Morung Express News
Chümoukedima | February 11
Nagaland Chief Minister Dr Neiphiu Rio on February 11 indicated that the State Government is preparing to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to begin oil and natural gas exploration in Nagaland this year.
Addressing party members following his recent visit to New Delhi, Rio said he met Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri and submitted a formal communication regarding the matter.
“The Cabinet has taken a decision that this year, oil and natural gas exploration will start in Nagaland. It is a Cabinet decision,” he said.
Rio also disclosed that on the Assam–Nagaland border, the two states would move forward on the basis of a 50:50 royalty-sharing arrangement. He stressed that resource development was necessary in view of the State’s financial constraints.
To oversee the process, the State Government has constituted a Cabinet Sub-Committee, with the Chief Minister as Convenor, the two Deputy Chief Ministers and local elected representatives from the concerned areas as members. The Chief Secretary will serve as Member Secretary.
Emphasising transparency, Rio said the Government intends to work from the highest level and ensure proper consultations before implementation.
After the completion of the Budget session and necessary official-level processes, he said, the Government would hold detailed discussions in Nagaland, sign the MoU, and proceed with petroleum, natural gas and mineral exploration activities.
