Western Sümi Committee seeks transparency in Nagaland oil exploration

The Western Sümi Area Oil & Natural Resources Committee (WSAONRC) has submitted a representation to Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio seeking transparency regarding oil and natural gas exploration in the state. The committee is calling for the public disclosure of all Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) signed by the state government concerning resource extraction.

A central point of the request involves revenue-sharing arrangements within the Disputed Area Belt (DAB) along the Assam-Nagaland border. The WSAONRC cited a figure of Rs 9,903.63 crore as revenue generated by Assam from eight drilling points in the DAB between 2017 and 2022, asking for clarification on Nagaland’s rightful share. However, parliamentary data from 2022 indicates that the cited figure may refer to total royalties paid on crude oil from all fields in Assam rather than specifically the eight DAB fields.

The committee also proposed the establishment of an oil refinery and gas plant at Niuland and Ganesh Nagar to foster local employment and economic development. Furthermore, the WSAONRC urged the government to ensure all exploration activities adhere to the constitutional protections provided under Article 371A, specifically regarding land and natural resources.