Oil drilling: ATSUM- Govt ready for showdown
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, January 10 2014 : Voicing strongly against exploitation of natural resources in hill areas of the State, All Tribal Students' Union, Manipur (ATSUM) has been pressuring the authorities concerned to revoke the licenses of the companies engaged in oil drilling works at some hill areas in the State.

The oil drilling works are likely to be disrupted in the near future due to mounting pressure from the ATSUM.

However, the State Government is committed to thwart any obstruction to the oil drilling.

Moreover, the Government is planning to organize mass awareness programmes on exploration of natural resources and its benefits to the people.

The awareness programme would be organized to sensitize the people on various aspects of oil drilling and make them aware of the agreement signed between the State Government and the companies, assurance for not causing harm to the environment in the process of oil drilling, benefits from exploration of petroleum and natural gases in other states, and prevention of disasters with relevant case studies.

The Chief Secretary would also discuss organizing field trips to oil drilling sites in Assam and Tripura along with the representatives of ATSUM and other social organizations.

The oil drilling began in the State after the contract was awarded to a company by Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gases, and later a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the State Government and the company.

The Jubilant House Private Limited is undertaking the oil drilling works at two places in Churachandpur and Tamenglong districts.

Even though there is much likelihood of the presence of petroleum products in the State, there is no guarantee that petroleum products would be found in the speculated areas alone.

Even in case the petroleum is found, the company exploring the petroleum products would experience loss if the amount turns out to be little.

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