New Delhi, 28 January 2010: Lok Sabha Speaker Smt. Meira Kumar will inaugurate the Twelfth Annual Conference of the North-East Region Commonwealth Parliamentary Association in Shillong on 29 January 2010.

On her arrival in Shillong, she was received by Shri Charles Pyngrope, Speaker of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly and Shri Martin M. Danggo, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Meghalaya.

Besides the Lok Sabha Speaker, other dignitaries who will address the various Sessions of the Annual Conference  include Shri R.S. Mooshahary, Governor of Meghalaya; Dr. D.D. Lapang, Chief Minister of Meghalaya; Shri K. Rahman Khan, Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha; Shri H.A. Halim, Speaker of West Bengal Legislative Assembly; Shri Charles Pyngrope, Speaker of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly; Shri Tanka Bahadur Rai, Speaker of the Assam Legislative Assembly; Shri Kiyanilie Peseyie, Speaker of Nagaland Legislative Assembly and Shri Martin M. Danggo, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Meghalaya.

The two-day Conference will deliberate on the topic, “The Impact of Insurgency activities in the North-east India on Socio-Economic Development and its solution thereof”.

 Over the years, the CPA has emerged as a custodian of parliamentary democracy, making remarkable contributions towards democratic consolidation through its member-parliaments. The North-East Region CPA has been contributing greatly in furthering the aims and objectives of the Association by bringing together the members of the region in regular Conferences and meetings.

This is the first visit to the North-East by Smt. Meira Kumar after assuming office of the Lok Sabha Speaker.