DIMAPUR, APRIL 1 (MExN): The Nagaland Public Rights Awareness and Action Forum (NPRAAF) has appealed to the people of Nagaland to support the state Government to combat the COVID-19 pandemic by donating to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund and by staying at home obeying the call of 21 day’s lockdown by the Prime Minister of India.
“This is not the time to be critical against the state Government but to join hands with the Government. the pandemic of this magnitude will not be easy to overcome without people's cooperation,” a press release from the NPRAAF stated.
It meanwhile acknowledged the Nagaland Government for sanctioning Rs 17.5 Crore to the Village Development Boards (VDBs) for procurement of basic necessities to combat the pandemic.
It however pointed out that it is not possible to procure anything anywhere at this juncture when the cities and towns are locked down only to open for limited time to enable the people to buy essentials.
Moreover, considering that there are over 1430 villages in Nagaland the amount sanctioned is too meager if divided, the NPRAAF said that it would have been better if the government arranged measures to help the villages with the basic needs and commodities instead of money.
It meanwhile appealed to the Nagaland Medical Dealers Association (NMDA) to reconsider shutting down medical shops indefinitely starting from April 1 during this difficult time, as it will affect many sick people. It is unwise to make the sick innocent suffer for alleged harassment meted out by the unspoken authorities, the NPRAAF stated. It urged all authorities not to harass medical shops as they are rendering lifesaving services.
NPRAAF has also pledged to donate Rs 30,000 to Chief Ministers Relief Fund.
