Newmai News Network Imphal | June 16 Speaker of Nagaland Legislative Assembly, Dr. Imtiwapang Aier emphasized that special plans for North East is required to be given a special status for economic rejuvenation of the region. He was speaking at the culmination programme of the 16th North East Region Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Conference (NERCPAC 2017) today in Imphal which was inaugurated by Lok Sabha Speaker, Sumitra Mahajan on Thursday. Dr. Aier observed that the Look East Policy has great significance for the Far East as it has the potential of bringing more trade and commerce opportunities which would uplift the economic condition of the Northeast region, a report from the DIPR, Government of Manipur stated. Also speaking on the occasion, Manipur Governor, Dr Najma Heptulla said that democracy is the only way to solve problems of North East region. She was speaking at the culmination programme of the 16th North East Region Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Conference (NERCPAC 2017) today. Dr. Heptulla said the legislators, besides being the political representatives of the people, are also social reformers and social philosophers, who are mandated to articulate the grievances, hopes and aspirations of the people. As such, it is their duty to be well aware of the ground realities, so that they can voice the concerns of the people in a more effective manner. Observing that North East region, due to certain reasons, has been historically and geographically cut off from the mainland, Dr. Heptulla called for efforts to attend to connectivity-related issues. She emphasised that there should be more direct flights to North-East region from different cities of the country, which will not only lead to better connectivity but also to better prospects for tourism industry. She also highlighted the need for better roads and rail network as per the special requirements of the region. She also pointed out that the criterion of population for allocating funds by the North Eastern Council needed to be revisited as the interests of smaller States tend to be adversely affected by such an approach. Meanwhile, the conference deliberated on second agenda item, viz. ‘Special Plan for development of Railways, Airways, Surface Road and Inland Waterways connectivity for speedy economic development of North East Region’. Speaker of Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly Tenzing Norbu Thongdok felt that money alone was not the major challenge in the delayed execution of the project but their clearance by various agencies is also a major problem. He suggested that the acquisition of land and tendering process, etc. be simplified. The Conference also took up a special discussion on the subject ‘Parliamentary Procedure for the New Millennium’ which was proposed by Speaker of Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly Tenzing Norbu Thongdok. Among other suggestions, he proposed that the legislatures of the North East need to have longer and frequent Sessions, participation of public and media in the work of the House and its Committees, and treating Committees’ conclusions as decisions until rejected by the whole House. Other distinguished delegates also participated in this Session.
