Time to talk about Post COVID-19: Kronu

Kronu talking to media persons in Kohima on May 6. (Morung Photo)
 

Our Correspondent
Kohima | May 6

Nagaland’s Planning and Coordination, Land Revenue and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Neiba Kronu on Wednesday said that it is time for the people of Nagaland to talk about post COVID-19 and identify strategies to take the state forward.

“We have to move forward with self sufficiency in food. So, be it farmers, entrepreneurs or be it anyone of us, we have to be more active than before,” Kronu said while talking to media persons here today.

He stressed on the need to move faster and work harder in agriculture and allied sectors and said that in Nagaland “anything can grow.” The climate condition is so good and we should not be lagging behind in agriculture sector, he added.

Kronu said that he had a lengthy interaction with representatives of Entrepreneurs Associates, Organic Connect, YouthNet and others on Tuesday and maintained that the state government is “deeply concerned” for boosting the economy of the state through agri and allied activities.

To assist the farmers and entrepreneurs, government will have a sitting headed by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on May 9 in Kohima, he said.

Fund received from GoI

Kronu said that so far, NEC has provided Rs 3 crore to the state to fight COVID-19 and another Rs 7.42 crore was given to the state by Government of India. Under the State Disaster Response and Mitigation Fund (SDRMF), Rs 20.50 crore was given to the state. 25 per cent of the total amount is to be used to fight COVID-19 crisis, he added.

BSL- 3 lab in Kohima soon

The Minister said that the state government is trying its best to start the functioning of BSL-3 lab in Kohima and it is going on full swing. It is expected to be functional in a few days time, he said.

Kronu also said that BSL-2 equipment have also already arrived in Dimapur.

1, 66, 655 people screened

So far, a total of 1, 66, 655 people have been screened and 6916 persons have been put under home quarantine. He said that there are about 6000 stranded students outside the state and about 15,000 working people and around 300 people who are seeking treatment for various ailments outside the state.