Dimapur, June 1 (MExN): In support of the Central Nagaland Tribes Council’s (CNTC) stand on petroleum exploration and production in the State, the Business Association of Nagas (BAN) stated that it is one of the most pressing requirements for the state economy.
“Unless we explore and capitalise on the natural resources available in the state now, it would rather be late for us to make gainful usage of the potential resources,” BAN, President, L Mongkum Jamir and General Secretary, Dr Yan Murry stated in a press release.
While the world is heading towards renewable economy, BAN questioned, “Why are we still holding back on oil exploration and production? Why is our Government not acting seriously on exploration & production of fossil fuel in the state when our state fiscal deficit is mounting and the state economy is reeling at all-time low?”
It added that Nagaland’s Gross State Domestic Product contribution to national GDP is hardly 0.147% while the state has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country.
According to BAN, Assam government earns more than Rs 2000 crore revenue annually from oil royalty alone, while for the last three decades Nagaland has earned nothing from oil production contrary to the claim of having many potentialities. “Whom should we blame for this choking economy if not for ourselves? “The inactivity of the successive governments, the delusion of considerable national workers, the sycophant in several Naga organisations and beggars’ mentality amongst many of our people has brought us to this stage,” it alleged.
The BAN also highlighted that “there are lakhs of youths that are now frustrated and will do anything to protect their existential threat unless infrastructure and avenues are been created to accommodate them in a meaningful and productive engagement.” Therefore, it appealed to the Government to act proactively towards building the right environment and should not delay any more for opening up exploration of fossil fuel in the State.
