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Our Correspondent
Kohima, May 6 (EMN): As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to create havoc across economies, Nagaland is no exception in feeling its blow; which, in turn, has prompted the state government to call upon the citizens to be “more active and serious” about agriculture-related activities in Nagaland.
“It is time to talk about self-reliance,” said Neiba Kronu, the state government’s spokesperson on Covid-19, also the minister for Planning and Co-ordination, Land Revenue and Parliamentary Affairs, while addressing a press conference in Kohima on Wednesday evening.
According to Kronu, the government of Nagaland is seriously concerned about the economy—amidst the devastation caused by the pandemic—and is planning on improving it through the agri and allied sector in particular.
He informed that the government will convene a meeting, headed by the chief minister, with the entrepreneurs in the state to discuss on how to promote local products. He added that he has already discussed the matter with local entrepreneurs as well.
Nagaland is predominantly an agrarian state with 70% of the population engaged and dependent on agriculture, as per the department of Agriculture.
When it comes to agriculture, he said that ‘our land is God-gifted’; adding that the state has also good weather conditions to practice agriculture.
Its soil is considered one of the youngest in the world, which means anything can be grown, said the minister.
‘Therefore, we should not be lagging in agriculture,’ he added.
The minister went on to say that unlike in the past, many villagers are more aware about, and prepared for, the crisis-like situation.
He also pointed out that self-sufficiency is vital in the long run, because the Centre may ‘stop giving us what we are getting now in the next few years’.
One of the main challenges is market linkages and “we have to work out some formula for that”, Kronu added.
Further, he informed that the state is allowing migrant workers stranded in Nagaland to return to their respective states, considering it is the seed-sowing season now, which is important for the country’s economy.
The minister said that the state government, under the Empowered Group, is working out strategies to bring in the citizens of Nagaland stranded in other states.
However, on their return, they will have to be compulsorily quarantined for a period of minimum 14 days, Kronu said.
About 6000 stranded students, 16000 working professionals, 300 patients were on record as stranded in other states, he informed.
Therefore, even if all the hotels and facility quarantines were included, it will not be sufficient, he said, adding that it is one of the problems the state government is facing.
According to him, they will be allowed to come to the state depending on the ‘urgency’ of the case.
As for the citizens of Nagaland stranded in Northeast region, he said that the government is trying to make arrangements ‘by other means of transportation to bring them’.
Meanwhile, inter-state borders will continue to be sealed; and in a “specific regulated manner”, the government is taking a “very careful” step in those areas bordering the other states, he added.
The minister also clarified on allegations of fund received in connection with Covid-19. He said that the state government has received INR 3 crore from North Eastern Council; INR 7.42 crore from government of India; and INR 20.50 crore as SDRF fund (NSDMA).
He also informed that 1,66,655 persons have been screened from entry points. Eight healthcare workers were kept under government quarantine facility, while 6916 are under home quarantine.
Home Commissioner Abhijit Sinha said that the state government will bear all the expenses of the inter-state movements.
In addition to the buses arranged, wherever necessary, more vehicles will be requisitioned, he said. All these things have been worked out and it will be available by Thursday, he added.
On citizens not maintaining social distancing in Kohima, he appealed to the people to understand the importance of social distancing, hand hygiene, and wear masks compulsorily.
Citizens have been encouraged to buy commodities from the nearest points to avoid crowding.