Need to take parliamentary process to urban bodies, panchayats, says CM

GUWAHATI, Oct 8 - Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal today said that possibilities of carrying the parliamentary process to the urban bodies and panchayats must be explored for making the democratic foundation at the grassroots stronger while giving an opportunity to the elected representatives to debate and discuss matters at that level.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the 17th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) India Region, Zone III, and launch of the North East Chapter of the Speaker�s Research Initiative (SRI) of Lok Sabha held here, Sonowal said that an effective parliament is a must for scrutinising governments and ensuring transparency while promoting good governance in a thriving democracy.

�There can be no democracy where the voices of the citizens are not heard through a strong and independent body of lawmakers,� he said.

Stating that CPA India Region, Zone III, which is comprised of eight north-eastern states, should act as the nerve centre for good parliamentary practices to connect North East India irrespective of race, religion and culture with the rest of the country for a more robust socio-economic bond, Sonowal said that social and cultural ethos must be strengthened to help the newly-elected lawmakers imbibe democratic values for an inclusive and vibrant democracy.

Thanking Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan for her keen interest to open the North East Chapter of SRI, Sonowal said that it would go a long way in ushering in holistic growth and progress of the legislative structure in the entire region.

Stating that the Assam Legislative Assembly has made quite a long and commendable journey in upholding the inheritance of parliamentary ethos, the Chief Minister expressed optimism that the common platform of SRI would immensely benefit the policy-makers of the region to take a holistic view of the issues concerning the North East.

The event is being attended by Speakers and Deputy Speakers of the Legislative Assemblies of all the north-eastern states as well as by several ministers, MLAs and MPs from the region.