Dimapur, September 27 (MExN): The Nagaland government today served a caution to all in concern that the power to grant Petroleum Exploration License (PEL) and Petroleum Mining License (PML) vests exclusively with the state government. A notice containing this reminder issued by Additional Chief Secretary Lalthara also requested the Nagaland Home Commissioner to cancel the PML issued by the chairman of Champang Village Council.
The state government pointed out that the exclusive right of (Nagaland) government to issue PELs and PMLs is provided in the Nagaland (Ownership & Transfer of Land & Resources) Act 1990 as well as oilfields (Regulation & Development) Act 1948. “No authority other than the state government is empowered or allowed to issue any kind of permit or license in regard to the exploration and mining of petroleum and gas” the government reminded.
In this regard, any person or authority– other than the state government – who issue such permit or license as well as any person who undertakes any petroleum exploration/mining activity in Nagaland without the required license from the Government of Nagaland will be liable for prosecution under the law of the land.
