Dimapur, May 24 (MExN): Minister for Planning and Coordination, Evaluation and Geology and Mining, T.R. Zeliang said today that the rules and regulations for exploration of oil and natural Gas drafted by the Cabinet Sub-Committee (CSC) and adopted by the Nagaland Legislative Assembly is in the “best interest of the state and for the sole benefit of its people.”
Addressing officers and staff of the Department of Geology and Mining here today, the Minister informed that the CSC took a long time to prepare the modalities, rules and regulations because it had to study and compare these with the oil and natural gas policies of several other countries and come up with the best policy.
“Once these rules and regulations start taking effect, our revenue will step up immensely,” he said. “To be good citizen we must learn to abide by rules. These rules and regulations were adopted by the highest state law-making body, so how can anybody oppose them at their whim and fancy?” he questioned, adding that suspension of oil exploration in Nagaland is a “great loss” for the state, people and the department. He also said opposition to this government policy by “certain groups” would delay the exploration process.
Zeliang asserted that no landowner or individual village has the authority to directly or indirectly negotiate with any oil company for exploration unless it is channelized through the state government and as per rules laid down by it.
“Without the rules made by government, how can a village or landowner directly negotiate with the oil companies? Under what rules will they negotiate and choose the company?” he asked. Stating that such “willful and disdainful” attitude of people would set a bad precedent and stall development in the long run, the Minister urged the Geology and Mining department to “educate, guide and make” people understand the importance of abiding by rules.
Zeliang reiterated that oil and natural gas is “a matter of state issue,” though Article 371 (A) of the Indian Constitution granted traditional ownership of natural resources to the Nagas. As such, he urged people to respect the state’s laws.
He disclosed that Geology and Mining department would be the sole nodal department for oil exploration and that this was agreed upon in a meeting of the Ministerial Group. The minister also asserted that unless Nagaland has proper rules and regulations, no big company would come for exploration. “Certain groups of people are opposed to it at the instigation of some self interested people,” he stated.
Zeliang demanded that the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation of India provide all past data with regard to oil and natural gas exploration in Nagaland so that the department can take corrective measures in the future. So far, 23 companies have responded to the Expression of Interest but the Ministerial Group has short-listed 7 companies which have been found to qualify, Zeliang disclosed.
The minister expressed concern over the random exploitation of coal in Nagaland and directed the Department to constitute an expert committee and come up with a workable draft for approval by the government, so that coal mining can be systematic and benefit the whole state. “Because of lack of proper rules and regulations we have not benefited anything from natural resources so far,” he added.
Stating that Nagaland has many other minerals to be explored, Zeliang said that once the Department has proper rules and regulations for oil, natural gas and coal; exploration of other minerals would easily follow. “Unless stock yard is set up in the Nagaland, we will not know how much of coal is mined and as a result we will not be able to assess accurate revenue made by the State,” Zeliang said.
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