C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\N7LNDRKZ\Para%20on%2058th%20CPC[1].docx

58th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Colombo, Sri Lanka from 7-15 September, 2012

The 58th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference was held in

Colombo, Sri Lanka, from 7-15 September, 2012. The Indian delegation to

the Conference was led by Smt. Meira Kumar, Hon‟ble Speaker, Lok

Sabha and member CPA Executive Committee. Shri Kiyanilie Peseyie,

Speaker, Nagaland Legislative Assembly and Sardar Harmohinder Singh

Chhatta, Minister of Finance, Government of Haryana attended the CPA

Executive Committee Meeting as Regional Representative from India

Region. Shri Dip Gogoi, MP, Lok Sabha attended the Ex Co meeting as an

alternate member from CPA India Region.

The delegation from India Union Branch consisted of three

Members of Parliament from Lok Sabha viz. Smt. Sumitra Mahanjan, MP,

Lok Sabha, Shri Dip Gogoi, MP, Lok Sabha,.) Shri Pinaki Misra, MP, Lok

Sabha, and two Members of Parliament from Rajya Sabha viz. Shri P J

Kurien, Hon‟ble Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha, Shri Kaptan Singh

Solanki, MP, Rajya Sabha. Shri T.K. Vishwanathan, Secretary-General,

Lok Sabha attended the Conference as Regional Secretary of CPA India

Region and Member of Society of Clerks-at-the-Table. Shri S. Bal Shekar,

Additional Secretary, Lok Sabha Secretariat, was the Secretary to the

Delegation.

The delegation from India Region also included the following

delegates from the State CPA Branches of India: Dr. A Chakrapani,

Chairman, Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council; Shri Wanglin Lowangdong

Speaker, Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly; Shri Pranab Kumar

Gogoi, Speaker, Assam Legislative Assembly; Shri Dharam Lal Kaushik,

Speaker, Chhattisgarh Vidhan Sabha; Shri Rajendra Arlekar, Speaker,

C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\N7LNDRKZ\Para%20on%2058th%20CPC[1].docx

Goa Legislative Assembly; Shri Ganpatsinh V. Vasava, Speaker, Gujarat

Legislative Assembly; Shri Kuldeep Sharma, Speaker, Haryana Vidhan

Sabha; Mohd. Akbar Lone, Speaker, Jammu & Kashmir Legislative

Assembly; Shri Chandreshwar Prasad Singh, Speaker, Jharkhand Vidhan

Sabha; Shri G. Karthikeyan, Speaker, Kerala Legislative Assembly; Shri

Ishwar Das Rohani, Speaker, Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly; Shri

Dilip Dattatraya Walse Patil, Speaker, Maharashtra Legislative Assembly;

Shri L. Inbomcha Singh, MLA, Manipur Legislative Assembly; Shri Charles

Pyngrope, Speaker, Meghalaya Legislative Assembly; Shri John

Rotuangliana, Deputy Speaker, Mizoram Legislative Assembly; Shri Pradip

Kumar Amat, Speaker, Orissa Legislative Assembly; Dr. Charnjit Singh

Atwal, Speaker, Punjab Vidhan Sabha; Shri Deependra Singh Shekhawat,

Speaker, Rajasthan Vidhan Sabha; Shri Govind Singh Kunjwal, Speaker,

Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly; Shri Mata Prasad Pandey, Speaker,

Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly.

Shri Pradeep Kumar Dubey, Secretary, Uttar Pradesh Legislative

Assembly; Smt. Y Indira Devi, Secretary, Manipur Legislative Assembly

and Shri Ved Prakash, Secretary, Punjab Legislative Assembly were the

three Delegation Secretaries from the State Branches who attended the

Conference.

The theme of the Conference was “Ensuring a Relevant

Commonwealth for the Future”. The following were the topics of the

Workshops/ Plenaries :

WORKSHOP – A : Empowering Future Generations through Access to Health and Education and Vocation Training.

WORKSHOP – B : Should the Commonwealth Establish a Commissioner for

Democracy, the Rule of Law and Human Rights?.

C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\N7LNDRKZ\Para%20on%2058th%20CPC[1].docx

WORKSHOP – C: The Politics of Constitution – Making the Role of Parliaments in Relation to the People.

WORKSHOP – D : Ensuring Adequate Parliamentary Scrutiny of Foreign and

Commonwealth Affairs. WORKSHOP – E : The Role of Parliamentarians in Conflict Resolution and Peace -

Building. WORKSHOP – F : Engaging Political Parties to improves Gender – responsive

Governance. WORKSHOP – G : Terrorism – The Threat to Democracy, Peace and Security WORKSHOP – H : Tackling Youth Unemployment. Final Plenary : The Role of Social Media in Moder-day-Politics

Hon‟ble Speaker, Lok Sabha was one of the Discussion Leaders on

Workshop „F‟ on the Topic “Engaging Political Parties to improve Gender –

responsive Governance”. Prof P J Kurien, Hon‟ble Deputy Chairman,

Rajya Sabha was a Discussion Leader in the Final Plenary on the Topic

“The Role of Social Media in Modern-day-Politcs”.

