Chief Secretary, Temjen Toy interacted with the media persons about the consolidated revised guidelines on lockdown measures in Nagaland at the Secretariat Conference hall on 4th May 2020.
Toy addressing the press conference said that Nagaland is in the third phase of the lockdown which has extended to another two weeks comes into effect from 4.05.20 with some few relaxation and restrictions as Nagaland falls under the green zones. He stated that Nagaland government had set their own lockdown guidelines incorporating points which are relevant to the state. He remarked the state had allowed inter district movement of migrants and stranded persons in distress which will be done in a regulated manner. He further added that inter district movements of commercial passenger vehicles shall remain barred except vehicle carrying goods.
He also said that taxis and auto rickshaws are allowed to ply with conditions that they carry not more than two and one passengers respectively. He however said that the relaxation of taxis and autos will not be applicable to the 14 border administrative sub divisions namely Dimapur sadar, Nuiland, Dhansaripar, Siethiekema circle, Jalukie, Bhandari, Mangkolemba, Tuli, Tamlu, Naginimora,Tizit, Pfutsero, Meluri and Jakhama. He further informed that DCs have cautioned the taxi drivers and various associations that limiting the numbers of passengers in taxis and auto should not lead to increase in fares.
Toy said that even though Nagaland is in the green zone there is still danger of getting the virus through import of people coming in from outside the state and spreading the virus. He informed that the government is in touch with various states, organization, railways and airlines on how best to bring the stranded people of the state back home.
Also highlighting about the COVID-19 cess imposed on diesel and petrol by the state government Toy reiterated that the amount collect by the cess will be used only for the purpose of addressing the COVID-19. He added that covid cess is done for a good cause and also to bring about transparency the government has intentionally called the imposed cess as COVID-19 cess.
Toy also stated that the Civil Secretariat and Directorates in Kohima and Dimapur and all the Government offices in the Districts will start functioning with attendance of officers of Deputy Secretary and above in the Secretariat and Deputy Director and above in the Directorate and the HODs and immediate junior in the District offices being mandatory. He added that the other categories of officers and staff, a roster system shall be worked out whereby 50% staff attends office every alternate week.
( Esuihangle, IA)
