The Journal of Parliamentary Information VOLUME LlV NO.3 SEPTEMBER 2008 LOK SABHA SECRETARIAT NEW DELHI CBS Publishers & Distributors ] ], Darya Ganj, New Delhi-2 EDITORIAL BOARD Editor P.D. T. Achary Secretary-General Lok Sabha Associate Editors N.K. Sapra Additional Secretary Lok Sabha Secretariat Dr. Ravinder Kumar Chadha Joint Secretary Lok Sabha Secretariat Assistant Editors Smt. Renu SadaIfa Director Lok Sabha Secretariat Smt. Swapna Bose Joint Director Lok Sabha Secretariat Smt. Neelam Sethi Joint Director II Lok Sabha Secretariat o Lok Sabha Secretariat, New Delhi EDITORIAL NOTE The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association is an association of Commonwealth parliamentarians united by the pursuit of the high ideals of parliamentary democracy. The CPA has within its fold a large number of national, state, provincial and territorial Parliaments and Legislatures. Three years from now, the Association will be completing 100 years of its fruitful existence. During its long and chequered history, the CPA has played a laudable role in upholding parliamentary democracy by enhancing knowledge and understanding of democratic governance. Through its endeavours, Parliaments and peoples of the Commonwealth from diverse backgrounds, have forged close links and mutually benefited in various areas related to governance. The CPA has also been encouraging Regional Conferences among its Branches to devote special attention to matters of regional interest. The CPA Branches of the North-East region of India have been organizing Regional Conferences every year since 1997. These Conferences have provided a forum for legislators of this Region to discuss issues of common concem and also the problems and prospects of parliamentary democracy in the region. The Eleventh North-East Region Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (NERCPA) Conference was held at Aizawl, Mizoram on 28 May 2008. The Conference deliberated on 'Budgetary Process-Performance Budget' and 'Time Management for Promoting Efficiency in the Activities of the Legislatures'. We include in this issue of the Journal the text of the Inaugural Address by the Lok Sabha Speaker. On 13 June 2008, the Speaker, Lok Sabha, Shri Somnath Chatte~ee delivered the E.M.S. Namboodiripad Memorial Lecture on 'Democratic Consolidation: The Indian Experience' at Thiruvananthapuram. In his lecture, the Speaker observed that one of the most remarkable achievements of the first six decades of India's freedom was that it had not only sustained but also reinforced a vibrant system of governance based I)n parliamentary democracy, committed to secularism and inclusive and equitable development. Democracy has come of age and is flourishing and thriving in the country. He noted that since Independence, the people have shown tremendous zeal and enthusiasm for participation in the electoral and governance processes and thereby greatly helped in the establishment and strengthening of the largest working democracy in the world. Democratic consolidation was not a one-time process. It was only through the committed efforts of all sections of polity and 278 The Journal of Parliamentary Information every institution associated with democracy that the process could be sustained meaningfully. He said that It was the responsibility of all stakeholders to identify and curb all the negative tendencies that are causing erosion in the democratic values. We include in this issue of the Journal the text of the lecture delivered by the Speaker, Lok Sabha at the Memorial Lecture. We also carry in this issue the other regular features, viz. Parliamentary Events and Activities, Procedural Matters, Parliamentary and Constitutional Developments, Documents of Constitutional and Parliamentary Interest, Sessional Review, Recent Literature of Parliamentary Interest and Appendices. In our constant pursuit of making the Journal more enriching and useful, we always Invite and welcome suggestions for its further improvement. We also welcome practice and problem oriented, non- partisan articles in the field of parliamentary procedures and institutions from members of Parliament and State Legislatures, scholars and all others interested in the field of parliamentary political science. -P.D.T. Achary Editor ..' 