Dimapur, May 20 (MExN): The Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) on May 20 issued a press statement in response the opposition NPF’s statement on the government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The NDPP termed it unfortunate that the principal opposition party of the state had taken undue advantage of the prevailing situation of the global pandemic to make personalised attacks on the Chief Minister.
It said that it is disheartening that the opposition NPF also dragged in the local media houses by accusing them of having “failed to cover and report allegations and misinterpretation of the meeting”.
“Such callous and immature behaviour is unbecoming of the oldest regional party who are supposed to be playing the role of a ‘responsible’ opposition party,” the NDPP stated.
Clarifying that the party is against resorting to ‘paper wars’ during these uncertain and trying times, the NDPP also said that the accusations raised by the opposition need to be addressed so as to clear the confusion in the minds of the people if any.
At times like these, it is not possible to gather people and organisations to highlight what the state is experiencing and going through. In this regard, the CM and Deputy CM along with their colleagues on their official visits, have made it mandatory to have an inclusive approach and took the opportunity to fully brief the civil societies on the overall scenario of the State in a transparent and inclusive manner, the NDPP stated.
Questioning if the opposition NPF has already forgotten how a government is run in the span of just two year, the NDPP said that “such belligerent, malicious and un-confounded statements made to mislead and confuse the people” during the pandemic is “most unfair and irresponsible of the Opposition NPF.”
Responding to the NPF’s comment on the cess on fuel implemented by the government of Nagaland, the NDPP reminded that the decision made Nagaland the first State in the country to come up with the novel idea. “The PDA leadership should in fact be commended on this decision since it led to the nation adopting a similar move days after Nagaland introduced this concept,” it added.
Being a revenue deficit state, solely dependent on the government of India for funding, it is only through such initiatives that we can increase the states own resources, NDPP clarified.
It pointed out that the cess is called ‘COVID Cess’, because the revenues realised from this cess will be used solely for COVID and heath related expenditure. “Many have disapproved and cast aspersions on this move by the Government, however, the advantages of such a decision will be realised once those revenues are utilised for development of heath and heath related activities in the state,” it added.
Stating that the pandemic has taught us the need to move out of the salary economy and focus on agriculture and allied sector, the NDPP welcomed the decision of the State Government in instituting a Strategic Committee for Economic Affairs. The State Government is also undertaking several austerity measures aimed at saving the State exchequer from wasteful expenditure, it informed.
NDPP also stated that certain individuals have taken to social media to spread hatred, slander and evil thoughts. “While we respect freedom of speech, expression and opinion, it is paramount to keep in mind that these freedoms come with responsibility. Such utterances are highly condemnable and well and truly unbecoming,” it added.
The NDPP reiterated that this is no time to politicize the pandemic but to work together to combat the pandemic and ensure the safety of stranded Nagas as well as the entire citizenry.
