Dimapur, November 19 (MExN): The NPF party today declared that the recent state Cabinet decision to grant incentives and other privileges to the fourth Estate in the state is not a mere political SOP to gain political mileage during the next state assembly election.
A press release received here from the NPF central office, which was issued through its Associate Press Secretary, Shilumar, termed the Cabinet decision as a historical decision for the fourth estate in the state given the fact that the print media in the state has been the torch bearers of the society even though during its nascent days, it lacked proper and essential equipments, infrastructure and necessary incentives.
In this regard, the release ridiculed the opinion from certain quarters that the recent State Cabinet decision is a mere political sop. “Interestingly some people from certain section perceived and construed the decision of the government as a mere political sop which is totally absurd and irrational,” said Shilumar.
He strongly asserted that the DAN Government under Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio ‘is committed to the cause of people’s welfare, and therefore dismissed any notion that the recent state Cabinet regarding the Forth State has anything to do with the forthcoming assembly election in the state.
“Yes, election is knocking at our doorsteps, but can any Government afford to stall the various developmental programme and policies which had been conceptualized years ahead just because election bell is ringing?” the release questioned.
The release affirmed that the DAN Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, after considered perusal, extended financial incentives and various essential facilities to the journalists, which had been the genuine needs and grievances of the media fraternity in the state.
The NPF took the opportunity to commend the media fraternity for doing a commendable job and remaining a political despite the fact that Nagaland is one of the most sensitive states in the country.
“The fourth Estate in the state has done a commendable job in the form of disseminating the right information without pre-judice, educating the general populace, showcasing the real picture and for maintaining neutrality in trying circumstances,” the release stated.
In this connection, the NPF expressed happiness over the recent decision by the state government to extend monthly operational subsidy to the accredited journalists in the state and termed it as a historic decision for the fourth estate in Nagaland, since no other government in the past was bold and humane enough to consider the pleads and welfare of the journalists.
The NPF central office also expressed happiness over the reported construction of Media Housing Colonies in Kohima and Dimapur, and a Press Club at Kohima which is reportedly under active consideration by the state cabinet. Moreover, the decision of the government to allot rooms at Assembly Hall equipped with modern communication facilities system and to create Journalists Welfare Fund deserves special acclamation, the NPF added.
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