Nagaland govt holds consultative meet with stakeholders on oil and gas exploration, ULB

During the meeting the State government presented extensively the backgrounds of the oil exploration in the state since the early 70’s.

The Nagaland government today held a consultative meeting chaired by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio with all the tribal bodies and civil society organisations to deliberate on matters pertaining to oil and gas exploration and production, urban local body polls, Registration of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN) and the Nagaland Village and Tribal Councils Act, 1978.

During the meeting the State government presented extensively the backgrounds of the oil exploration in the state since the early 70’s. The department of geology and mining also made a power point presentation on the mineral well especially in the oil and the natural gas sector.

Clarifying that no MoU has been signed with regard to oil exploration, Minister of Power and Parliamentary Affairs, K.G Kenye maintained that the Chief Ministers of Nagaland and Assam has reached a certain level of understanding and because the Centre was insisting that the two states should settle the border dispute outside the court, as it was done in the cases of Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh. Kenye said Nagaland Chief Minister was also persuaded to reach to an understanding with Assam.

The process of consultation is going on, said Kenye adding that the stand of the government is to try to reach unanimity and consensus.

On query to the opposition from NSCN-IM and 7 NNPGs, Kenye informed that formation of a Political Affairs committee (PAC) is being mooted and the new PAC will take up this issue with the concerned people.

On the issue of ULB, Kenye said Tribal bodies and CSOs have highly appreciated the move of the government to repeal the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001 and they have urged the government to constitute a panel at the earliest and frame the new rules accordingly.

With regard to Registration of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN), Kenye said that 1 December 1963 will be the cutoff date. However, it will have categories and provisions for concessions for people who were settled on Nagaland prior to statehood for better understanding.

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