Dharamshala, 22 June: Speaker of the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly Kuldeep Singh Pathania announced that Tapovan, Dharamshala, will host the two-day annual conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) India Region-II on 30 June and 1 July 2025. Region-II comprises five legislatures—Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir and Delhi—but the Speakers of six states have been invited as special guests for this year’s gathering.
Chairing a preparatory meeting with district officials and departmental heads at the Assembly complex, Pathania said the conference will explore “Good Governance in the Digital Era: Managing Resources, Safeguarding Democracy and Embracing Innovation.”
Three focused discussions are scheduled:
30 June (morning):“The Legislature’s Role in Managing State Resources vis-à -vis Development.”
1 July (morning):“Disqualification on Grounds of Defection under Article 102/191 and the Tenth Schedule.”
1 July (afternoon):“Integrating Artificial Intelligence in Legislative Assemblies.”
Invitations have gone out to state cabinet ministers; all MLAs; and Himachal’s Members of Parliament from both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Delegates will begin arriving in Dharamshala on 29 June.
Lok Sabha Speaker and CPA India Region Chair Om Birla will inaugurate the conference on 30 June, while Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla will preside over the valedictory session on 1 July. Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Dr Harivansh Narayan Singh, Leader of the Opposition Jairam Thakur, and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan are among the dignitaries expected at the opening. The closing ceremony will be attended by Dr Harivansh, Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri and Leader of the Opposition Jairam Thakur.
Pathania noted that this is the first time Tapovan has hosted the CPA’s Region-II conference. He expressed confidence that the event would be a success and enhance Dharamshala’s standing on the national stage, much as previous high-profile gatherings have boosted the town’s reputation. To capitalise on interest, the Assembly complex will open to tourists from 2 July.
The Speaker directed the district administration and Assembly Secretariat to ensure robust arrangements for security, protocol, traffic management and accommodation throughout the conference. Senior officers—including Chief Whip Kewal Singh Pathania, Divisional Commissioner R.K. Paruthi, Inspector-General of Police Abhishek Dullar, Assembly Secretary Yashpal Sharma, Deputy Commissioner Hemraj Bairwa and Superintendent of Police Shalini Agnihotri—attended the review meeting.
