Om Birla opened Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Conference
Various
NATIONAL, November 10, 2025: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla Monday made an appeal for all political parties to uphold the dignity of legislative institutions during a media interaction on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Conference being held at Kohima in Nagaland. He stressed the importance of orderly functioning in democracy, asserting that planned disruptions undermine the democratic process and hinder citizens from engaging in meaningful discourse.
With the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament set for December 1, 2025, he urged parties to ensure smooth proceedings and emphasized that legislatures must actively contribute to transparent governance and welfare-oriented policies. While inaugurating the CPA conference, Birla highlighted that legislatures' duties extend beyond mere law-making, aiming to convert public sentiment into actionable policies.
Noting the conference's theme, “Policy, Progress, and Citizens: Legislature as Catalysts of Change,” he expressed hope for fruitful discussions leading to action plans for enhancing the empowerment and efficiency of Northeastern legislatures.
During the event, Chief Minister Nagaland Neiphiu Rio, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh, Speaker, Nagaland Legislative Assembly Sharingain Longkümer and Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Nagaland KG Kenye also addressed the gathering.
In this conference, legislatures from 7 out of the 8 member states of this zone participated. A total of 12 presiding officers attended the conference, including 7 Speakers and 5 Deputy Speakers.
Members of Parliament from this region and Members of the Legislative Assemblies also took part in the conference.
The theme of the Conference is “Policy, Progress & People: Legislatures as Catalysts of Change.” The sub-themes are (i) Role of Legislatures in Achieving Viksit Bharat @ 2047 and (ii) Climate Change – In the Light of Recent Cloudbursts and Landslides in Parts of the Northeast Region.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla underscored the role of technology in fostering closer relationships between citizens and democracy, mentioning the shift towards digital and paperless legislative systems. The Speaker reiterated that the essence of Indian democracy is rooted in its people, advocating for transparency and accountability in governance. He recommended that legislative bodies implement measures like live broadcasts of sessions and user-friendly digital platforms to enhance public engagement.
He remarked on the significant digital advancements in the Northeastern legislatures, commending Nagaland for becoming fully paperless and positioning it as a model for digital governance. However, he cautioned against misuse of technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), urging responsible integration that promotes transparency and upholds legislative integrity.
On the matter of Centre-State relations, Birla noted the need for collaborative efforts within their constitutional boundaries, asserting that effective dialogues improve governance and produce policies that are responsive to regional needs, leading to advancements in infrastructure and public service delivery in the Northeast.
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