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Vol XXX No. 148
DIMAPUR, TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2020 Pages 8 ` 4.00
Trump pushes for economic reopening
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international, Page 6
DoHFW under RTI scanner
Staff Reporter
D I M A P U R , M AY 4 (NPN): Not satisfied with the reply given by the Department of Health & Family Welfare (DoHFW) to their RTI application filed on April 25, the four applicants have reportedly moved for specific replies to their queries. The four applicants—Niketu Iralu, Robert N Solo, Kuolachalie Seyie and Visedel Kin— sought information from the DoHFW on how much money was received by the department for COVID19 preparedness and how much was spent. Most sur prisingly, it was disclosed that the DoHFW had provided information about purchases etc pertaining only to the period after March 20, 2020. The applicant further added that purchases and expenditure pertaining to the period prior to March 20, 2020 was not made available by the DoHFW. In the first application, the four had sought information on how much money was received for COVID-19 preparedness and how much was spent
for every specific item etc. According to the reply given by the DoHFW, a total of Rs.41,43,88,000 was received till April 25,2020 and of which, Rs.12,27,24,000 was the expenditure to contain COVID-19 pandemic. The DoHFW further stated that the balance remaining was Rs.29,16,64,000. However, the DoHFW added that an amount of Rs.30,50,26,000 crore “payment due” and the projected deficit was Rs.1,33,62,000. As per the figure above, (A) Money received - (B)Purchases =(C) balance(Rs.29,27,24,000). According to the DoHFW, it still needs Rs.1,33,62,000 (deficit) to make a total payment due Rs.30,50,26,000. The question is, why can’t Rs.29,27,24,000 crore be released against Rs.30,50,26,000 crore payment due, instead of keeping it pending just for a deficit of Rs.1,33,62,000? The RTI also sought to know whether a Procuring Board (PB) was in place to decide on terms and conditions for indent of PPE, ventilators, masks, surgi-
cal gloves, drugs, name(s) of registered suppliers/ manufacturers and whether a Quality Control Committee (QCC) was also in place to specify the desired quality, to inspect the items supplied and receive them? One of the applicants told Nagaland Post that the replies appeared vague and at times quite confusing which led to suspicion that it was an attempt at cover up. It was also disclosed that the quality of PPE was not of desired standard and which also bore testimony to the hue and cry raised earlier by COVID-19 medical team. It may also be noted that some of the private hospitals have opted to use PPE of their choice as the PPE provided by the government were found to be “very ordinary” and not of good quality. Another shocking revelation was that drugs/ medicines supplied were purchased with hardly a month before expiry. The RTI applicant said it was left to anyone’s conclusion as to the compelling reasons for purchase of large quantities of nearly-
expired medicines. Another revelation from the applicant was that the Dead Body Bags (DBBs), which were meant to place bodies of COVID19 victims for disposal, were of very inferior quality. It was disclosed that the DBBs looked like ordinary cement bags. The stitches were also very loose and porous and would prove highly risky when body fluids escape through them. It was also believed that all the decisions and purchases etc were done without following proper procedures through table tenders from pre-selected firms. The applicant said it would be another matter if purchases were indented at approved rates and quality from genuine manufacturers. Further, it was also disclosed that as the replies to the RTI were totally unsatisfactory, the applicants will submit representations to the Governor and the Lokayukta. It was also revealed that another party has already decided to take up the matter in the form of PIL in the high court.
nagalandpostofficial nagalandpostofficial
Migrant workers return to Assam from Nagaland DIMAPUR, MAY 4 (PTI): Over 100 migrant workers from Assam who were stranded in Nagaland due to lockdown have returned to their home state on Sunday, officials said. A district health official in the surveillance team deployed at New Field Check gate border of Nagaland and Assam said that around 100 people mostly daily wage earners hailing from neighbouring Assam crossed over to the other side on Sunday, while the number is likely to increase. He said that more than 500 fitness certificates have already been issued to migrants workers from Assam and also those hailing from north Indian states. Meanwhile, SDPO Bokajan sub-division under Karbi Anglong of Assam, John Das who was present at the gate monitoring the movement of people, informed that those returning from Nagaland will be kept in quarantine for 14 days before they are allowed to travel to their respective homes. He, however, said that those hailing from other North Indian states will not be allowed to enter Assam.
Cong will bear cost of migrant rail travel: Sonia national, Page 5
COVID-19 deaths rise to 1,389 in India NEW DELHI, MAY 4 (PTI): The death toll due to COVID-19 rose to 1,389 and the total number of cases climbed to 42,836 in the country on Monday, registering an increase of 83 deaths and a record jump of 2,573 cases in the last 24 hours, the Union Health Ministry said. The number of active COVID-19 cases stood at 29,685, while 11,761 people have recovered and one patient has migrated, it said. “Thus, around 27.45 per cent people have recovered so far from the disease,” a senior health ministry official said. The total number of COVID19 cases also include 111 foreign nationals.
