agaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio. (Morung File Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | June 16
The state government ‘knowing fully well” ahead that huge expenses would be incurred in tackling the pandemic, decided to reduce government expenditure through various decisions, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio informed on Monday.
The austerity measures include freezing of fresh appointments, 15% cut in selected items of expenditure such as Travelling Entitlements, Office Expenses, Motor Vehicles and Maintenance, freezing of dearness allowances and dearness relief during 2020-21 and pro-rata cut of 15% in the state's own developmental expenditure, he said.
Addressing a press conference in Kohima on June 15, Rio dwelt on various aspects of State’s financial position as a result of the challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
He further said that the state government machinery has been fully engaged since April 2020 in preparations for returnees.
All expenses associated with the management of logistics quarantine facilities were borne by the government along with the support of the churches and the civil society organizations, he said.
In order to provide support and hand holding in locating job opportunities and to meet the training/skilling requirements of returnees and keep track of the citizens going out of the state for employment, the Government has set up a Special Cell in the Labour & Employment Department.
“This will be of great help to our working professionals returning and going out for work,” Rio said.
Stating the government has done the “maximum that is possible in the present circumstances,” he also expressed hope that all citizens will be able to look at things positively and fight this pandemic together instead of wasting time making unsubstantiated allegations.
