Rising People’s Party (RPP) has described as “alarming and unprecedented” the Jal Shakti Ministry notification, which warned ground water users to take permission from the Central Ground Water Authority on or before September 30, 2022 or face action.
RPP stated that every tubewell, borewell, traditional wells, would have to be registered with CGWA and permission sought for every extraction in the future if the order is implemented.
RPP said Nagaland was still unable to extract oil and minerals despite the right guaranteed under Article 371 A. However, it said that the notification has “made an absolutely mockery of our rights over ‘Land and its resources’ and this cannot go unchallenged.”
Admitting that some regulation was required, which should be under the purview of the state government, RPP, however, affirmed to oppose “this illegal notification tooth and nail.”
RPP urged the general public not to submit to the central directive because there was larger issue of constitutional rights involved as guaranteed under Art. 371A. It said that “NDPP-BJP team” should write immediately to the Jal Shakti Ministry and convey that the notification was illegal and cannot be implemented.
RPP further said that the NDPP-BJP should resolutely convey to the BJP government at Centre that even laws passed by the Parliament shall not apply to the state of Nagaland unless the State Assembly so decides. “Therefore, a mere notification of a ministry, is considered null and void,” RPP said. The party maintained that Naga people were watching whether NDPP-BJP team would have “the same zest to go to Delhi on an issue which does not have monetary benefit for both the parties.”