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DIMAPUR, MAY 4 (NPN): State chief minister, Neiphiu Rio, Monday launched Nagaland COVID19 Helpline to address challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic in the state. According to an official bulletin, the chief minister said that the dedicated helpline 1800 345 0019 would provide medical assistance to potential COVID-19 cases and other health concerns. Any citizen suffering from COV1D-I9 symptoms or any other health conditions could call this helpline. The service is completely free of cost. For COVID-l9 specific telemedicine, Rio said the state has partnered with Project Step One. He said that through this facility citizens
UPSC defers exam
NEW DELHI, MAY 4 (PTI): Civil services preliminary exam, scheduled to be held on May 31, has been deferred due to nationwide lockdown and the new date will be decided later this month, Union Public Service Commission has said.
This is it!
“Let me be frank. Other groups have also added CORONA Tax and I can’t help.” K Y M C
can stay at home and consult a doctor on the phone and take advice. The same service is available for any other health concern including general counselling etc. which would be handled by state health professionals. Rio also said that the state government was grateful to all the medical professionals, both private and government sector, who have come forward voluntarily to offer their services free of cost. He called upon doctors willing to provide their services voluntarily in the fight against COVID-19 to register themselves on: https://www.projectstepone.org/volunteer OR email credentials to the Department of H&FW Nagaland at pddhf@gmail.com.
last 21 days. In an order, the deputy commissioner (DC) Dimapur, Anoop Khinchi, has allowed opening of all shops including shops in residential complex and market complexes except shops at multi-brand and single brand malls outside the limits of municipalities and town councils. DC also allowed opening of all shops including neighbourhood shops and standalone shops, shops in residential complexes within the limits of municipalities and town councils except shops in market complex and multi-brand and single brand malls. The order stated that shops would function with 50% strength of workers wearing masks and maintaining social distancing. The shops would remain open only from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. However, all shops at New Market, Hong Kong Market, Hazi Park, Mil-
Nagaland COVID status: Results of 29 awaited D I M A P U R , M AY 4 (NPN): Nagaland has so far sent 708 COVID suspected samples for testing, out of which 679 samples have tested negative. The results for the remaining 29 samples are awaited, state government spokesperson and minister Planning & Coordination, Land Revenue, Parl Affairs Neiba Kronu informed.
lennium market, Railway bazaar and vegetable market at Purana Bazar would remain closed. All weekly bazaars would also continue to remain closed. Shops at Nyamo Lotha Road and MP Road have been allowed remain open from 9am to 2pm as per the guidelines issued by the chief secretary. Wholesale market of essential commodities would continue to operate from designated godowns while wholesale vegetable market would continue to operate from Supermarket area. All public transportation including autorickshaw, cab services would remain prohibited. It reiterated that salons, dine-in restaurants, eateries and departmental stores would continue to remain closed. However, home deliveries from dinein restaurants food outlets and delivery of online order of essential commodities
Lockdown 3.0: State govt issues revised guidelines Correspondent
KOHIMA, MAY 4 (NPN): Even as the third phase of nationwide lockdown came into effect on Monday and with Nagaland being categorised under “green zone”, the State government issued a new set of lockdown guidelines. Announcing this before the media at civil secretariat’s conference hall here on Monday, chief secretary Temjen Toy said inter-district movement of migrants and stranded persons in distress would be allowed in a regulated manner under the new norms. However, inter-district movement of commercial passenger vehicles would continue to remain prohibited, barring goods carriage, he added. (Complete details on www.nagalandpost.com & E-paper in PDF) Also, under the new guidelines, taxis and auto
rickshaws will be allowed to ply, but on the conditions that they would carry not more than two and one passengers respectively. However relaxation on movement of taxis and autos will not be applicable in 14 border administrative subdivisions of Dimapur sadar, Nuiland, Dhansaripar, Siethiekema circle, Jalukie, Bhandari, Mangkolemba, Tuli, Tamlu, Naginimora, Tizit, Pfutsero, Meluri and Jakhama. Toy said deputy commissioners (DCs) had cautioned taxi drivers and various associations that limiting the numbers of passengers in taxis and autos should not lead to increase in fares. He clarified that the new rules would be applicable only for local taxis as the State government was yet to take a call on zonal taxis. All schools, colleges, educational, training, coach-
ing institutions, hospitality services, cinema halls, shopping malls, gymnasiums, sports complexes, assembly halls will remain closed. All social, political, sports, cultural, religious functions and other gatherings continue to remain prohibited. He mentioned that during his video conference with the DCs he had instructed them to ensure that people travelling within the State to their respective villages were not disturbed as Nagaland was in green zone and warned of action, if people were not allowed. Mentioning that sealing of borders (inter-state and international border) would continue, the chief secretary however said people wishing to leave the State would be allowed, but they would not be allowed to re-enter. He added that the DCs had been instructed to ensure that until and unless
