DIMAPUR, MAY 21 (MExN): The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) today cautioned that the State’s economy is nearing “disaster” and asked the State Government to come out with a white paper on the plan of growth of the economy.
A press release from the NPCC President, K Therie said that bringing all stranded people into the State would not be enough. “They need to be given jobs too,” it said.
It said that the government should now seriously think of creating jobs to accommodate the unemployed youth and for the stranded returnees. The state should take advantage of the returnee’s experience and upgrade the economy of the state and also help them live with their potentials, it suggested.
Further, the NPCC said the government should realize that the situation is a lesson to be “self-content and have some self-respect.”
“The people of Nagaland are not beggars. It is the State’s Ministers that have made us beggars for visiting all the doors of Union Ministers with their begging bowls. Regional party has taught bribe culture and is responsible for reducing work culture and dignity of labour, while sowing the expectation of vehicles as free gifts upon those who do not have money to buy fuel. People cannot depend on such habits anymore. We need to become self-content and create employment opportunities for all,” the NPCC said.
Hospitality sector cannot be ignored
It meanwhile pointed out that the hospitality services sector, particularly small restaurants, parlours, tourist operators, taxi and auto drivers, etc. cannot be ignored anymore.
“Hospitality Services have suffered the most in the economy, next to migrant workers. Thousands have lost business and tens of thousands have lost jobs in Nagaland State alone. Government must step in to salvage them,” it urged.
As temporary considerations for restaurant owners, the NPCC suggested that the government may give contracts for packed food for quarantine inmates. Those that cannot be given contract works for supply of food, need to be given rations whether they have ration card or not, it added.
It meanwhile asked the State Government “to come out with a white paper on the plan of growth of the economy with its share of the Rs 20 lakh crores economic booster package and Rs 102 lakh crore National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) promised to propel India’s dream of achieving a 5 (five) trillion dollar economy.”
The Congress also asked the government to make loans easier for MSMEs and the agriculture sector.
