Author name: OnlineAge

KOHIMA, SEP 1: The Nagaland government on Tuesday withdrew the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority Bill, which the Assembly deferred in March, and introduced a revised one in the same name on the first day of the Monsoon Session to set up a new administrative body for the eastern parts of the state. Speaker Sharingain Longkumer announced the Bill would be taken up for consideration and passage on Thursday. Members of the House have been asked to submit any amendments or clarifications by 2 pm on Wednesday. In February, the Centre signed a tripartite agreement with the state government and the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) for the formation of a Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA), a long-standing demand for a new administrative body within the state aimed at addressing the demands of eastern Nagaland. The ENPO, the apex body representing eight tribes across six eastern districts — Mon, Tuensang, Longleng, Kiphire, Noklak and Shamator — has been demanding a separate state since 2010, alleging decades of neglect. It later agreed to the Centre’s proposal for a certain degree of autonomy under the FNTA framework. The earlier version of the Bill was deferred by the Assembly in March after concerns were raised over the proposed authority’s powers and its constitutional and legal implications. Following consultations with stakeholders, the state government worked on a revised proposal to address the concerns. On Tuesday, Deputy Chief Minister Yanthungo Patton moved a motion to withdraw the earlier version of the FNTA Bill, and it was withdrawn. He then moved for leave to freshly introduce the FNTA Bill, 2026, and it was tabled in the House. Five other Bills were also introduced in the House on the first day of the session. Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio introduced the Nagaland Goods and Services Tax (Eleventh Amendment) Bill, 2026, the Nagaland Goods and Services Tax (Twelfth Amendment) Bill, 2026, the Nagaland Town & Country Planning (Sixth Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the Nagaland Right to Public Services Bill, 2026. Health Minister P Paiwang Konyak introduced the Nagaland Paramedical Council (Repeal) Bill, 2026. These bills would also be taken up for passage on Thursday, the Speaker said. (Source: PTI)    

KOHIMA, SEP 1: The Naga Students’ Federation on Tuesday marched to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, demanding a resolution against the singing of Vande Mataram at official events, saying the protest was not intended to insult the nation but was prompted by the song being “against our faith”. On the first day of the Monsoon session of the Assembly in the Christian-majority northeastern state, the protesters marched from Naga Solidarity Park, raising slogans. NSF president Mteisuding said the students’ organisation would not compromise on the rights and religious beliefs of the Naga people. “We outrightly reject the imposition of Vande Mataram as it goes against our religion,” he said, while clarifying the protest was not intended to insult the nation or the national song. Mteisuding called upon the Naga people to stand for their “right to protect their faith”. He also urged Naga MLAs to prioritise their religious convictions, saying, “They are Christians first, then politicians.” The NSF president said they demand the Assembly pass a resolution against the singing or playing of Vande Mataram at official as well as private programmes in the state. He said the move was aimed at safeguarding the secular character of society. Mteisuding further informed the gathering that the NSF had submitted a representation to the chief minister and the Assembly speaker, urging them to facilitate the adoption of an Assembly resolution against the imposition of Vande Mataram. The NSF would continue its protest and remain outside the Assembly gate until the resolution was adopted, he added. The Monsoon session of the Assembly will conclude on Thursday. (Source: PTI)    

SHILLONG, SEPT 1: Sohra and Mawsynram, renowned for their record-breaking rainfall, witnessed deficient rainfall yet again as Meghalaya recorded a 38 per cent shortfall in August, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. The state received 359.7 mm of rainfall during August against the normal 581.6 mm, the weather office said. At the district level, West Jaintia Hills recorded the highest deficit at 75 per cent, followed by West Garo Hills at 72 per cent, West Khasi Hills at 60 per cent and North Garo Hills at 58 per cent, it added. East Khasi Hills, home to Sohra and Mawsynram, recorded a 42 per cent deficit, while East Garo Hills and Ri Bhoi recorded 22 per cent each and East Jaintia Hills 24 per cent below normal. South Garo Hills was near normal with a 9 per cent deficit, while South West Khasi Hills recorded a large excess of 155 per cent, the highest among the districts. Rainfall data for South West Garo Hills was not available, the report said. August’s deficit followed a 9 per cent shortfall in July, while rainfall in June was near normal. In July, North Garo Hills recorded the highest deficit at 22 per cent, while South West Garo Hills received normal rainfall, with no departure from the normal. The sharp deterioration in August was reflected across most districts, with eight of the 11 districts recording deficient rainfall, while only South West Khasi Hills registered a large excess, the IMD data showed. (Source: PTI)    

GUWAHATI, SEP 1: Vedanta Oil and Gas Ltd on Tuesday said it has joined hands with Beicip-Franlab India Pvt Ltd to accelerate exploration, resource maturation and production growth in the Northeast. The integrated seismic and subsurface programme will cover nine Open Acreage Licensing Programme (OALP) blocks and one Discovered Small Field (DSF) block, bringing exploration, resource evaluation and development planning under a single technical framework. “This collaboration aims at identifying and further developing new drilling opportunities while unlocking additional value from existing discoveries and producing assets,” the Vedanta Group firm said in a statement. As part of the engagement, subsurface and reservoir integrated entity Beicip-Franlab will undertake seismic interpretation, geological and reservoir studies, prospect ranking, resource assessment and field development planning across priority assets, including new and existing fields like Hazarigaon and Rudra in the Northeast. Speaking on the partnership, Vedanta Oil and Gas Interim CEO and Whole-Time Director Jim Johnny Gast said, “Through Beicip-Franlab, we are bringing together advanced subsurface expertise and integrated technical capabilities to accelerate prospect maturation, strengthen our exploration portfolio and unlock greater value from existing assets.” The Northeast holds significant untapped hydrocarbon potential and is a key pillar of our growth strategy, he added. “This programme will help build a robust pipeline of drill-ready opportunities while supporting our commitment to increase domestic energy production and contribute to India’s energy security,” Gast said. The opportunities identified under this initiative will subsequently progress through Vedanta Oil & Gas’ technical assurance and exploration-to-development processes, the company said. Commenting on the project, Beicip-Franlab India Managing Director Amit Singh said, “Vedanta holds a highly prospective portfolio in Northeast India, and our objective is to unlock its full value by transforming subsurface potential into tangible development opportunities.” Through integrated subsurface evaluations, resource characterisation and field development planning, Beicip-Franlab India aims to deliver a robust pipeline of drill-ready prospects, enhance resource visibility across the portfolio and identify high-impact opportunities that support sustainable production growth, he added. “Our purpose is to provide technical insight, strategic direction and decision-ready solutions required to accelerate the maturation of discoveries and prospects, enabling a more efficient and value-driven progression from exploration to development,” Singh said. The programme has the potential to unlock up to 300 MMboe (million barrels of oil equivalent) of additional resources and reserves, while also supporting production enhancement opportunities across existing fields, the statement said. The Northeast is a critical part of Vedanta Oil & Gas’ growth strategy, with the company seeking to deepen exploration activity and unlock the region’s hydrocarbon potential. In February 2025, Vedanta Group Chairman Anil Agarwal had announced that the firm would pump in Rs 50,000 crore in Assam and Tripura’s oil and gas sector over the next 3-4 years. (Source: PTI)