Note on Natural Resources Governance

A note that i sent out to my party, the INC, for discussion during the Chintan Shivir in January 2013

Governance of Natural Resources: Basic Principles

 A note by V. Shruti Devi 19^th Jan 2013

Our Party should have a clearly articulated policy for the short term, medium term and long term governance of Natural Resources at local, state, national and international levels.

Points that should be noted/considered/discussed/understood while making these decisions are:

An understanding of what constitutes Natural Resources (these resources range from Genetic Material to Agricultural Produce to Geographical features that act as Habitats to Spectrum Allocation and Outer Space).

A reiteration of our Party’s commitment to the fundamental Right to Equality guaranteed by the Indian Constitution, and thus the right of every citizen, to have EQUITABLE ACCESS TO NATURAL RESOURCES. Articulated clarity from our Party on this, so that there is no confusion in the Government regarding our Party’s stand on this.

Pursuant to this reiteration, an analysis of all the relevant emerging and existing law and policy for its compliance with this view. (The work of non-political party civil society groups can be tapped into, and policy decisions can be taken, there is no need to reinvent the wheel or delay matters by initiating research on these aspects. There is likely to be an overlap between substantive views and systemic views such as having to deal with corruption and with ‘crony capitalism’).

Once such an analysis is compiled and once the party makes the relevant policy decisions, then specific plans to implement these deisions should be made. (Party experts and other civil society groups and grassroot workers should be consulted for these action points).

The range of intervention by the Party would have to span across State-level, Central-level and International-level structures. Please note that a futuristic stance at the international level should involve discussions on how India should take the lead in ensuring that while certain resources are gradually counted as global resources, the equitable access to resources at a global level would necessarily have to mean equitable access to all sections of societies within countries. Our Party should take on this challenge with a spirit of leadership and extend its support and expertise to tribal and other underprivileged communities worldwide, starting with India’s land and sea neighbours. For this, need to first ensure that we continue to take just stands and actions for our tribal people.

In addition to frontal organizations which already work for the Party, the Party must also take the lead in creating a space for Political Party participation in Civil Society discussions/fora (with an articulated and unified party stand on basic policy issues pertaining to natural resource governance), and act as and with Civil Society at all these levels.

This will not be an impediment to democratic functioning of the party, this level of coherence is required. It is the duty of political parties, at this juncture, to fill this void and to act as a link to a consultative planning process. Our Party should take the lead in doing so.