Dear Sir,
Greetings from the Business Association of Nagas (BAN), a conglomeration of first generation entrepreneurs working for the upliftment of our economy and by changing the mindset of the young people towards business.
At the very outset, the undersigned on behalf of BAN would like to congratulate you for the mammoth responsibility you have taken up to serve the people. It is indeed for the first time in the political history of India, Hon’ble Prime Minister had found the true potential five of our dynamic leaders from North East to be represented in the Union Ministry, which is by no means a small leap. Your short stint in the Ministry of Food processing is been an exemplary for the North East where you have made your presence felt to the Nation. Your shift to the present Ministry is something very dear to your heart and the North East and we have the highest confidence that you will bring about the change that would benefit the nation.
The quest for sources to power India’s economy and a serious thought and urgent action in the area of energy security is unquestionably one of the major commitment of our Hon’ble Prime Minister. Having said so, it is also equally important to let the States under the Union secure the benefit of the enormous resources and share the wealth for the overall economic development of the country. While ushering peace in the State, Nagaland Government is losing out on major financial benefits and long term gainful employment and business opportunities that can be generated out of oil exploration & production activities for the Nagas, but just because of the tussle between the Centre and State Government over the policy decision there are colossal economic losses to the State and the Country. This needs to be immediately addressed so that we should experience the fruit of the State resources instead of wholly depending on the mercy of the Central Government.
We would therefore like to make the following point for favour of your considerate action.
- Open up the DAB (Disturbed Area Belt) area for exploration and extraction on revenue sharing basis between Assam and Nagaland.
- The Central Government should immediately give clearance to State Government for issuance of PEL license to PSU/ NOC in order to invest in the State and ascertain hydrocarbon prospects and reserves within the awarded Block. The geological & geophysical (G&G) data that will be acquired (at no cost to the State Government) will be processed and analysed to confirm the presence of hydrocarbon reserves which will be of great value and significance to the Government in future.
The lone Lok Sabha Member of Nagaland Shri. Tokheho Yepthomi in his press release made very pertinent mention through the queries raised in the parliament regarding oil fields along Assam-Nagaland boundary, when he highlights the fact that While Assam earns thousands of crores as royalty from crude oil, Nagaland loses Rupees 5 crores per day on oil revenue. This is the reality of our State. We want to be a major contributor in the nation’s GDP. The irony is that while we have been blessed with abundant natural resources, we are languishing in one of the most adverse infrastructure, sinking deep as one of the most unsuitable state in the country to live. The state fiscal deficit is mounting and the state economy is at all time low. The future looks very bleak for the Nagas since we don’t envisage any foreseeable revenue coming our way while sitting on an oil rich resource, unless we open this up for exploration. We’re not going to save ourself by going around with a begging bowL as is the practice now. ‘Economic Activities’ through industrialization can only bring about long term sustainability, gainful employment opportunities and all round development for the State and the Nation.
Crude oil may lose its value and relevance if global nations push for alternate sources of energy in the near future. Under such circumstances, BAN cannot afford to remain dormant towards the very natural resources trampled useless, while it could transform the entire state. It is time for the State Government to use its privilege and act proactively to bring about this exploration in the State with no more procrastination. The Centre should release all the clutches that had hindered the State to move forward if the State has to contribute its due share in the Nation Building.
For Business Association of Nagas.
L MONGKUM JAMIR
President
DR. YAN MURRY
General Secretary
