Our Correspondent
Kohima | September 12
The state Cabinet Sub-Committee on Petroleum & Natural Gas today submitted its final draft to the state government. The final draft was submitted to the Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio this morning at his official residence. Further discussion on the final draft with tribal hohos was also slated on the same day (September 12). The state cabinet would further sit on it on September 13 and after the approval of the Cabinet, it would be tabled in the forthcoming Nagaland Legislative Assembly session for discussion and passing in the House.
T.R. Zeliang, Minister for Planning, who is the Convenor of the committee said once approved in the Assembly, it would be in the form of a “Regulation” and not an “Act.” The Cabinet Sub-Committee on Petroleum & Natural Gas was formed on 5th October 2009. It is learnt that the committee already had 11 meetings and also had consultative meetings with Naga Hoho, NSF, ENPO, ENSF and tribal bodies.
The Cabinet Sub-Committee was set up to study the provisions and privileges conferred to the State of Nagaland by Article 371 A of the Constitution of India and to hold consultation with concerned NGOs for evolving a mutually beneficial system of Regulation in the extraction of Petroleum and Natural Gas deposits of Nagaland.
The function was also attended by Chief Secretary Lalthara (IAS), Home Minister, Imkong L. Imchen, Parliamentary Secretary for Geology & Mining, Irrigation & Flood Control and Border Affairs Yanthungo Patton, Minister for Power & Election Y. Doshehe Sema, Minister for Forest, Environment, Ecology & Wildlife and Excise M.C. Konyak, Parliamentary Secretary for Transport, Communication and Mechanical Engineering P. Dako Phom, Advisor for IT & C and MLA Er. Vikho-o Yhoshu, Principal Secretary, Agriculture and Agri-production, H.K. Khulu IAS, Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs N. Benjamin Newmai and Consultant for Parliamentary legislation S. Kondaraman.
