Business Association of Nagas (BAN) unequivocally supports the Central Nagaland Tribes Council’s (CNTC) stand on petroleum exploration and production in the state which is one of the most pressing requirements for our 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.
Some of the major challenges that the present world economy faces are energy security. The announcement made by the Prime Minister in the International fora on India’s enhanced renewable energy target of 450GW means that in less than 10 years, renewable energy will account for 57 percent of the country’s installed capacity. Experts say that by 2030 non-fossil fuel capacity could be as much as 65 percent. This is going to bring about a major shift in the way energy is harvested.
At present, global transport is heavily dependent on fossil fuels, which is expected to decline drastically in coming years. While the world is heading towards renewable economy, 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? Our Gross State Domestic Product contribution to national GDP is hardly 0.147% while our state has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country.
Assam government earns more than Rs 2000 Cr. 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.
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. BAN therefore appeal 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.
