Our Correspondent
Kohima | October 9
Minister for planning, veterinary & animal husbandry T. R. Zeliang asserted that the Cabinet Sub Committee under his chairmanship has been given the task formulating the guidelines/modalities for exploration and production of mineral oil and natural gas in Nagaland “so that the right of the land owners, the state of Nagaland and other concerned are duly protected as per the constitution scheme provided under Article 371 (A).”
“We are meeting soon to work out these modalities,” the minister said at the consultative meeting with civil societies and tribal Hoho on ownership of land and its resources, municipal election and women reservation at Kisama Friday. He said that once the draft modalities have been worked out, the papers will be circulated to all for their comments.
The minister said after receiving comments, and after further discussion, a policy for exploration and exploitation on natural gas and petroleum and other mineral reserves in Nagaland will be formulated for implementation. The minister also stated that the cabinet sub-committee is also contemplating to engage legal expert and economist in order to avoid all complication in the near future.
T.R. Zeliang assured that the Committee will do everything possible to bring out a uniform modality for smooth operation on natural gas and petroleum in all mineral bearing areas of the state.
These modalities which we will be working out will carefully take care of the interests of all stake holders and more particularly the interest and the right of the land owners as provided in Article 371 (A) of the Constitution of India, he said.
“It is my utmost appeal to all of you to bring forward your esteemed views, ideas and suggestions so that all questions are properly and democratically addressed,” he said. It is our earnest desire to put into complete operation the guarantees contained in Article 371 (A) so that the rights and interests of the land owners on mineral oil and natural gas bearing areas are assiduously protected, the minister added.