1 INAUGURAL ADDRESS BY THE SPEAKER, LOK SABHA, SHRI SOMNATH CHATTERJEE AT THE 11TH NORTH-EAST REGION COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE AT AIZAWL, MIZORAM, 28 MAY 2008 The 11" North-East Region Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (NERCPA) Conference was held from 28 to 30 May 2008 at Alzawl, Mizoram. We reproduce below the text of the Inaugural Address by the Speaker, Lok Sabha, Shrl Somnath Chatte~ee. -Editor Ladies and Gentlemen: I am extremely happy to be with you here today on the occasion of the Eleventh Conference of the North-East Region Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. I heartily felicitate the North-East Region CPA for having organized this Conference at Alzawl. Mizoram Is not only endowed with a rich culture and history but Is also known for its scenic beauty. That apart, Mizoram is a peaceful State and has made impressive socio-economlc progress. The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association has within its fold a large number of National, State, Provincial and Territorial Parliaments and Legislatures. Three years from now, the Association will be completing 100 years of its eventful existence. During its long and chequered history, the CPA has played a key role in upholding Parliamentary democracy and made rich contributions towards promoting cooperation among its member-countries. Through Its endeavours, Parliaments and peoples of the Commonweanh from diverse backgrounds, have forged close links and mutually benefited in various areas related to governance with a positive impact on development, peace and harmony. I am happy that the North-East Region CPA, as part of the CPA family, has been working assiduously in furthering the aims and mission of the Association. It has held regular meetings to deliberate upon issues of common concern, thereby fostering democratic values and better understanding amongst its constituent members. 280 The Journal of Parliamentary Information As you are aware, the North-Eastern Region occupies a unique and distinctive position in the socio-cultural and geo-political·landscape of the country. Surrounded by five countries, the Region has enormous strategic and economic importance. Government policies and Programmes have been drawn up keeping this significant facet in view. The North-East Region holds tremendous potential for socia-economic development. It is richly endowed with natural resources, ranging from mineral wealth to water resources to forests and has a favourable agro-climatic conditions. In spite of many obstacles and problems, the Region has registered impressive performance. J\mongst these figure the achievement of higher literacy rates and higher women's work participation rate compared to the all-India average. The high social status accorded to women is yet another remarkable and praiseworthy feature of the Region. However, the stark reality is that underdevelopment has perSisted. This and other socio-cultural and ethnic complex problems which have not been satisfactorily resolved have engendered an unsettled situation in many parts of the Region, leading to the scourge of insurgency. The per capita gross state domestic product of the Region is low. The Region's share of road and rail networks, as well as power availability is below the national average. However, its literacy rate is higher than the national average, which is a matter of pride for the whole Region and the country as a whole. For proper and balanced development of the Region amongst other priorities, the Region needs to realize its full potential and create an environment that is conducive to investment, both public and private. What is vitally needed is increasing people's participation at the grassroots level and strengthening capacity building 9f the people and of the democratic Institutions. Durable peace and prosperity will follow the people's active participation in the decision-making process. It is incumbent upon the people's representatives at all levels to ensure that governance is accountable, transparent, responsible and responsive to the peoples' issues and demands. This is not to paint a negative scenario of the Region. Successive Governments have taken various noteworthy measures to bring peace and development to the Region. The constitution of the North-Eastern Council in 1971 represented a major initiative in this direction. The Ministry of Development of North-Eastern Region (DONER) was set up in 2001 and has the mandate to look into the holistic and comprehensive socio-economic development of the Region. The Region receives special attention to expedite its balanced development. I understand that a new Indian Institute of Management (11M) at Shillong will become Address by Lole Sabha Speaker at 11" NERCPA Conference 281 functional from 2008-09 session. It is indeed a matter of great satisfaction for the whole of North-East that Guwahati has been selected to house one of the 14 world class Universities to be established during the Eleventh Plan period. I have no manner of doubt that sooner rather' than later, the North-Eastern States will playa much larger role than today in national affairs by their steady progress and development. I am happy that the NERCPA has an important role in fostering ties within the Region, over the years and focused attention on issues that