Kohima, Oct 9 : The Nagaland government today stressed the need to harness the rich mineral resources which have not yet been tapped because of the landholding system in the state.
Chief minister Neiphiu Rio addressed a consultative meeting comprising civil society, tribal hohos, ministers, MLAs, senior officials, heads of departments and district administration heads at Naga heritage village Kisama on ownership of land and its resources, municipal election and reservation for women.
He regretted that there was increasing reluctance among Nagas to part with their land when it was required for public purposes.
Even the Nagaland Land (Requisition and Acquisition) Act, 1965, which empowers the state government to acquire land for public purposes on payment of reasonable compensation, has not helped the state government in acquiring land for public projects and development, he added.
The chief minister said the Sarkaria Commission had stated in its reports that Nagaland had a special status in the matter of land and its resources, including minerals. It recommended that the Centre and the state through discussion should resolve the issue of mineral exploration in Nagaland.
Rio said the Centre had already issued an order recognising the special status of Nagaland and directed that Nagaland be given two per cent add-on royalty over and above the normal royalty of 20 per cent on mineral oil and gas.
The state government had taken a decision that 2 per cent of the main royalty, plus 25 per cent add-on royalty would be given to the land owners in addition to the normal land compensation for the oil-bearing areas.
It was also decided that 50 per cent of the add-on royalty would be distributed to all village development boards in addition to the existing household grant.
The state government has constituted a cabinet sub-committee to study this issue. The committee had submitted its interim report and on the basis of this, a resolution was passed by the Assembly in July reiterating the special right of the Naga people in the matter of ownership and transfer of land and its resources. It also affirmed the right of the state government as the elected and legitimate representative of the people, to regulate and control the exploration and exploitation of minerals.
On elections to the municipal and town councils, which have been deferred for some months because of opposition from some quarters over the reservations for the women, Rio said, “In modern times, societies which do not accord an equitable and honourable status to their women are considered to be backward, underdeveloped or even primitive.”
Seven Naga tribal Hohos said if the state government wanted to have any meaningful and effective broad-based consultation, the process should begin from the grassroots level.
In a joint statement, the Kyong Hoho, Zeliang Public Organisation, Rengma Hoho, Pochury Public Forum, Chakhro Public Organisation, Sumi Hoho and Ao Senden, have said such discussions must address 10 points of concern.