Mokokchung, August 19 (MTNews): The Rising People’s Party (RPP) stated today that the Ministry of Jal Shakti (Water), Government of India, has been warning Ground Water Users (GWUs), whether existing or new, to take permission from the Central Ground Water Authority on or before 30.09.2022 or else action will be taken.
This notification, RPP said, is alarming and unprecedented. “If this order is implemented, every tube well, bore well, traditional wells will have to be registered with this central body, and permission sought for every extraction in the future,” RPP said.
In this regard, RPP said that the state of Nagaland is still unable to extract oil and minerals despite the right guaranteed under Article 371 A, and went on to say that this notification has made an “absolutely mockery of our rights over ‘Land and its resources’ and this cannot go unchallenged.”
While agreeing that regulation of some sort is required, RPP stated that there is no doubt that it should be under the purview of the state government, and declared that it opposes “this illegal notification” tooth and nail. The RPP also warned the general public that “none should submit to this central directive because there’s the larger issue of constitutional rights involved as guaranteed under Article 371A.”
Further, the RPP also took a dig at the NDPP. “Recently, on the issue that the NDPP is merging into the BJP, the NDPP pooh-poohed and countered the RPP crowing that it stands for regionalism. It’s time the NDPP man up and put one’s money where one’s mouth is. This is the time for Facta Non Verba,” the RPP stated.
It also said that the NDPP led UDA Coalition should immediately write to the Ministry of Jal Shakti and tell them in no uncertain terms that this notification is illegal and cannot be implemented.
“The NDPP should also tell the BJP government in the Centre that even laws passed by the Parliament of India shall not apply to the state of Nagaland unless the Legislative Assembly of Nagaland so decides, and therefore a mere notification of a Ministry is null and void,” RPP opined.
It concluded by saying that the Naga people are watching as to whether the NDPP-BJP Coalition will have the same zeal to go to Delhi on an issue “which does not have monetary benefit for both the parties.”