certain relaxations were made, such entries should not be allowed. For the time being, he said districts would be using NST buses by following the standard operating procedures (SOPs) that were being worked out, adding those who did not own vehicles could travel in NST buses and the cost would be borne by the State government, whose details would be released by end of this week. Toy said civil secretariat and directorates at Kohima and Dimapur and all State government offices across all the districts too would start functioning with attendance of officers in the ranks of deputy secretary and above in the secretariat, deputy director and above in the directorates and heads of departments (HoDs) and immediate juniors in district offices being mandatory. (Cont’d on p-5)
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status REPORT AS ON may 5, 2020 North East Nagaland Assam Manipur Meghalaya Mizoram Arunachal Pradesh Tripura
Nagaland COVID-19 helpline launched Sec 144 CrPC relaxed in Dmu; containment scaled down D I M A P U R , M AY 4 (NPN): District magistrate and commissioner of police (CP) Dimapur, Rothihu Tetseo, has relaxed the earlier promulgation order under Section 144 CrPC in Dimapur district. In an order, CP Dimapur stated promulgation of 144 CrPC would continue and would be enforced from 5pm to 6am till May 17, 2020 during which assembly/movement of five and more persons would be strictly prohibited. CP stated that exempted list would remain the same as issued in the earlier orders. CP warned that violation of the order would tantamount to punitive punishment Under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code. Containment zone scaled down: Dimapur district administration has scaled down the containment zone at Dimapur town and restricted to only Thakurbari area in absence of any positive cases for the
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would be permitted. The proprietors of the shops and establishments allowed to open would make arrangements for keeping hand sanitizer or providing facilities for hand washing with soap and water for the public as well as for their own staff workers. They should also get the door handles, surfaces and other objects frequently touched by people to be regularly cleaned and disinfected. However, as specified in the lock down measures, national COV1D-19 directive and standard operating procedure protocol for social distancing must be ensured. Any person violating the order would be liable to be proceeded against as per the provisions of Section 51 to 60 of the Disaster Management Act 2005 besides legal action under Section 188 of the IPC. The order comes into with effect from May 5, 2020.
Ao bodies relax restrictions in Mkg MOKOKCHUNG, MAY 4 (NPN): Three apex bodies of the Aos – Ao Senden, Watsu Mungdang and Ao Kaketshir Mungdang – have in a joint statement announced relaxation of certain restrictions in Mokokchung district. This followed the State government issuing new lockdown guidelines and Nagaland being categorised under green zone vis-à-vis COVID-19 pandemic. Extending appreciation to villages in border areas for being sincere in sealing the borders, the three apex Ao bodies also appealed to them to continue their efforts for completely sealing the borders. The organisations further urged villages and wards in urban areas to relax the lockdown by opening their village gates.
Confirmed Recovered Nil 43 2 12 1 1 16
Nil 32 2 10 Nil 1 2
Death Nil 1 Nil 1 Nil Nil Nil
NCPA, ANGCTA, ANCSU not in favour of reopening colleges DIMAPUR, MAY 4 (NPN): Nagaland College Principals Association (NCPA), All Nagaland Government College Teachers’ Association (ANGCTA) and All Nagaland College Students’ Union (ANCSU) have affirmed that it was not advisable to reopen the colleges until such time the state government ensured the safety of the students, teachers and other stakeholders. In a joint statement, the three associations said this was decided at a joint meeting of its executive members held at Kohima Science College, Jotsoma on May 4, 2020. The decision arrived after taking into consideration the current critical situation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they said. Further, they affirmed that the Nagaland University Academic Calendar vis-à-vis the respective Academic Calendars of the Autonomous Colleges, be followed to facilitate continuous academic activities towards students’ progression. Meanwhile, the three associations stated that the students, teachers and colleges affiliated to Nagaland University were anticipating further directive from the University.
CNTC urges govt to monitor distribution of relief items
DIMAPUR, MAY 4 (NPN): Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC) has urged the State government to look into reports of malpractices and misappropriation of relief materials meant for daily wage earners and those living below poverty line during the lockdown period. Stating that it was disheartened to learn about all this, the council termed the conduct as disgrace to Christian principles and morality. According to CNTC, there were reports from various quarters that rice allotments and relief package of essential items of State disaster management agencies, NGOs and various groups distributed for the poor were being misappropriated by many village and colony councils. Many affluent people, including families of (Cont’d on p-5) government officials, were
availing these benefits meant for the underprivileged section, due to which shortages were also being witnessed during distribution of these materials, it alleged. CNTC called for discarding such “shameful and repugnant habits, if we consider ourselves as true Christians and set examples to others”. Mentioning that “our” Christian principles had been compromised and greatly tarnished for just some morsel of rice grains or some few essential items by those who are doing these practices, CNTC asked the Naga people to desist from such corrupt ways. It also appealed to churches to preach against these fraudulent practices, while encouraging the people to be honest and uphold the Christian principles during these challenging times. K Y M C