What has the govt. done to help those affected by lockdown? — NPF

Dimapur, June 6 (EMN): The Naga People’s Front (NPF) questioned the state government about measures being taken during the prolonged lockdown imposed in the state to address issues related to health and economic welfare of the people.

In a statement issued on Sunday, NPF said that the poorer sections of the society were the most affected due to the lockdown and asked the government about programmes and initiatives taken to tackle these issues.

Moreover, it stated that the price of essential commodities was ‘skyrocketing’ and the government has ‘so far remained silent to meet the basic rights of the people’.

It also expressed concern over the rise of Covid-19 cases, ‘which is now slowly transmitting towards the rural areas and unless the Government seriously addresses the economic problem of the people, soon it may account for hunger dead soon.’

“Nevertheless, the Covid-19 virus scare is one of the biggest threats in the entire world at the moment but no Government can let its people go hungry as the earning for many sections of the society has been by paralysed for months due to lock down.

“Therefore, the NPF strongly demanded the PDA Government to immediately address the plight of the people, if not, starvation war will destroy the whole state,” read the statement.

Meanwhile, it has reiterated the demand raised by its legislature wing to set up an inquiry into the government’s financial management during the pandemic.

“The party stands its demand that a detailed White Paper on all the funds received and expenditures incurred thereof from 2020-21 to 2021-22 along with all relevant methodology of grants, processes of procurement, disbursement criteria be published,” it said.

Furthermore, the party has urged the government to ‘sensitise the importance of Covid-19 vaccine and make sufficient availability of the vaccine to the people’.