By Imna Longchar
Dimapur (Nagaland), June 7: The People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA), Nagaland, on Monday said that it has deliberately abstained from being drawn into the “media confrontation” as it is not only“undesired” during such a time of global crisis but also feels that it is irresponsible to a “media war” for mere publicity.
Stating that there are forums and avenues to address all concerns and it needs to be highlighted that the PDA Government has been performing on a “war footing” against the COVID-19 pandemic but in transparent manner, the PDA through its Media Cell said that financial managements and usage of public funds are all available on the websites of the concerned departments and there are also democratic avenues through platforms like RTI.
The PDA Media Cell also said that while it is the Government’s bounden duty to makes its performances and duties transparently known to people, it is also the responsibility of those questioning to ensure that allegations are substantiated and based on facts.
“Statements should not be made just for the sake of criticism or for creation of sensationalism, especially at a time like now, when we all need to unite as one to overcome the challenges that we face every hour,” said the PDA media Cell while adding that the constructive suggestions and highlighting of the challenges by opposition is well appreciated and the concerned government departments are seriously following up on the matters that have been flagged, however, it said that the situation demands that responsible parties and senior leaders should conduct themselves accordingly if they are to gain the respect of the masses.
Stating that PDA’s attention has been drawn by press releases and statements being made by its “opposition friends”, criticizing the government and making several false allegations of late, it stated that while constructive criticism is appreciated and welcomed, it is unbecoming of responsible parties and senior leaders to simply make “wild allegations” without any authenticity merely to get media attention.
It said that the recent statement “starvation war” by the opposition was indeed worrisome as it was an action that is inciting public feelings and actions towards possible disorderly “acts and chaos” in society, the media cell said that the responsible citizens of the State could judge such irresponsible conduct coming from those claiming to be responsible parties and senior leaders.
Further, the PDA media cell has claimed that the State Government despite implementing lockdown had made all possible efforts to ensure that economic activities are not severely hampered, National
Highways, inter-district movements, economic activities, construction works and essential services were allowed to continue while adhering to SOPS while home delivery and courier services, hardware establishments, movement of construction materials were all permitted.
It also informed that Government offices and public establishments have functioned by strictly following SOPs so that there are no shortfalls in administration and governance.
While restrictions do cause inconveniences, all possible efforts have been made to ensure that economic activities were not completely shut down, the PDA media cell added.
Disclosing that the Government has also made arrangements throughout the State to address any issue of distressed people under the aegis of the District Task Force (DTF), the PDA media cell also said that since the beginning of the COVID pandemic in 2020, the Government has established DTFs in every districts and elected members of both the treasury and opposition benches, including representatives of civil societies were incorporated in the DTFs, therefore, concerns of any section could have been transparently addressed through the DTFs instead of making unconfirmed allegations through the media.
Meanwhile, the PDA Government, Nagaland, has extended its appreciation to all sections of the people for their positive cooperation towards observation of lockdown, thereby, continuing to lower thepandemic graph in the State in its collective efforts to combat the global pandemic.
“The maintenance of lockdown and the fight against the COVID-19 disease is not only the government’s responsibility but it is a collective battle all over the world and we appreciate the Naga people for bearing with the inconveniences and making sacrifices round for each other’s safety,” said the PDA media cell.
Also extending its “special appreciation” to all the frontline workers especially the medical fraternity who continue to make significant sacrifices round the clock to keep the citizens of the State safe, the media cell said it felt “blessed and motivated” by the contributions of the Churches, civil societies, tribal hohos, NGOs and all other sections.
Further, the PDA has also expressed its condolences to all those who have lost their loved ones during the pandemic.
