Centre, Nagaland discuss disputed oil exploration issue

Amid row over Nagaland independently seeking to explore and excavate oil and natural gas, state Chief Minister T R Zeliang today called on Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradesh to discuss the issues.
Citing Article 371 A, which gives it a special status similar to that enjoyed by Jammu and Kashmir, Nagaland had in 2012 invited expressions of interest for oil and gas exploration, a subject which constitutionally is with the Centre.
The Centre had previously written to the state government asking it to withdraw the Nagaland Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulations and Rules.
"North-East is a focus area of the NDA Government, and it will continue to play an important role in securing energy needs of the country," Pradhan said after the meeting.

He said the constitutional issue of right to explore for oil and gas was discussed but refused to divulge details.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by state Home Minister Y Patton and Power Minister Neiba Kronu.

"We discussed the issues of exploration and production of oil and gas in the state," Pradhan said.
The Nagaland Assembly on July 26, 2010, passed a resolution that in respect of ownership and transfer of land and its resources including mineral oil, no Act of Parliament shall apply to the state, which shall make appropriate rules to apply and enforce within the state.
Nagaland then invited companies to explore for oil and gas, to which seven firm like Metropolitan Oil and Gas Pvt Ltd, Kaashivishweshvara Minerals Pvt Ltd, Sila Energy Holdings Pvt Ltd, Deep Industries, Linkson and Sons, Jubilant and Assam Oil evinced interest.

The Petroleum Ministry had on June 13, 2013 written saying Article 371 A "does not confer legislative power" to Nagaland "for regulation and development of mineral oil".
It was of the opinion that the Nagaland regulations "lacks constitutional validity" and that the matter has "serious constitutional and economic implications". It asked the Nagaland government to withdraw the notification and rescind the new rules.
It against wrote again on November 21. Nagaland has so far stuck to its guns.