Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Speaker, Metbah Lyngdoh on Tuesday was unanimously elected as the President of North East Regional Institute of Parliamentary Studies, Training and Research (NERIPSTR), Khanapara.
The announcement was made at a joint meeting of the executive committee, Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, India region, Zone III which includes all eight Northeastern states.
The meeting was attended by Speakers, Deputy Speakers, Assembly Commissioner and Secretary of all the states in the north east.
Due to Shillong’s proximity to the institute located at Jawarhar Nagar, Khanapara, the outgoing Chairman of North East Region Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, Assam Speaker Hitendra Nath Goswami suggested that NERIPSTR be under the administrative care of Assam and Meghalaya on rotational basis.
Speaking after the meeting, the Speaker said that he will oversee the functioning of the training institute and ensure that Parliamentary Studies training is imparted to north eastern state’s legislators and Assembly staff at the earliest.
He added that the North East Region Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (NERCPA), India region, Zone III was initiated by the then Speaker of Lok Sabha, P.A Sangma in 1996.
“The plot of land was donated by the government of Assam and the building was constructed by contributions from all north eastern states with the objective to impart training (on parliamentary studies) to legislators of all the eight states and Assembly staff,” he said.
He stated that he will convene a meeting of the executive council, NERIPSTR after Assam Assembly elections, adding that his responsibilities will also include coordinating with Lok Sabha Secretariat to request them to deploy experienced officials to the training centre to impart training.
“Legislators and Assembly staff will no longer have to go to Delhi to receive training which will reduce the burden of the state by reducing expenses on transport and accommodation,” he said.
At the meeting, Assam Assembly Speaker Hitendra Nath Goswami also handed over the chairmanship of NERCAP to Arunachal Pradesh Speaker Pasang Dorjee Sona.
