Kohima, March 19: Nagaland remains industrially backward even after 50 years of statehood because of many factors, including insurgency, but primarily due to lack of political will.

A report of the Nagaland State Mineral Development Corporation Ltd says the state lags behind many younger states in industrialisation as due importance has never been given to the industrial sector, especially the mineral-based industries.

The report says the state has huge potential to set up mineral-based industries. “It is high time that due importance is given to the mineral sector, which will automatically lead to the establishment of other industries in the state. Development of mineral-based industries means development of rural areas.”

Keeping this in mind, the corporation proposes to focus on areas such as oil and natural gas, coal mining, limestone-based industries, magnetite deposits having nickel, cobalt and chromium.

During the Twelfth Plan, the corporation also proposes to take up mineral development activities and continue the existing projects .

Under the benefit maximisation schemes, it proposes to upgrade decorative and dimensional stone plants at Chumukedima and Wazeho.

The corporation has proposed an outlay of Rs 2,747 lakh for the Twelfth Plan.

Nagaland has good prospects for extraction of oil and gas and is all set for extraction at Champang oilfield in Wokha district. Canoro Resource Ltd of Canada has completed its seismic survey in Mokokchung district while Asian Oilfield Ltd, in collaboration with the corporation, had carried out the same in Wokha, Dimapur and Peren. But the survey was suspended because of problems with landowners.