Article 371A and Coal Mining Regulations in Nagaland

GS Paper II Polity

Context:

Article 371A of the Constitution of India has been the major hurdle in the Nagaland government’s efforts to regulate small-scale illegal coal mining activities in the State.

Article 371A had impeded ensuring the scientific mining of coal across five districts in the State.

No Act of Parliament in respect of religious or social practices of the Nagas, Naga customary law and procedure, administration of civil and criminal justice involving decisions according to Naga customary law, and ownership and transfer of land and its resources, shall apply to Nagaland unless the state Assembly decides by a resolution to do so.

Role of Governor: The Governor shall have special responsibility concerning law and order in the state for as long as internal disturbances continue therein or in any part thereof, and he shall exercise his judgment in this matter after consulting the Council of Ministers.
Regional Council: There shall be established a regional council for the Tuensang district, consisting of 35 members and the Governor shall make rules for its composition and functioning.
Power of Regional Council: The regional council shall have powers concerning making laws on certain matters such as land, forests, fisheries, village administration, inheritance of property, marriage and divorce, social customs etc., within the Tuensang district.

Rate Hole mining refers to the narrow pits dug into the ground, which are just large enough for one person to descend and extract coal.
Once the pits are dug, miners descend to the coal seams using ropes or bamboo ladders. They, then, extract coal manually using primitive tools such as shovels, pickaxes etc.

Also Read: Coal Mines In India

News Source: The Hindu

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