a vital contributor to India’s growth engine.
Held under the theme “Policy, Progress & People: Legislature as Catalysts of Change,” the Kohima conference brought together presiding officers and legislators from across the North East, reaffirming their commitment to parliamentary democracy, climate resilience, and regional cooperation.
The resolution also underscored the North East’s geo-political importance as India’s gateway to ASEAN and called for an exclusive, targeted development programme to enhance social, cultural, and economic collaboration with ASEAN nations.
Recognising the region’s sensitivity to seismic activity and climate change, the conference resolved to promote climate-resilient development policies and recommended the establishment of a Regional Research Centre to monitor the socio-economic impacts of global warming.
The House also condemned the bomb blast at Red Fort, New Delhi, on November 10, and expressed condolences to the victims and their families.
Collective support for Nagaland’s key projects
Extending collective support to Nagaland’s aspirations, the House urged the Centre to prioritise upgradation of Kohima Medical College into a Central Institute on par with AIIMS and RIMS, Imphal.
It also called for implementation of the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) or IIT, as announced in the Union Budget 2015–16 by the late Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley; and consideration of the Chiethu Airport proposal at Kohima to enhance regional connectivity and economic integration.
