MPs From Northeast Vow to Work Together For Growth

First summit of parliamentarians begins in Gangtok.

By Sarikah Atreya

Gangtok, Feb 13 : Members of Parliament from the Northeastern States today called for a collective approach to the overall development of the region.

The first Northeast Members of Parliament Forum (NEMPF) Summit, which began here today, adopted its first resolution which seeks to “work together for the betterment of the region collectively.”

Speaking during the inaugural function, NEMPF Chairman and Rajya Sabha MP, Mr Mukut Mithi, said that the region had to be developed holistically, taking into consideration its unique geo-political and social characteristics.

“Geographically and historically, the region has a distinctive characteristic and identities, its problems and development challenges are different from the national mainstream. The Forum came into being to highlight the developmental challenges of the region at the national level and encourage policy decisions without bringing into play ideology of any political party,” he said.

The Forum strives for sustainable development of the Northeast region and its people collectively and integration with the national mainstream. The Forum provides a platform to discuss issues of mutual concerns and issues that have or would have a likely impact on the lives of the people in the region.

Mr P.D. Rai, Lok Sabha MP from Sikkim and General Secretary of NEMPF, said, “The objectives of the coming together of Parliamentarians cutting across party lines is to discuss and debate the common issues that relate to the Northeast regional States and the people of the region. This way, there would be a broad understanding of the common issues which can be guided through the portals of Parliament, both in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.”

“For far too long the region has lagged behind the rest of the country in terms of human development indicators. Many deficits as well as opportunities have been identified, so this forum will try and work out an outcome-driven agenda during this conference to be implemented in the next four and half years. Already a lot of ground work has been done, we hope to achieve a lot during this meet,” Mr. Rai said.

Mr Vincent Pala, Minister of State for Water Resources and MP from Meghalaya, in his address said that there was a need to address the issue of violence in the region if we are to bring overall development. “The region needs rapid sustainable development,” he said.

“The Forum will develop models of growth suitable for the region which would include developing eco-friendly industries, strengthen transport and health sectors. Environment conservation efforts needs to be upped, while encouraging traditional cottage industries, better land and water resources management,” he said.

The Sikkim Chief Minister, Mr Pawan Chamling, in his keynote address said that the theme for the conference, “ushering in people-centric progress and development through peace” was very apt because “there would be no development without peace.”

The conference will discuss issues such as developing a shared agenda for peace and development of the Northeast region, enhancing awareness about geo-political considerations, vulnerability and opportunities in the region; enhancing understanding of potential of the region to emerge as a leader in sustainable and people-oriented development and enhancing security and border trade issues, amongst others.