Article 297 of Constitution of India
Article 297 of Constitution of India deals with Things of value within territorial waters or continental shelf and resources of the exclusive economic zone to vest in the Union
Original Text of Article 297 of Constitution of India
(1) All lands, minerals and other things of value underlying the ocean within the territorial waters, or the continental shelf, or the exclusive economic zone, of India shall vest in the Union and be held for the purposes of the Union.
(2) All other resources of the exclusive economic zone of India shall also vest in the Union and be held for the purposes of the Union.
(3) The limits of the territorial waters, the continental shelf, the exclusive economic zone, and other maritime zones, of India shall be such as may be specified, from time to time, by or under any law made by Parliament.]
Questions related to Article 297 of Constitution of India
Article 297 declares that all lands, minerals, and resources like oil and natural gas within the territorial waters, continental shelf, and exclusive economic zone of India vest in the Union Government, as per the Constitution of India.
It was added to ensure that strategic resources found in maritime zones are controlled by the Union, safeguarding national interests, as per the intent of the Articles of Indian Constitution.
According to Article 297 and clarified under Indian Kanoon, the Union Government has exclusive ownership over these resources, not the states.
Article 297 restricts states from claiming ownership over offshore resources, centralizing control under the Union to ensure uniform regulation and national security, as provided by the Indian Constitution.
You can visit Indian Kanoon for legal texts and judgments related to Article 297, or refer to UPSC notes on the Articles of Indian Constitution for a simplified understanding.
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