Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio addressing the consultation meet on the Rights of the Nagas on Land & its Resources at the Heritage, Old DC Complex Kohima on June 28. (DIPR Photo)
Dimapur, June 28 (MExN): Chief Minister of Nagaland Neiphiu Rio today said Article 371 (A) confers authority on the State Legislative Assembly to take the final decision on land and resources and act as custodian of the Naga people rights and interests.
He was speaking during the consultative meeting about rights of the Nagas on land and its resources, on June 28 at the Heritage in Kohima, according to an official news bulletin filed from Kohima. The statement from the chief minister comes amid another resolution during the consultations that the apex tribal organizations endorse the “approach of the Cabinet Sub-Committee in relation to land and its resources in Nagaland and particularly in relation to regulation and development of petroleum and natural gas.”
Apex tribal orgs endorse ‘Cabinet approach’
He said that the Article confers authority on the State Legislative Assembly to make the final decision on these issues making the Nagaland Legislative Assembly the custodian of the Naga people rights and interest under Article 371-A. The chief minister was of the view that Nagaland is blessed with huge deposits of mineral resources, which if properly exploited and utilized, can bring about economic boom and prosperity to the people of the state.
The chief minister was of the view that Nagaland is blessed with huge deposits of mineral resources, which if properly exploited and utilized, can bring about an economic boom and prosperity to the people of the State. He said that Changpang oil field alone is in the estimate of 20 million metric tones of crude oil. Oil extraction started during the 1960s in the state; it was discontinued due to the “various problems” and efforts have been made to resume explorations but no substantive progress could be made, he added.
Neiphiu Rio said that the consultative meet was being held with regard to the right of the Nagas under Article 371-A of the Indian Constitution, with special reference to ‘land and its resources’. The chief minister said Article 371 (A) was a special constitutional safeguard for the preservation and protection of the Naga way of life. He acknowledges the ownership of land and its resources by the people of Nagaland.
As provided by Article 371-A, he said, the matter has become ‘our duty to frame our own laws and regulations and to work out the modalities for exploration and exploitation of our mineral resources and for sharing the benefits amongst the stakeholder in an equitable manner.’
The state government, as the elected representatives of the Naga people, has the right as well as the duty to protect the interest of the entire Naga people on this issue and whatever royalty comes to the government would be judiciously used for the benefit and welfare of the people of the state, he claimed.
Convener of the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Petroleum and Natural Gas, TR Zeliang said that the Government of Nagaland for the first time has chosen to have a rightful and meaningful consultation with the Naga ‘Hohos’ and other civil organizations.
He said the Nagaland Legislative Assembly unanimously passed a resolution on July 26 2011 empowering the Nagas as the masters of their own lands and the resources. Therefore, he said, the government has decided that petroleum and natural gas are explored and produced in Nagaland to benefit both the landowners and the government of Nagaland. Zeliang said the Cabinet Sub-Committee desires to proceed further after consultation with the land owners and that the Government of Nagaland will play the role of regulator.
Various tribal organizations (“hoho”) and members of civil organizations took part in the discussions. Naga Hoho, APO, ENPO, Ao Senden, Lotha Hoho, Zeliangrong Baudi, Pochury Public Forum, Sumi Hoho, Chakhesang Public Organization, NSF and ENSF all took part in the discussion and expressed their views and opinions.
The consultations concluded with the apex organizations resolving to fully endorse ‘the approach of the Cabinet Sub-Committee in relation to land and its resources in Nagaland and particularly in relation to regulation and development of petroleum and natural gas, as laid down in the “consultation paper.” Secondly, they resolved to endorse the Cabinet Sub-Committee to frame necessary rules and modalities for exploration and extraction of petroleum and natural gas in the state of Nagaland, at the earliest.
Tribal organizations wishing to make suggestions to the rules and modalities are to submit in writing to the Cabinet Sub-Committee on or before July 15.
He was speaking during the consultative meeting about rights of the Nagas on land and its resources, on June 28 at the Heritage in Kohima, according to an official news bulletin filed from Kohima. The statement from the chief minister comes amid another resolution during the consultations that the apex tribal organizations endorse the “approach of the Cabinet Sub-Committee in relation to land and its resources in Nagaland and particularly in relation to regulation and development of petroleum and natural gas.”
Apex tribal orgs endorse ‘Cabinet approach’
He said that the Article confers authority on the State Legislative Assembly to make the final decision on these issues making the Nagaland Legislative Assembly the custodian of the Naga people rights and interest under Article 371-A. The chief minister was of the view that Nagaland is blessed with huge deposits of mineral resources, which if properly exploited and utilized, can bring about economic boom and prosperity to the people of the state.
The chief minister was of the view that Nagaland is blessed with huge deposits of mineral resources, which if properly exploited and utilized, can bring about an economic boom and prosperity to the people of the State. He said that Changpang oil field alone is in the estimate of 20 million metric tones of crude oil. Oil extraction started during the 1960s in the state; it was discontinued due to the “various problems” and efforts have been made to resume explorations but no substantive progress could be made, he added.
Neiphiu Rio said that the consultative meet was being held with regard to the right of the Nagas under Article 371-A of the Indian Constitution, with special reference to ‘land and its resources’. The chief minister said Article 371 (A) was a special constitutional safeguard for the preservation and protection of the Naga way of life. He acknowledges the ownership of land and its resources by the people of Nagaland.
As provided by Article 371-A, he said, the matter has become ‘our duty to frame our own laws and regulations and to work out the modalities for exploration and exploitation of our mineral resources and for sharing the benefits amongst the stakeholder in an equitable manner.’
The state government, as the elected representatives of the Naga people, has the right as well as the duty to protect the interest of the entire Naga people on this issue and whatever royalty comes to the government would be judiciously used for the benefit and welfare of the people of the state, he claimed.
Convener of the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Petroleum and Natural Gas, TR Zeliang said that the Government of Nagaland for the first time has chosen to have a rightful and meaningful consultation with the Naga ‘Hohos’ and other civil organizations.
He said the Nagaland Legislative Assembly unanimously passed a resolution on July 26 2011 empowering the Nagas as the masters of their own lands and the resources. Therefore, he said, the government has decided that petroleum and natural gas are explored and produced in Nagaland to benefit both the landowners and the government of Nagaland. Zeliang said the Cabinet Sub-Committee desires to proceed further after consultation with the land owners and that the Government of Nagaland will play the role of regulator.
Various tribal organizations (“hoho”) and members of civil organizations took part in the discussions. Naga Hoho, APO, ENPO, Ao Senden, Lotha Hoho, Zeliangrong Baudi, Pochury Public Forum, Sumi Hoho, Chakhesang Public Organization, NSF and ENSF all took part in the discussion and expressed their views and opinions.
The consultations concluded with the apex organizations resolving to fully endorse ‘the approach of the Cabinet Sub-Committee in relation to land and its resources in Nagaland and particularly in relation to regulation and development of petroleum and natural gas, as laid down in the “consultation paper.” Secondly, they resolved to endorse the Cabinet Sub-Committee to frame necessary rules and modalities for exploration and extraction of petroleum and natural gas in the state of Nagaland, at the earliest.
Tribal organizations wishing to make suggestions to the rules and modalities are to submit in writing to the Cabinet Sub-Committee on or before July 15.
