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Pema Khandu[/caption]
Itanagar, Sep. 23 (IANS): State-run Oil India Ltd (Oil) officials on Monday called on Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu here and requested him to enable the forest and environment clearances for seven oil blocks in this mountainous state.
The Oil officials led by its Resident Chief Executive Indrajit Baruah informed Khandu that Oil has 7 blocks of interest in Arunachal Pradesh mostly in the eastern parts, which also share boundaries with Assam.
The other Oil officials who were present in the meeting included Chief General Manager (FB), Arijit Sharma, DCE (PO), S Basumatary, GM (FB), R Kalita, DGM Planning, M. Potom, DGM (FE), U. Gogoi, Senior Manager (PA), and K. Buragohain, Geologist.
During the meeting, the Oil officials explained in detail activities of the petroleum company in Arunachal Pradesh, its plans and proposals and issues wherein the state government's cooperation was required.
"As parts of few of these blocks fall in reserve forest or wildlife sanctuaries, exploration in these parts are yet to start for want of requisite clearances," an official said.
While Oil's Petroleum Exploration Licence (PEL) for the Namchik and Jairampur Extension blocks are still valid, the PEL for the Demoali block is under process with the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
The officials requested early issuance of Forest Clearances for the identified blocks so that Environment Clearance can be obtained from the Central Ministry to begin survey and exploration.
"With availability of fossil fuels in the region the company is ready to enhance its production, which will subsequently increase the revenue generating capacity of the state government," another OIil official said.
Oil has paid about INR 5 crore to the Arunachal Pradesh government as royalty last financial year.
The officials said that with the increase in production levels, the royalty would shoot up in coming years.
Giving the status on the proposed cross-country pipeline project that would start from Kumchai (Kharsang) in Arunachal Pradesh to Oil's Duliajan facility in Assam, the officials said that a detail project report, including soil survey and cadastral land survey, will be submitted to the state government by the second week of October.
The proposed cross-country pipeline would cover a distance of 60 km, of which 18.85 km will be within Arunachal Pradesh territory.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu has promised the Oil officials of all cooperation and support in their endeavours in Arunachal Pradesh.
He said his office is always open to any coordination and support required by Oil while directing the concerned department to fast-track the issuance of forest clearances wherever needed.
According to the officials, Khandu pointed that the state government is giving top priority in investment, employment and revenue generation in which companies like Oil can become important allies.
"Geology and mining is a very important sector that has not drawn much attention of the government in the past. But today we are aware of its huge potential and we are opening up in a big way for exploration and tapping it for a better future of our people," he said.
When informed that Oil has about 20 officials from Arunachal Pradesh in its hierarchy, besides several skilled technicians, Khandu expressed gratitude and the hope that with expansion of its activities in the state, Oil will offer more and better employment opportunities to the youth of the state.
