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Social policies almost always have multiple often unintended consequences. This feature of social policy became quite apparent when Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared a nationwide lockdown on March 22, 2020 without announcing a simultaneous relief package. The days that followed after the lockdown was announced brought to light an ugly truth that exists in Indian society- a large number of the country’s population is not financially equipped to withstand a five-week lockdown. On March 26, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a relief package of INR 1,70,000 crore to help fight the Covid-19. She emphasised that the package was mainly aimed at shielding those in need during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. The package consists of a mixture of food security and direct cash transfer benefits. Correspondingly, various state governments have announced relief packages for their respective states in order to combat some of the rippling impacts of India’s lockdown policy.
The Nagaland government too has undertaken a number of measures to mitigate the impacts of the lockdown. Initially, the government announced INR 38 lakh from the CM Relief Fund, INR 20 lakh from the Nagaland State Disaster Management Agency, INR 2 lakh each for various student unions across India, 35,500 QTL of rice to be given to all those requiring assistance including villages whose supply of essential commodities are affected and various other commitments. The latest update on the Nagaland Government Covid-19 website shows that INR 2.32 crores have been disbursed thus far. On Monday, April 20, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio further announced a special package for distressed/stranded citizens outside Nagaland and also assured ex gratia coverage for Covid-19 frontline workers. It was the much-required special package announcement that gripped Nagaland’s population. It was reported that due to the sheer magnitude of traffic to the site, the designated website had to be put under maintenance to improve services.
The rush to the IAMSTRANDED website signals a number of points: The excitement of public to a first from the Nagaland government to provide financial aid directly to the citizens during a crisis situation, the number of Nagaland citizens in distress and stranded outside the state requiring assistance and possibly a number of people who may be attempting to fraud Nagaland from funds meant for those truly in need. Only those citizens of Nagaland who are presently outside the state, as a student, working professional, or patient facing hardship because of the nationwide lockdown and unable to sustain themselves or get assistance from family because of poor economic conditions should apply for the government aid. It is clarified by the government that giving bank account details alone doesn’t assure assistance, the funds will be extended only after due verification. It is important to note that giving false information or any fraudulent documents will be dealt under relevant sections of law. It is now a mammoth task of the Nagaland government’s Covid-19 team to examine, separate and disburse the funds. It is crucial at this moment of emergency that humanity prevail. The Covid-19 pandemic that we are all currently experiencing may change life as we know it; at this point in time we are uncertain when and where a vaccine will be developed. Relief work and various other governmental and non-governmental programmes may be the difference between life and death and must be implemented in the same spirit as they are announced. Utmost sincerity is required from the Prime Minister, Chief Minister, Health Minister, department officials, DCs, frontline workers and yes, even us citizens.