MAINS 2013
GS2
10 marks
Recent directives from Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas are perceived by the Nagas as a threat to override the exceptional status enjoyed by the State. Discuss in light of Article 371A of the Indian Constitution.
WRITE IN
7 min
200 words
What the examiner wants
Discuss whether central petroleum directives clash with Nagaland's special status under Article 371A.
DiscussExplain the different sides of the issue, use evidence, and finish with a balanced view.
Demand-wise check
- 1Article 371A: no Act of Parliament on Naga religious/social practices, customary law, civil-criminal justice by customary law, and ownership and transfer of land and its resources, unless the Assembly resolves≈35 words
- 2Naga view: 'land and its resources' includes oil; state framed its own petroleum regulations (2012)≈35 words
- 3Centre's view: mineral oil regulation is a Union subject (Entry 53, Union List); ORDA 1948 applies≈35 words
- 4Way forward: dialogue, revenue sharing, link to Naga peace process≈35 words
Open in about 30 words and close in about 30.
Answer plan
Text of 371ADispute backgroundState's interpretationCentre's interpretationResolution path
Where marks usually go
- Not quoting the 'land and its resources' clause, which is the heart of the dispute
- Ignoring the Union List entry on oilfields
Draw this
- Table: Nagaland's claim vs Centre's claim with legal basis
Value addition
- FactONGC suspended operations in Nagaland in 1994 amid local opposition.ONGC
- ConstitutionEntry 53, Union List: regulation and development of oilfields and mineral oil resources.Seventh Schedule
Mapped topper copies
Reviewed public-source references related to this PYQ. Same-syllabus references are labelled separately.
- Alfred Thomas · Page 15 ↗Reviewed PYQ reference
- Akash Kumar · AIR 101 · Page 9 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Aditya Srivastava · AIR 1 · Page 29 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Shakti Dubey · AIR 1 · Page 7 ↗Same syllabus reference
Links open original public sources. MainsBuddy does not host these answer sheets.
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