DIMAPUR, MARCH 30 (MExN): The Naga Peoples’ Front (NPF) has questioned the State Government’s move to deduct one-day wages from the employees of certain departments in order to help fund the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
A press release from the NPF Press Bureau on March 29 also expressed disappointment that the salary deduction being done on police personnel as well, adding that “police personnel should come within the parameter of ‘Frontline Workers’ to combat the dreaded global pandemic.”
“ Even though entire State is under total lockdown, the assignments and duties of the police personnel has in no way lessen and therefore their welfare has to be taken into consideration,” it added.
The NPF while lauding the setting up of the CM’s Relief Fund, however suggested that donations to it should be voluntary and nobody should be coerced into contribution.
It further stated that special incentives to the sanitation workers, doctors and nurses and any other individuals or agencies who are engaged in combating the dreaded global pandemic in Nagaland should be awarded by the Government of the day rather than deducting their salaries.
The party also expressed concern over the reported shortage of some essential commodities including rice in many districts of the State.
It suggested that the government use the Rs17 Crore which was withdrawn recently from the VDB matching grant fund for essential commodities and later on reimburse from the Relief Funding on COVID-19 from the Central Government.
The party urged the government to ensure sufficient of supply of essential commodities to the common people by using government revenues from GST.
