Govt to give Rs.10k to people stranded outside state

 

In what seems to be an attempt to discourage citizens from returning to the State, Nagaland government has announced a onetime financial relief of Rs 10,000 to stranded citizens choosing not to return.

Speaking to Nagaland Post over telephone, chief secretary Temjen Toy confirmed that the State government would be providing Rs 10,000 only to those “genuine” stranded citizens of Nagaland who chose to stay back at the places they are currently located.

He said the financial assistance would be given to those who had registered on the website (iamstranded.nagaland.gov.in.) and chose not to return.

Toy mentioned that those who wished to stay back have to declare it on the website, adding the government would release the money after screening. He claimed systems had been put in place to check fraudulent claims and punish “dishonest opportunists”.

Appreciating and endorsing the appeals of several civil society organisations (CSOs) to citizens of Nagaland stranded outside the State not to return, unless unavoidable, the chief secretary cited examples of other States that witnessed an increase in COVID-19 positive cases after allowing stranded people to enter.

He maintained that the government was working on plans to bring in stranded citizens in a staggered manner, keeping in view the State’s limitations in infrastructure for quarantine and other resources.

However, he regretted that the Centre’s announcement to allow special train services had “thrown these plans out of gear”, adding that the government had now started to work on a new standard operating procedure (SOP) so that required quarantine and other protocols were put in place before the arrival of the stranded and distressed citizens into the State.

Toy claimed that the government was working to arrange special trains for those who want to return home. He, however, said first priority would be given to senior citizens and patients who had gone for medical treatment, distressed persons and those facing difficulties during repatriation.

He admitted that returning of these stranded citizens would be a matter of great concern and challenge for the State, which had fortunately remained COVID-19-free so far.

Asked whether the government would quarantine those who returned back, Toy replied that anyone who returns would have to go through a mandatory quarantine in government quarantine facilities, initially either in Dimapur or Kohima. He, however, added that since the situation changes every day, these guidelines would be subject to the changing situations.

“Every day the situation is changing. We cannot say for sure. Decisions will be taken keeping in mind the situation,” he stressed.

When asked whether the government had any plan post lockdown, Toy responded, “Lockdown cannot go on indefinitely. Someday or the other, we have to get used to the new normal. But the lockdown cannot be lifted abruptly. Relaxations have to be made in a calibrated manner keeping in mind the overall public health.”

On containing the spread of COVID-19 outbreak and reviving the State’s economy, the chief secretary explained, “Life is very important but then livelihood is also very important. Since COVID-19 is here to stay, at least for some time, we have to maintain a balance.”