Covid-19: Neiphiu Rio sanctions INR 66 lakh from Chief Minister’s Relief Fund

Our Correspondent
Kohima, March 26 (EMN): Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Thursday sanctioned INR 38 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, to all the district deputy commissioners and medical department for exigency expenses in the fight against the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

Announcing the package on Twitter, the chief minister added that INR 20 lakh will be sanctioned to Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority; and INR 2 lakh each to Naga Students’ Union Bangalore, deputy resident commissioner of Nagaland House, Delhi, Kolkata and Guwahati to help displaced Nagas.    

Rio also reviewed the Covid-19 situation in Nagaland with all the deputy commissioners via video conference on Thursday.

“Having another round of video conference now with the deputy commissioners of all the districts in Nagaland to assess the ongoing situation with regard to Covid-19,” he wrote in another tweet.

Condemns racist attacks

The chief minister also condemned the racial attacks on people from the Northeast region across the country.

“I condemn the racist attacks against the Northeast Indians in the wake of coronavirus pandemic. Covid-19 is a world public security problem,” he tweeted, adding that ‘compassion, understanding and love’ were needed to turn the tide.

“I also take this opportunity to appeal to all sections across the country to be sensitive to all communities and refrain from ostracisation, racial profiling and discrimination. India must move forward as one nation,” he said in another tweet.

Helpline for victims of racism

Taking cognisance of the racial discrimination/harassment faced by the people from Nagaland in other states of the country, Chief Secretary Temjen Toy informed that victims of such incidents could reach out to him.

“Any Naga facing any kind of racial discrimination/harassment in other states may please send me an email at temjemtoy@gov.in giving details. They can also contact my team by phone at 03702291120 or 03702291122 or 1070,” he wrote on Twitter.

Phom, Kronu designated spokespersons

Rio has also designated Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Pangnyu Phom and Minister for Planning and Coordination, Land Revenue and Parliamentary Affairs, Neiba Kronu as spokespersons of Nagaland sate government on various issues concerning the novel coronavirus.