Responding to Green Foundation, Wokha (GFW) contention that PIL cannot be construed as obstructing the efforts of the state government in finding a solution to the vexed issue of land and its resources, the state minister planning & convenor of the cabinet sub-committee on petroleum and natural gas T.R. Zeliang Friday said he was not against filing of PIL as he fully acknowledged the right of any citizen to seek redressal of grievances.
Responding to the GFW remark, which described his contention that oil spill affected communities remained silent for the past 17 years as a “blatant lie”; Zeliang explained “simple intention of quoting 17 years was to say that for nearly two decades there has been no positive action on the issue.” He said claiming of compensation from operating agency for the past period was a different issue.
TR Zeliang said he was of the opinion that it would “not be appropriate” to invite the “same agency”(ONGC), which created the mess, to even clean up the oil spillage at “this stage”, in view of the July 26,2011 resolution passed by the state assembly which effectively meant cancellation of all licenses issued earlier.
He said permitting ONGC to clear oil spills would be tantamount to revalidating their earlier PML.
He also disclosed that taking cognizance of various representations of NGOs, landowners and other stake holders, the proposal of the geology & mining department for clean up has been accepted and funds have been earmarked during the current financial year.
The minister said it was noteworthy to observe that GFW was supportive of the efforts of the state government, which had gone a long way now through cabinet sub-committee in enabling establishment of the rights of the Nagas on land and its resources. He said this was “clearly reflected in the reply to the union minister to the parliament question on March 10, 2011, which acknowledged the rights of the state government to pass resolution under Article 371 A.”
He said cabinet sub-committee has only the best of intentions for the welfare of the people and working towards it. He added that the panel has already initiated process of addressing the hazards of oil spillage and would continue to do whatever it could and sought cooperation of all.
“If there is any confusion or in case any clarification is required the cabinet sub-committee welcomes any citizen for discussion,” the convenor invited.
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