The details of topics and participation from India Union CPA Branch

in the Workshops/Plenaries are attached in separate sheet :-

C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\N7LNDRKZ\Para%20on%2058th%20CPC[1].docx

Workshop ‘A’

“Empowering Future Generations through

Access to Health and Education and

Vocational Training”

1. Shri Kaptan Singh Solanki, MP,

Rajya Sabha

Workshop ‘B’

“Should the Commonwealth Establish a

Commissioner for Democracy the Rule of

Law and Human Rights?”

1. Shri Pinaki Misra, MP, Lok Sabha

Workshop ‘C’

“The Politics of Constitution – Making, the Role of Parliaments in Relation to the People”

1. Prof P J Kurien, HDC, Rajya Sabha

2. Smt. Sumitra Mahajan, MP, Lok

Sabha

Workshop ‘D’

“Ensuring Adequate Parliamentary Scrutiny of Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs”

Shri Harmohinder Singh Chatha,

Cabinet Minister,

Government of Haryana and

member of Ex Co

Workshop ‘E’

“The Role of Parliamentarians in Conflict

Resolution and Peace – Building”

1. Prof P J Kurien, HDC, Rajya Sabha

Workshop ‘F’

“Engaging Political Parties to Improve Gender – responsive Governance

1. Smt. Meira Kumar,

Hon’ble Speaker, Lok Sabha

( Discussion Leader)

Workshop ‘G’

“Terrorism – The Threat to Democracy, Peace and Security”

1. Shri Pinaki Misra, MP,

Lok Sabha

2. Smt. Sumitra Mahajan, MP,

Lok Sabha

Workshop ‘H’

“Tackling Youth Unemployment”

1. Shri Kaptan Singh Solanki,

MP, Rajya Sabha

Final Plenary:

“The Role of Social Media in Modern – day

Politics”

1. Prof P J Kurien, HDC,

Rajya Sabha

( Discussion Leader)

A statement regarding airfare of India Union delegates (Lok Sabha

only) is attached.

Commonwealth Parliamentary Association/World Bank

Institute Study Group on Public Account Committees British

Columbia, Canada in November, 2012.

British Columbia Branch of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA)

in collaboration with World Bank Institute organized a Study Group on Public

Accounts Committee in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada from 6-10 November,

2012.

Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi, MP & Chairperson of Public Accounts Committee

of Lok Sabha attended the workshop. He was accompanied by Shri Devender

Singh, Joint Secretary, Lok Sabha Secretariat.

The objective of the Study Group was to examine the progress made over

the past decade in the work and functioning of PACs in the Commonwealth and

beyond. The Study Group also looked at emerging patterns of Committee process

as well as innovations to help PACs better respond to the challenges they face in

safeguarding their contribution to financial security.

The total amount spent on airfare of the member and the officer is Rs.

19,23,368/-. GBP 1087.30 has been got reimbursed from CPA Secretariat for

economy class direct route airfare of the Member.

CPA/World Bank Institute/IMF Global Seminar on the Role of

Parliaments and Extractive Industries in October, 2012 in Vienna.

The CPA Secretariat organized a Global Seminar on the Role of Parliaments and

Extractive Industries along with the World Bank Institute and the International

Monetary Fund in Vienna from 29- 31 October, 2012 at the Joint Vienna Institute.

Shri Pinaki Misra and Shri Dhananjay Singh, MPs, Lok Sabha attended the

Seminar from Parliament of India.

The following topics were discussed in the Seminar:

· The Commodities Market, recent boom, impacts and trends

· Tax Policy and Revenue

· Macro Economic Policy choices

· Diversification, options and best practices

· Monitoring contracts to increase transparency in Extractive Industries

· Using Parliamentary Oversight Tools to Enhance accountability of the

Extractive Sectors

· Conflict, Safeguards and Climate change

· How practitioners can work with Parliaments in promoting good governance

of the extractives sector

An amount of Rs. 6,31,599/- has been spent on airfare and local transport. (As on

date).

Joint CPA UK/BGIPU International Parliamentary Conference

on Gender and Politics in November, 2012.

The United Kingdom Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association

(CPA UK) and the British Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (BGIPU) hosted

a Conference on Gender and Politics at the Houses of Parliament, London from 6-

8 November 2012. Smt Ranee Narah, Hon’ble Minister of State for Tribal affairs

and Panchayati Raj and Smt Gundu Sudharani, MP, Rajya Sabha attended the

conference from India Union Branch (Parliament of India).

The Objectives of the Conference were as follows

(i) Case-studies of best practice, delegate experiences, research and innovations

for progressing gender equality in decision-making

(ii) The role of different stakeholders in encouraging women’s political

participation

(iii) Advancing the social, economic and political position of women through

policy and legislation

(iv) The role of the media in gender and politics

(v) The approach of different sectors in addressing gender imbalance

(vi) Policies and schemes which encourage women’s economic empowerment and

address access to, quality and duration of education for girls

No expenditure incurred by Lok Sabha Secretariat.

