DIMAPUR, MAY 10 (MExN): The Naga People’s Front (NPF) Legislature Party has criticized the Nagaland State Government for its “mishandling” of the COVID-19 pandemic and said that the PDA Government was “unprepared.”
“This government seems to have learnt nothing from the first wave which we all faced last year. The excuse that other developed nations and Indian States are also finding it difficult to contain this virus should no longer be parroted by the government as a result of its own inefficiency,” said a press release from the Spokesperson of the NPF Legislature Party, Imkong L Imchen.
The NPF expressed fear that “people of the State will soon be faced with a huge challenge to even provide basic amenities for the COVID-19 patients.”
It pointed out that Dimapur, which has the highest number of COVID cases, has two designated COVID Hospitals which is not sufficient to meet the demand for beds with uninterrupted oxygen supply for patients who require hospitalisation.
“What could be the fate of other district COVID hospitals?” the NPF questioned. It acknowledged that a total lockdown “should be the last resort,” however stressing that this may be the only option left for Dimapur and Kohima districts given the alarming rise in cases.
The NPF informed that the Leader of the Opposition had “pointed out that the second wave or third wave will not emanate from within the State but rather the danger is from those coming into the State unmonitored from other States.” This was during the all party meet called by the Governor on April 21. He had suggested that all the interstate entry points, railway station and airport should be well equipped to manage the incoming passengers while also insisting on COVID negative reports for entry into the State.
“We appreciate the efforts of the central government for providing the equipment for setting up of oxygen generating plants in the state and the Indian Air Force for assisting in lifting it to the State. With the hope that the supply of oxygen would be greatly augmented once these plants are set up, it is pertinent to designate more hospitals for taking care of the COVID-19 patients and also improve the infrastructure at a greater pace,” the NPF said.
It expressed concern that though the Central Government has been sanctioning funds in the name of the pandemic, “yet there is still no significant improvement in the health care facilities in the State.”
“This government seems to find enthusiasm only in attaining more personal wealth siphoning off funds and withdrawing from the State exchequer in the guise of additional funds for development thus rapidly increasing the burden of fiscal deficit in the State,” the NPF alleged.
It stated that the government should be more proactive to tend to the needs and listen to the cries of the people “rather than amassing wealth.”
The NPF further said the vaccination drive, though not mandatory, should be immediately carried out for free as announced by the Chief Minister. “For every problem and obstacle, it is becoming a norm of the Chief Minister to go begging for funds which is unprecedented and speaks volume about the mismanagement of the State finances,” it added.
The party also demanded transparency in the use of the funds generated by the 20% pro rata cuts on non development funds in order to fight the pandemic. “The amount collected and the end-result on utilisation of such revenue generated at the cost of the common men is kept hidden. This is against the very spirit of transparency and accountability,” it said.
To prepare for another wave of the virus, the NPF urged the State Government to ramp up the required infrastructures in all the designated COVID hospitals. “A government is in place for the good functioning and well-being of the people and not otherwise,” it said.