3rd Westminster Workshop on the PAC in June, 2013 ***

The UK CPA Branch had organized the 3rd Westminster Workshop on the PAC from 24 to 27 June, 2013 in London. 2 Shri Bhartruhari Mehtab, MP, Lok Sabha and Shri A. K. Singh, Joint Secretary, Lok Sabha Secretariat participated in the Workshop. 3. The Workshop had a total of 22 Sessions spread over four days. Shri Mehtab, MP participated in most workshops and made an effective presentation on the Session 17 of the Workshop entitled ‘Interpreting and Prioritizing Financial and Audit information’ from India point of view 4. Shri A. K. Singh, Joint Secretary, Lok Sabha Secretariat participated as a panel member in Session 7 entitled “Forward planning Committee work” sharing views and experiences on the working of PAC in India. 5. An amount of Rs. 9,63,223/- has been spent on the aforesaid visit of the Member and the accompanying officer including Airfare.

10th CPA Canadian Parliamentary Seminar, Ottawa, 2-8 June, 2013 ***

The Canada CPA Branch, co-hosted the 10th CPA Canadian Parliamentary Seminar with CPA Secretariat in Ottawa from 2-8 June, 2013. The theme of the Seminar was “Strengthening Democracy and the role of Parliamentarians: Challenges and Solutions”. 2. Shri J. M. Haroon Rasheed, MP, Lok Sabha attended the Seminar from CPA India Union branch. The Seminar deliberated on a number of topics related to the main theme. Shri Rasheed participated in the deliberations and made effective interventions. The Member was extended hospitality as a State Guest. 3. An amount of Rs. 11,76,212/- has been spent on the aforesaid visit so far of the Member including Airfare.

24th Annual Commonwealth Parliamentary Seminar held in Singapore from 27 May to 1 June, 2013

*** 24th Annual Commonwealth Parliamentary Seminar on the theme “Strengthening Parliamentary Democracy” was held in Singapore from 27 May to 1 June, 2013. The Seminar was attended by delegates from across all nine CPA regions. 2. Dr. (Smt.) Jhansi Lakshmi Botcha, MP, Lok Sabha participated in the Seminar

from CPA India Union Branch. Delegates from State CPA Branches namely Shri

Kuldip Sharma, Speaker, Haryana Vidhan Sabha, Shri Rakesh Jashvantlal Shah, MLA,

Gujarat Vidhan Sabha, Shri Ambika Chaudhary, MLC, Minister, Uttar Pradesh and

Shri Govind Singh, MLA, Rajasthan Vidhan Sabha also participated in the Seminar.

The Seminar had a total of 15 Sessions. Dr. Botcha, MP participated in a number of

Sessions. She was a lead Speaker on the Session 12-“Challenges facing Women in

Politics and Parliament”.

3. The seminar provided intensive learning exercise to the delegates in order to develop their professional skills in the Parliamentary matters. The Member was treated as State Guest and was extended board and lodge in Singapore. 4. So far expenditure is concerned Rs. 1,80,011/- has been spent.

CPA GLOBAL SEMINAR ON THE “ROLE OF PARLIAMENTS AND EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRIES” IN VIENNA IN OCTOBER, 2013

***** CPA Global Seminar on the “Role of Parliaments and Extractive Industries” was

held in Vienna, Austria from 29th to 31st October, 2013.

The main aim of the Seminar was to bring together Members of Parliament from

diverse Parliaments across the globe to participate in a dialogue and exchange

knowledge. The Seminar provided opportunity to exchange knowledge amongst MPs

on good practice around Extractive Industries particularly as they relate to

Parliamentary oversight and monitoring, to share recent research outcomes and

experiences related to the Extractive Industries and to identify demand-driven entry

points and strategies to support Parliaments and MPs to engage the Extractive sector

more effectively.

The following 6 topics were discussed during the Seminar:

(i) Extractive for Development and Role of Parliament in Extractive

Industries;

(ii) Understanding and Enforcing Extractive Contracts;

(iii) Parliament and the Budget;

(iv) Revenue Forecasting and Budget Analysis;

(v) Fiscal Rules and Fiscal Responsibility; and

(vi) Conference Reflections and the Way Forward.

Shri Kalyan Banerjee, Member of Parliament and Chairman of the Parliamentary

Standing Committee on Coal and Steel participated in the Seminar from CPA India

Union (Parliament of India). From the State CPA Branch, Shri Kuldeep Sharma,

Speaker, Haryana Vidhan Sabha participated in the Seminar.

An amount of Rs. 3,13,696/- has been spent on the airfare of the M ember.

58th CPA ConferenceCommonwealth_Parliamentary_AssociationCPAworldbankJoint_CPA_UKLondon_13Ottawa_13Singpore_13Vienna_13